Michigan vs. Oregon score, takeaways: No. 1 Ducks stay unbeaten as Wolverines' post-title slide continues

Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel is now one TD away from tying Case Keenum for most all time in a career

No. 1 Oregon easily handled a packed Big House environment to beat Michigan, 38-17, and continued its march to a College Football Playoff berth. 

Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel led the way with 294 yards passing, one passing touchdown and one rushing touchdown off a terrific 23-yard run. He is now one touchdown away from tying former Houston quarterback Case Keenum for the most career touchdowns (178) at the FBS level. The Oregon quarterback, who transferred in from Oklahoma, tied former Sooners and Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts with 26 games with both a passing and rushing touchdown. 

Gabriel's supporting cast delivered in a big way against Oregon. After star receiver Tez Johnson went down early with a shoulder injury and didn't return, Traeshon Holden stepped up for six catches for 149 yards. Between Johnson, Holden and Evan Stewart, Oregon has one of the most dynamic and explosive receiving corps in the country when everything is clicking. The run game worked well Saturday, too, led by Jordan James' 117 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries.

Michigan showed moments against the Ducks, but penalties, poor coaching decisions and inconsistent quarterback play doomed the Wolverines' upset hopes. Davis Warren made some big throws to keep Michigan hanging around – he finished 12 of 21 for 164 yards and two touchdowns – but coach Sherrone Moore continuing to rotate between Warren and Alex Orji didn't always work. Moore's decision to challenge a Colston Loveland catch that was clearly an incompletion on review needlessly burned a timeout. 

The Michigan run game still has problems with Donovan Edwards the lead rusher with 10 carries for 52 yards. 

• Oregon is 9-0 for the first time since 2012 
• Through nine games, Michigan is off to the second-worst start (5-4) following a national championship season in the BCS era. Only LSU starting 4-5 in 2020 is worse than Michigan' 2024 campaign thus far. 
• Oregon scoring 28 first-half points is the most Michigan had given up since 2020

CBS Sports was here throughout the game with updates, analysis and highlights. Read on below for takeaways from Oregon vs. Michigan.

[Nov 2, 2024 at 7:44 pm ET · John Talty]

Gabriel so steady

Dillon Gabriel's extensive experience is a big reason he's on the doorstep of multiple NCAA records, but it's also why you trust him so much in games like this one. 

Oregon really hadn't played a challenging road test this season when it traveled to a raucous Big House environment featuring 110,576 fans. And yet Gabriel never looked rattled and led scoring drives on Oregon's first two offensive possessions. There's a relaxed steadiness to Gabriel that comes with experience and confidence that's so valuable on the road and in big games. Given Oregon's title hopes, it will need much more of that the rest of the season.

The final offensive drive of the first half might have best illustrated why Oregon was so smart to pluck Gabriel out of the portal away from Oklahoma. Gabriel connected with Traeshon Holden for a 44-yard gain and followed it up with what was one of the most impressive touchdowns you'll ever see to Evan Stewart, only for it to be called back because of an ineligible player downfield.

No problem, Gabriel composes the offense, gets a first down on a 15-yard pass to Terrance Ferguson and then scores from 23-yards out on a terrific run. That touchdown was the backbreaker for Michigan and ended any real comeback efforts it had now down 28-10 at halftime. 

Gabriel isn't the flashiest quarterback and may not rack up ridiculous stats every game -- 294 passing yards and two total touchdowns isn't too shabby, though -- but the experience and intangibles he brings to the position are why Oregon is in such a great position headed into the final stretch of the regular season. 

[Nov 2, 2024 at 7:28 pm ET · John Talty]

Is QB answer on Michigan's roster?

Michigan again rotated quarterbacks Saturday though Davis Warren received the bulk of the reps and looked like the better option, at least on passing downs. Alex Orji brings something as a runner, but leaving Orji in and calling a trick play that resulted in receiver Semaj Morgan throwing a pass to Orji felt like a mistake and showed the lack of confidence in Warren when it mattered most. Warren made some nice throws, however, and finished with two touchdowns. 

Our friends over at 247Sports reported this week on Michigan's all-out pursuit of No. 1 overall recruit Bryce Underwood, a Michigan native who is currently committed to LSU. Underwood was spotted at the Big House Saturday and is expected to visit LSU next weekend. Interestingly after news of Michigan's pursuit of Underwood broke, Carter Smith, who was committed to the Wolverines, broke his pledge. 

It wasn't a new development but Saturday again highlighted the need for Michigan to add a high-level, instant impact quarterback if it wants to get back on track next season. If that's Underwood and Michigan can sway him away from Brian Kelly and the Tigers, great. Otherwise Michigan needs to be extremely aggressive in the transfer portal to bring someone in who can elevate what has been an anemic passing offense this year. 

[Nov 2, 2024 at 7:19 pm ET · John Talty]

Tez Johnson status bears watching

Oregon got the win, but leaves Michigan with a big question in what star receiver Tez Johnson's status will be moving forward. Johnson appeared to injure his shoulder early in the first quarter against Michigan and was seen on the sideline in street clothes with a sling. Oregon head coach Dan Lanning didn't offer any specifics about the injury after the game, but CBS' Jenny Dell reported during the game it looked like a separated shoulder or collarbone injury. 

