Not many people defend Jim Harbaugh as much as ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit. It’s something he confesses to, believing that Michigan is in a much more stable situation than under the likes of Rich Rodriguez and Brady Hoke.

Some of that defense is starting to wear off, though. After a 38-21 loss to Indiana on Saturday, Michigan dropped to 1-2 the season. After a convincing win over Minnesota in Week 1, the Wolverines lost to in-state rival Michigan State, which has serious problems of its out.

Herbstreit said it’s not just that Michigan is a 1-2 team right now, it’s how they look that’s really concerning.

“I typically defend Jim Harbaugh and Michigan I did after the Michigan State loss,” Herbstreit said on the CFB Podcast with Herbie, Pollack and Neghandhi. “I thought, hey it’s not a great thing but they’re going to regroup and get ready and show up inspired and play their tails off against Indiana. And we wonder, Tom Allen has his team going in one direction, Michigan feels like they’re going in another. Michigan is more talented, they should prevail, and here comes Tom Allen. A team that was, from the word go, believing.

“Teams aren’t playing Michigan and hoping they can beat them. Indiana looked like they believed they were a better team.”

Michigan’s loss to Indiana marked the first time since 1987 the Hoosiers took down the Wolverines. Herbstreit placed a lot of the blame on defensive effort and scheme in the losses to Michigan State and Indiana.

Herbstreit says it’s not just one area that’s concerning right now.

“Right now, they’re not getting to the quarterback. And when they don’t get to the quarterback and they’re leaving those corners on islands, they’re getting exposed,” Herbstreit said. “Look at the film. Four (Vincent Gray) and 22 (Gemon Green) are out there on islands and guys are beating them. When you give the quarterback time, that’s a tough thing for these corners to live on those islands for two, three, four seconds.

“That combination of lack of a consistent pass rush and struggling in man coverage is really hurting this defense. I’m shocked. After watching them play in their opener against Minnesota, that they’re not only 1-2, but how it feels with them sitting there at 1-2. A lot of questions, and they got to find questions in a hurry.”

Michigan now is scheduled to play a 1-0 Wisconsin team that looked good in its opener against Illinois, but hasn’t stepped on the field in two weeks. If the Wolverines drop a third-straight game, the seat beneath Harbaugh is going to get much hotter.