5 wild Michigan memes cracking up the internet after loss to Big Ten star Oregon

The Michigan Wolverines, under first-year coach Sherrone Moore, are the defending national champions but have been floundering this season after losing 18 first-team members from last season's unbeaten team. The downward trend continued on Saturday in college football action as the Wolverines (5-4, 3-3 Big Ten) were downed 38-17 by the top-ranked Oregon Ducks.

The Wolverines had no answer for Heisman trophy favorite Dillon Gabriel. The quarterback tormented their defense with seven plays of 20 or more yards. He went 22 of 34 for 294 yards and one touchdown passing and added 23 yards and one TD rushing.

It threatened to be a blowout with the Wolverines trailing 28-10 at halftime, but a respectable second half stabilized the score. During his postgame conference, Moore expressed admiration for his team's battling spirit.

"That was awesome to watch those guys in the second half, the energy, the excitement that they brought," Moore said. "But we got to start that way, you know.

"And offense went down, 10-play drive, scored. So you felt the momentum going and defense comes back, and another big stop. So you felt that momentum. But we got to finish."

College football fans on X posted hilarious memes after the Michigan loss. Here are some of them.

Michigan faces crucial November schedule

For the first time since the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season, the Michigan Wolverines (5-4, 3-3 Big Ten) are unranked in November. With games against the high-flying and eighth-ranked Indiana Hoosiers (9-0, 6-0), the Northwestern Wildcats (4-5, 2-4) and the third-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes (7-1, 4-1) still to come, the Wolverines have a high-powered final month of the regular season.

During his postgame news conference, embattled coach Sherrone Moore detailed the importance of the Wolverines' November schedule.

"Last year, we had a crazy November stretch," Moore said. "Nobody remembers October. They remember November. Just got to go out and show out every week. Every game is important from this point on."

The Wolverines' quarterback issues still persist after seventh-year QB Jack Tuttle announced his resignation due to several concussions last week. Alex Orji and Davis Warren will continue to share duties until the end of the season.

The bare minimum for Michigan will be clinching bowl eligibility. The season has already been written off as a disaster by Wolverines fans as they get to grips with the loss of former coach Jim Harbaugh and a big chunk of the roster to the NFL.