Michigan is off to its worst start during the Jim Harbaugh era.

The Wolverines haven’t started 1-2 since 2008, the season they finished 3-9 under then-coach Rich Rodriguez — who actually publicly supported Harbaugh after UM’s 27-24 loss to Michigan State.

The 2020 season has not started as anticipated. The Wolverines are in need of a serious jump-start if they hope to finish better than .500. With No. 10 Wisconsin lurking around the corner, it’s time for the Wolverines to correct themselves. They won’t win a B1G title, that much is a given. Right now, it’s about maintaining a level of respect, finishing strong and making the postseason.

Still can’t win big games

It’s outlined in detail in this column, so we won’t waste a lot of space right here. But here is more fuel to the fire. Bottom line, Harbaugh is 0-8 on the road against top-15 opponents. Headed into 2020, Harbaugh was 10-14 overall against ranked teams, 3-3 vs. Michigan State and 0-5 vs. Ohio State.

Michigan was No. 23 heading into this Saturday; it’ll certainly drop out of the top 25 in next week’s rankings. If things continue the way they’re going, the Wolverines could finish the season unranked in the Associated Press poll for just the 7th time since 1985. In 2017, Harbaugh’s third season, the Wolverines entered at No. 11, peaked at No. 7 and didn’t make the top 25 at the end of the season. Only Brady Hoke and Rich Rodriguez had such struggles with finishing being ranked, each owning 2 of the 7 aforementioned instances.

Milton continues to struggle

Joe Milton has taken enough criticism during the past two weeks, so it’s best not to pile on and add more salt to the wound. Despite showing glimpses here and there, the redshirt sophomore continues to struggle with touch and accuracy. Sure, he’s had a pair of 300-yard games — back-to-back, at that — but the yardage hasn’t translated to points or victories.

Against Indiana, he was 18-for-34 for 344 yards, 3 TDs and 2 INT. Against the Spartans, he was 17-for-32 for 300 yards and zero TDs.

Drops have contributed, slightly, to the problem. But most of Milton’s misses are self-inflicted — too short, too tall, behind or thrown too hard.

Big plays are Michigan’s worst enemy

Big plays were supposed to be the Wolverines’ forte in 2020 — well, considering how we all grossly overreacted to their knock-out power vs. Minnesota. That was a short-lived frenzy, though. In Week 2, the Spartans hung 9 passing plays of more than 15 yards on the Wolverines, led by Ricky White. In Week 3, the Hoosiers did the same, only with Ty Fryfogle leading the charge.

It’s not just the secondary, either (which is outlined in detail below). The D-line isn’t getting pressure on QBs and it’s failing to stop the run. Running-wise, big plays are anything 10 yards or better. Those have been regular, but so have the failures on 3rd downs. Indiana ran right at Michigan and didn’t even think twice.

Playmakers aren’t being used when it matters most

Without Ronnie Bell, the Wolverines wouldn’t have even had a glimmer of hope vs. Indiana. Bell, a junior and most experienced in the WR corps, was visibly energetic and determined to do his part against the Hoosiers, who are being talked about as being the second-best team in the Big Ten. Bell had 6 catches on 8 targets, racking up 149 yards — 1 yard shy of a career-high — and a 21-yard touchdown catch.

Bell has been targeted by Milton, but it’s often been too little and too late. Michigan must get Bell rolling immediately in games, rather than relying him to grab a shovel and help dig the Wolverines out of a hole.

The absence of Bell from the limelight is the biggest concern among Michigan’s other problems, namely not using all of the speed and skill available until it’s too late. Blake Corum, a true freshman running back, came into late stages Saturday against Indiana and contributed an exciting 21-yard reception from the flat. He’s fast and elusive, ideal for Michigan’s goal of being “explosive” — yet he’s hardly utilized in prime situations.

In Week 1, TE Erick All was targeted 9 times. He had a couple of drops, leading to being targeted just twice in Week 2 and once in Week 3. All has struggled, so why not go to 5th-year senior Nick Eubanks, who had a 21-yard reception against the Hoosiers. He’s proven that he can make plays in years past and needs to be a bigger part of the TE rotation/offense as a whole.

Secondary is primary concern

Dating back to the final two games of 2019, Michigan’s pass defense has wildly underachieved, giving up 300 yards through the air in 4 of the past 5 games.

That didn’t used to the case. In fact, it was drastically different.

Teams feared the Wolverines’ corners and safeties.

In recent years, the defensive backfield has been patrolled by the likes of Jourdan Lewis, LaVert Hill and Channing Stribling — just to name a few standouts. The Wolverines had a stout pass-pacifying way about them, serving as an ideal complement for strong D-lines and LB corps.

Gemon Green has had a base case of the grab-and-reaches.

Vincent Gray, recognized by Harbaugh as UM’s best CB, has been routinely exploited by quarterbacks who aren’t afraid to throw his way, and by receivers who aren’t afraid to go up and get the ball. Against MSU, Gray was assigned to cover Ricky White, who had 8 catches for 196 yards and 1 TD. Saturday, he covered Ty Fryfogle, who had 7 catches for 142 yards and a TD.  Gray has had issues with holding and grabbing. It’s been a staple of UM’s secondary this year.

Entering Saturday, the Wolverines had the No. 9 ranked passing defense in the B1G. Not in the country, like they have been before, but in their own conference. Once Saturday’s stats are factored into the equation, the Wolverines should drop to No. 11 or 12 in that department.

Michigan needs a breakthrough. Unfortunately, it looks like things will get worse before they get better in Ann Arbor.