Johnson has been terrific for Oregon this season, leading the team in catches (63), receiving yards (638) and receiving touchdowns (8). Oregon is lucky that it has two other very talented receivers in Evan Stewart and Traeshon Holden, but losing Johnson for any significant period of time would be a massive blow for the Ducks. Oregon's remaining regular season schedule isn't particularly arduous, though a road trip to Wisconsin is never easy, which is good short-term news. But if Oregon is going to live up to its No. 1 ranking and truly compete for a national title, it needs Johnson. 

[Nov 2, 2024 at 7:07 pm ET · John Talty]

Oregon handles road test

Final: No. 1 Oregon 38, Michigan 17

No. 1 Oregon easily handled a packed Big House environment to beat Michigan, 38-17, and continued its march to a College Football Playoff berth. 

Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel led the way with 294 yards passing, one passing touchdown and one rushing touchdown off a terrific 23-yard run. He is now one touchdown away from tying former Houston quarterback Case Keenum for the most career touchdowns (178) at the FBS level. The Oregon quarterback, who transferred in from Oklahoma, tied former Sooners and Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts with 26 games with both a passing and rushing touchdown. 

Gabriel's supporting cast delivered in a big way against Oregon. After star receiver Tez Johnson went down early with a shoulder injury and didn't return, Traeshon Holden stepped up for six catches for 149 yards. Between Johnson, Holden and Evan Stewart, Oregon has one of the most dynamic and explosive receiving corps in the country when everything is clicking. The run game worked well Saturday, too, led by Jordan James' 117 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries.

Michigan showed moments against the Ducks, but penalties, poor coaching decisions and inconsistent quarterback play doomed the Wolverines' upset hopes. Davis Warren made some big throws to keep Michigan hanging around – he finished 12 of 21 for 164 yards and two touchdowns – but coach Sherrone Moore continuing to rotate between Warren and Alex Orji didn't always work. Moore's decision to challenge a Colston Loveland catch that was clearly an incompletion on review needlessly burned a timeout. 

[Nov 2, 2024 at 6:51 pm ET · John Talty]

Ducks add exclamation point

4Q: No. 1 Oregon 38, Michigan 17

The Ducks added a final exclamation point with only 25 seconds left on a 2-yard Jordan James touchdown to cap a 90-yard drive. For those that took Michigan +14.5, that last-minute touchdown was especially painful. 

[Nov 2, 2024 at 6:37 pm ET · John Talty]

Wolverines can't capitalize

4Q: No. 1 Oregon 31, Michigan 17

Michigan had a nice drive going but came up with zero points, and that all but ends it for the Wolverines. Michigan opted for a run on 3rd-and-7 from Oregon's 12-yard line that predictably didn't work and set up a 4th-and-5 attempt. Michigan again went for a trick play but receiver Semaj Morgan's pass had no shot with quarterback Alex Orji as the intended receiver. 

[Nov 2, 2024 at 6:07 pm ET · John Talty]

Oregon adds to lead

3Q: No. 1 Oregon 31, Michigan 17

Michigan did well to keep Oregon out of the end zone, but Oregon still extended its lead on a 26-yard Atticus Sappington field goal. Michigan made a critical offside error on a 4th-and-4 play that gave the Ducks a first down and extended their drive. Perhaps most impactful, the drive took more than six minute-and-a-half minutes when remaining time has become critical for the Wolverines in their comeback efforts. 

[Nov 2, 2024 at 5:47 pm ET · John Talty]

Michigan strikes back

3Q: No. 1 Oregon 28, Michigan 17

Davis Warren needed to come out aggressive to keep up with his Oregon counterpart and did just that in an impressive drive to start the second half. Warren connected with Peyton O'Leary for a six-yard touchdown to breathe some life into the Big House after Oregon quieted the crowd headed into halftime. The spark for the drive was tight Colston Loveland, who had catches of 20 and 34 yards to move the Wolverines down the field. He leads the team with six catches for 106 yards. 

[Nov 2, 2024 at 5:21 pm ET · John Talty]

Half: No. 1 Oregon 28, Michigan 10

Oregon withstood a punt return fumble and a Michigan flea flicker trick play to still build a substantial halftime lead on the road. Dillon Gabriel, who had two first-half touchdowns, is one touchdown away from tying former Houston quarterback Case Keenum for the most career touchdowns in FBS history. At this current rate, it looks likely he'll accomplish that in the Big House.

Michigan has used both Davis Warren and Alex Orji at quarterback to moderate success. Warren finished 5 of 9 for 66 yards and a touchdown while Orji had nine yards rushing. To keep pace with an Oregon team that is doing whatever it wants against the Wolverines defense, though, Warren will have to really elevate his play in the second half. 

Evan Stewart made what could have been the play of the game on a one-handed touchdown grab that got called back because of penalty. It evened out, however, because he got the benefit of a touchdown that should have been an incompletion after it appeared he dropped the ball. 

