Michigan football is no longer sitting atop the college football world.
No. 3 Texas blew out the defending national champion Wolverines, 31-12 at the Big House in one of the biggest nonconference games of the 2024 season. Michigan suffered its first loss since the 2022 College Football Playoff to TCU, and first regular-season loss since the thrilling 2021 October battle at Michigan State.
The Longhorns now leave Ann Arbor by staking their claim to be the nation's No. 1 team in the rankings next week.
Check out the game recap from Michigan Stadium below.
Michigan vs. Texas game recap, highlights
Final: Michigan falls to Texas 31-12
Texas took the air out of the ball for most of the second half to sit on the 25-point road lead and walk out of Ann Arbor with a road win over what was a top-10 ranked team. Michigan trailed from start to finish and did not match Texas in the trenches or on the edge. Michigan finished without a sack on defense and did not score a touchdown until the final two minutes of the blowout loss while being outgained 389-284.
Michigan suffered its first loss since the 2022 College Football Playoff and first regular-season loss since the 2021 season.
1:54, 4Q: Davis Warren finds Semaj Morgan for TD; Michigan trails 31-12
Michigan got its first touchdown 58 minutes into the game with the verdict all but decided. In the waning moments of the loss, Michigan put together an eight-play, 78-yard drive that Warren capped off with a 30-yard touchdown to Morgan on a deep crossing route. Morgan was initially ruled down at the 1-yard line, but review determined he reached out and broke the plane.
2:32, 3Q: Davis Warren throws second interception
Michigan gave the ball back on the first play of the next drive. Warren dropped back to pass and got rid of the ball early trying to find Colston Loveland on a seam route. Michigan's tight end never turned for the ball early in the route, and the ball sailed to Texas instead. Derrick Williams Jr. read the pass the entire time and stepped in front to make a diving interception around Loveland to force Michigan's third turnover of the game.
2:39, 3Q: Jaydon Blue finds pylon for Texas TD; Michigan trails 31-6
Texas answered the field goal with a touchdown to add to the lead heading into the final quarter of action. The drive started with a 22-yard completion to Gunnar Helm over the middle, who got enough separation from Makari Paige on the play-action, followed by a 55-yard reverse by Ryan Wingo all the way down to the Wolverines' 3-yard line. Michigan held firm on the first two downs, but lost track of Jaydon Blue out of the backfield on 3rd-and-goal, and the running back got to the pylon, outracing a host of Michigan defenders, to push the lead to 25.
5:28, 3Q: Dominic Zvada hits 52-yard FG; Michigan trails 24-6
One of the few bright spots for Michigan has been the placekicking game for the second straight week. Junior transfer Dominic Zvada split the uprights from 52 yards to cut the lead to 24-6 10 minutes into the second half. Michigan went 41 yards in 9 plays, 24 of which came on a Davis Warren completion to Colston Loveland on a broken play. Warren scrambled and fired across his body to his favorite target for Michigan's longest play of the game. Texas stuffed Michigan on a first and second down run, then took down Alex Orji for a loss on a quarterback run on third down.
Halftime: Texas adds last-second TD, Longhorns lead 24-3 at break
A less than ideal half for Michigan ended in brutal fashion. After Loveland's fumble, Texas used the remainder of the first half game clock and finished the drive with a touchdown pass to Matthew Golden on third-and-goal with 10 seconds left. Golden had 1-on-1 coverage against Aamir Hall and created massive separation on the comeback route to go up three touchdowns entering halftime.
Texas outgained Michigan by nearly 200 yards, 279 to 88, in the first half while winning the turnover battle 2-0. The Longhorns have converted on eight of 10 third downs compared to just one conversion for Michigan while picking up 15 first downs compared to Michigan's four.
