It’s not so easy for Michigan without Connor Stalions and the other team’s signals

After Michigan’s 2023 national title and undefeated season, the Wolverines lost Jim Harbaugh and plenty of the team’s roster to the NFL. However, after Michigan’s Week 2 blowout loss to Texas in Ann Arbor, it looks like Connor Stalions may have been the program’s biggest loss. 

Yes, Michigan beat Penn State, Ohio State, Alabama, and Washington after Stallions was removed from the staff, and for regular-season contests, the Wolverines did it without Harbaugh on the sidelines. Still, now that Michigan is starting the season without inside knowledge of their opponent’s offensive signals, it’s obvious how much this defense has regressed. 

On offense, Michigan lost J.J. McCarthy, Blake Corum, and Roman Wilson, but on defense, Sherrone Moore and new defensive coordinator Wink Martindale still have Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant on the defensive line with Will Johnson in the secondary. 

Graham and Grant are an elite defensive line duo, and Johnson could be the best cornerback in the country. They’re all likely 2025 first-round NFL Draft picks, yet in the first half on Saturday, Quinn Ewers and the Longhorns cruised to a 24-3 halftime lead. Before halftime, Ewers threw for 203 yards and two touchdowns on 18/26 passing and the Longhorns converted on eight of 10 third downs. 

Even after struggling with Fresno State at home last Saturday, Michigan came into Week 2 as the No. 10 team in the country, and while the bigger concerns for the Wolverines are on the offensive side of the football, even the Michigan defense doesn’t look College Football Playoff-worthy. 

Harbaugh took defensive coordinator Jesse Minter with him to LA to become the DC of the Chargers, though the biggest loss off the Michigan sideline, and every other sideline in America with a variety of disguises, is Stalions and his cheating manifesto.

Penn State struggled with Bowling Green on Saturday and that's a problem, but after escaping with a 34-27 victory heading into a bye week, Nittany Lions fans can ignore their own team's issues and laugh at Michigan's misery.