[Nov 2, 2024 at 5:08 pm ET · John Talty]

Getting ugly in Ann Arbor

2Q: No. 1 Oregon 28, Michigan 10

Those field goal concerns proved accurate even sooner than expected with Oregon adding another touchdown before halftime on a Dillon Gabriel 23-yard touchdown run. Even worse for Michigan, Oregon will get the ball to start the second half, too. It feels like one more Oregon score could do it against a Michigan team that has struggled to throw it all season. 

[Nov 2, 2024 at 5:01 pm ET · John Talty]

Trickery leads to Michigan FG

2nd QTR: No. 1 Oregon 21, Michigan 10

Michigan already dipping into its bag, breaking out a flea flicker to move into Oregon territory on a Colston Loveland 36-yard gain. The Wolverines were able to get points on the board with a 38-yard field goal, but field goals don't seem likely to be enough against an Oregon team that can put up major points. 

[Nov 2, 2024 at 4:52 pm ET · John Talty]

Ducks pulling away

2nd QTR: No. 1 Oregon 21, Michigan 7 

Starting backed up to its own 6-yard line, Dillon Gabriel guided the Ducks 94 yards down the field to take a two-score lead. Oregon's offense is rolling right now on the ground and through the air. A 38-yard completion to Traeshon Holden set up another Noah Whittington rushing touchdown, this one from 6-yards out. With how anemic Michigan's offense has been, it is getting precarious early for the Wolverines in the Big House. 

[Nov 2, 2024 at 4:35 pm ET · John Talty]

Tez done

CBS' Jenny Dell reported Oregon WR Tez Johnson is out for the game after suffering what appeared to be a shoulder injury. Johnson was spotted on the sideline wearing street clothes. It's a significant loss for Oregon as Johnson leads the team with 63 catches for 638 yards and eight touchdowns. 

[Nov 2, 2024 at 4:29 pm ET · John Talty]

Ducks go back up

2nd QTR: No. 1 Oregon 14, Michigan 7

Noah Whittington's 1-yard line gets Oregon back on top on the road. Terrance Ferguson set up the easy run with a 20-yard catch and run that came up just short of the goal line. A strong response from the Ducks after Michigan tied it up following an Oregon special teams miscue. 

[Nov 2, 2024 at 4:09 pm ET · John Talty]

Warren ties it up

1st QTR: No. 1 Oregon 7, Michigan 7

Davis Warren responds in a big way with a 7-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Morris to even it at 7-each late in the first quarter. Michigan capitalized on a short field after Oregon fumbled a punt return on its own 28-yard line. We also got to see the first of quarterback Alex Orji who had a four-yard run. 

[Nov 2, 2024 at 4:06 pm ET · John Talty]

Oregon gets a break

After a closer review of the play, Evan Stewart did not complete what was ruled a touchdown catch. Oregon catching a major break that it was not reviewed during replay. 

[Nov 2, 2024 at 3:57 pm ET · John Talty]

Ducks strike first

1st QTR: No. 1 Oregon 7, Michigan 0

Dillon Gabriel threw a beautiful back-shoulder throw to Evan Stewart to score the first touchdown of the game. The former Oklahoma quarterback put it right where he needed to for the former Texas A&M receiver to score. Ducks not showing any signs of faltering early at the packed Big House. Gabriel led an efficient 12-play drive to steal the early lead. 

[Nov 2, 2024 at 3:47 pm ET · John Talty]

3-and-out to start 

1st QTR: No. 1 Oregon 0, Michigan 0

Derrick Harmon made his presence felt immediately on a five-yard tackle for loss on Michigan's first offensive play of the game. The Wolverines go three-and-out as Oregon's defense looks stout early. 

[Nov 2, 2024 at 2:46 pm ET · David Cobb]

Big Ten tiebreaker scenarios entering Week 10

Entering a pivotal weekend of Big Ten action, there are four teams with one loss or fewer in the league standings, each of whom are still in prime position to claim a spot in the Dec. 7 conference championship game on CBS. But sorting out the conference race is a bit more complex now that the Big Ten is an 18-team super conference with no divisions.

In fact, there's still a scenario in which three teams are left standing unbeaten at the season's end, which would leave a team with a perfect record on the outside looking in for the Big Ten Championship Game. Other potential scenarios include a four-way tie for first among one-loss teams and a three-way tie for second among one-loss teams.

More here ...

Big Ten tiebreaker scenarios 2024: How Ohio State can climb back into position for conference title game

David Cobb

[Nov 2, 2024 at 2:11 pm ET · John Talty]

Michigan vs. Oregon pick

Oregon is rolling while Michigan is scuffling. The Ducks can put up big points and the Wolverines can't. There are plenty more reasons to pick Oregon over Michigan, and this isn't an argument to dissuade that pick. But it will be the Ducks' toughest remaining test of the regular season and could be closer than anticipated, especially if Michigan's defensive line can take advantage of an Oregon offensive line that is improved recently but still has its issues. I like Oregon to win outright, but think Michigan could backdoor a cover. Pick: Michigan +14.5

Michigan vs. Oregon live stream, where to watch, TV channel, prediction, pick, football game odds, spread

John Talty