0:59, 2Q: Colston Loveland fumbles, Texas recovers
Things are escalating quickly in the wrong direction for Michigan. The Wolverines moved the ball a bit in a two-minute offense to reach near midfield, but coughed the ball up again. On third-and-12, Davis Warren found Colston Loveland on a short route out of the backfield, but Loveland knocked the ball out of his own hand as he tried to make a move and tuck the ball and the ball fell directly into the lap of Texas' linebackers.
2:40, 2Q: Michigan holds Texas to FG after turnover; Texas leads 17-3
Michigan's defense got off the field in a tough spot and held Texas to a field goal to keep the deficit to a two-touchdown margin. Texas moved the ball inside the Wolverines' 10-yard line after the interception, but Michigan stuffed two straight runs up the middle then blanketed every receiver on third down, forcing Ewers to just throw the ball away. Bert Auburn hit his second field goal attempt of the day from 26 yards.
6:50, 2Q: Davis Warren's tipped pass intercepted by Texas
Michigan gave the ball right back to Texas on the third play of the ensuing drive. On third-and-2, Warren dropped back and tried to find Tyler Morris on a hitch just past the first down, but the pass came in high and was knocked up in the air by a Texas defender then pulled down by Andrew Mukuba to give Texas the ball at Michigan's 36-yard line.
8:24, 2Q: Texas' Jerrick Gibson walks into end zone; Texas leads 14-3
Michigan's defense has not been able to slow down the Texas offense so far. The Longhorns went 76 yards in 12 plays, seven of which were runs for positive yards, and ended with a 9-yard touchdown run by Jerrick Gibson. Gibson took a sweep off the left tackle and had a pair of pulling blockers clearing the way for a walk-in touchdown.
10 of the 12 plays on the drive went for at least six yards as Texas' offensive line provided a consistent push against the Michigan front for yards on the ground, while Ewers three of five passes on the drive to keep the chains moving.
13:23, 2Q: Michigan gets on board with FG; Texas leads 7-3
The second possession was far better than the first for Michigan's offense. The Wolverines picked up 55 yards on the 9-play drive with three first downs before getting stopped at the Texas 19-yard line and settling for a 37-yard field goal from Dominic Zvada.
The Wolverines got going on a first-down run from Donovan Edwards, followed by a 22-yard completion to C.J. Charleston over the middle on a flea flicker, followed by a 14-yard run by Edwards that he nearly broke for a house call.
4:14, 1Q: Texas takes 7-0 lead with Gunnar Helm TD catch
The Longhorns' second trip to the end zone will stand this time. After forcing a quick three-and-out on Michigan's first offensive possession, Texas quickly went 56 yards and punched in the first touchdown of the game. The drive started with a 22-yard gain by Helm on a play-action look over the middle that duped Michigan's linebackers, followed by a trio of runs up the middle.
Then, Ewers dropped back to pass on second down from the Michigan 21, climbed the pocket to avoid pressure off the edge and fired an on-the-move strike to Helm over the middle. Helm was wide open behind Michigan's safeties and high-pointed the pass to go up 7-0.
8:58, 1Q: Texas misses FG on opening drive
Texas got the ball first and took six minutes off the clock on an extended drive that lasted 13 plays. The Longhorns moved into Michigan territory on a 33-yard completion to Isaiah Bond on third down, who beat cornerback Jyaire Hill with a double move on the sideline, then he picked up another first on a bubble screen.
On third down from the Michigan 24, quarterback Quinn Ewers bailed out of the pocket and hit DeAndre Moore Jr. for a touchdown, but a holding call against right tackle Cameron Williams took the points off the board. Texas kicker Bert Auburn just pushed the 43-yard kick wide right to keep the game scoreless.
Big House nearly full 25 minutes before kickoff
Fans made sure to get to their seats early for the biggest game of the season so far. The stands were close to filling up 25 minutes before kickoff as both teams returned to the locker room after warmups. There is a noticeable Texas contingent, but Michigan fans have washed out the orange with the Maize-out. There a number of notable Michigan alumni making appearances, such as the Detroit Pistons' Tim Hardaway Jr., and ESPN's 'College Gameday' is set up on the edge of the Texas sideline.
