
Michigan football: Grading the Wolverines after big win over Nebraska
Michigan completely dominated Nebraska on Saturday, winning 56-10 in a game that wasn’t even that close.
The Wolverines were in total control from the start, rolling out to a 39-0 halftime lead to win their first Big Ten game of the year. It was a game that reminded us all just how good this team can be.
Here’s what I liked about Saturday’s win over Nebraska and what … oh, wait.
What I liked
- Offensive line continues to improve: This is first because it’s the most important. If this group continues to get better and play more physical, then the Michigan offense can do whatever it wants. And that’s what they’re doing, starting to make their presence felt. “The guys come in here each and every day like pros,” Michigan running back and co-captain Karan Higdon said of his linemen. “Taking notes, paying attention in the film room. Executing things at a high level in practice.” And executing at a higher level in games, too. That’s very encouraging.
- Higdon comes back healthy: There was a bit of a concern coming into this game about how healthy Michigan’s running backs would be. Higdon missed last week’s game and Chris Evans left the SMU win with an injury himself. Evans couldn’t go against Nebraska, but Higdon was great. He had two runs over 40 yards in the first quarter and rolled up 136 yards for the game on just 12 carries. He’s back, and better than ever. He can post some big numbers this year if he can stay healthy. Let’s hope he does.
- Defense proves its dominance: This was a battle of men vs. boys when Nebraska had the ball. Michigan’s defense, one of the best units in the country, simply didn’t allow anything to the Huskers. They’re really coming together as a unit after some early doubt about their greatness. “Hard work is paying off for this team. They don’t complain about it. They actually get it, they ramp it up every day. We don’t need motivational swings or talks or some of the things some teams need. We just work,” Harbaugh said. “And it looks like they enjoy that part of it. And they’re playing better (as a result).
- Shea Patterson keeps getting better: The leash is off, and that’s a good thing. The quarterback transfer from Ole Miss is getting very comfortable running Michigan’s offense and that’s going to be a big factor down the stretch when the opponents are tougher. Patterson didn’t need to do much, but what he did Saturday, he did well. He was 15-for-22 passing for just 120 yards, but he made all the right decisions.
- Veterans playing with purpose: Michigan wants to make a statement every week, and they’re back to doing that again after that streak of meanness seemed to disappear for a year or so. “There’s a big maturity jump happening, people are starting to feel it,” junior guard Ben Bredeson, a three-year starter said after Saturday’s 56-10 thrashing of Nebraska. “We want to be the type of intimidating team we were in 2016. When we rolled down the tunnel, people feared us. We think we’re getting back to that.”
What I didn’t like
- Nothing: Enough said, really. That was complete domination, with an emphasis on complete.
- But since we’re here …: Please stop with this whining that Michigan ran up the score against a defenseless opponent. That is Nebraska, for Pete’s sake. They are a program with a comparable resume through the years to Michigan and everyone else at the top of college football. Michigan simply went out and played great and Nebraska didn’t have an answer. Too bad. Michigan did its thing, and if that’s Nebraska’s thing right now, then so be it. I never buy the “running up the score” argument when it’s a conference game between two schools like this. There are recruiting battles to be won right now, too, and that matters.