Davis Warren was leading the team again in warmups as the starting quarterback and the Wolverines had the same starting five on the offensive line.
Michigan injury report: QB Jack Tuttle upgraded to questionable
Michigan has three players listed out on theBig Ten Conference availability report: safeties Jaden Mangham and Rod Moore and wide receiver Joe Taylor. Seventh-year quarterback Jack Tuttle was listed as questionable after missing Week 1 with an undisclosed injury.
Ann Arbor ready well before kickoff
The air is cold and crisp and Ann Arbor's streets are full. Hours before kickoff, thousands of Michigan and Texas fans began tailgating and partying to get ready for the early kickoff. The temperature is hovering in the mid-50s, the pregame shows are in full swing, and the people are ready. The Longhorns are well-represented with a bunch of burnt orange in attendance.
Pregame notes
Both Michigan and Texas had to retool the roster in the offseason after reaching the College Football Playoff in January, with each sending double-digit players to the NFL. Texas has a high-powered offense led by quarterback Quinn Ewers; Michigan boasts a testy defense led by cornerback Will Johnson, and the "gift from the football Gods" interior duo of Kenneth Grant and Mason Graham.
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Michigan is one a four-game winning streak against teams ranked in the top 10 dating to last season, with wins over Penn State, Ohio State, Alabama and Washington en route to the national championship. This is Michigan's highest-ranked nonconference home game since it hosted No. 1 Florida State in 1991, and first time entering a home game as an underdog since playing Ohio State in 2021.
Need more proof of this highly anticipated matchup? Both ESPN's "College Gameday" and Fox's "Big Noon Kickoff", college football's main pregame shows on Saturday mornings, are set up in Ann Arbor to capture the scene.
What time is the Michigan vs. Texas game?
- Date:Saturday, Sept. 7.
- Time:12 p.m.
- Where:Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor.
What channel is the Michigan vs. Texas game on?
- Channel:Fox.
- Streaming:Live on Fubo (free trial).
- Radio:WWJ-AM (950) in Detroit (radio affiliatesthroughout the state of Michigan).
Who is announcing the Michigan-Texas game?
- Play-by-play: Gus Johnson.
- Analyst: Joel Klatt.
- Sideline reporter:Jenny Taft.
With "Big Noon Kickoff" in town, Fox brings its top broadcast team to call Michigan vs. Texas. Gus Johnsonis on play-by-play, Joel Klatt is the color commentator and Jenny Taft is sideline reporter.
Michigan vs. Texas predictions
The rain looks like it may hold off, but it's going to feel like a crisp fall day in Ann Arbor with a high around 60 degrees. Derek Jeter will be on hand as honorary captain for Michigan while Matthew McConaughey is expected to make an appearance and represent Texas. ESPN's "College GameDay" and Fox's "Big Noon Kickoff" will add to an incredible environment as the defending national champions try to make an early season statement and fall just short.The pick:Texas 23, Michigan 19. — Tony Garcia, Michigan Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press
Michigan vs. Texas betting odds
Odds courtesy of BetMGM one hour before kickoff.
- Spread:Texas by 6½ points.
- Over/under: 41½ points.
- Moneyline:Texas -250; Michigan +210.
Michigan vs. Texas weather
The forecast in Ann Arbor is projected to be mostly sunny with a high of 71 degrees.
Michigan 2024 schedule
- vs. Fresno State (W 30-10)
- vs. Texas
- vs. Arkansas State
- vs. USC
- vs. Minnesota
- AT Washington
- BYE
- AT Illinois
- vs. Michigan State
- vs. Oregon
- AT Indiana
- BYE
- vs. Northwestern
- AT Ohio State
See Michigan football ticket prices for every game this season
Jared Ramsey is a sports reporter for the Detroit Free Press covering the city's professional teams, the state's two flagship universities and more. Follow Jared on X @jared_ramsey22, and email him at jramsey@freepress.com.
