A bunch of big plays may have obscured the key source of Michigan’s dominance in its opener. Namely, the Wolverines owned the trenches in beating up on Minnesota.

Now, with struggling rival Michigan State on deck Saturday in Ann Arbor, the No. 13 Wolverines will look to control the line of scrimmage again — and maybe send a message to the rest of the B1G in the process.

Against the Gophers, the Wolverines allowed only 1 sack of QB Joe Milton — a coverage sack — and allowed just 3 TFL during their 49-24 home-run fueled win at Minnesota. Conversely, Michigan’s defense racked up 5 sacks on Gophers QB Tanner Morgan and finished the day with 8 TFL, all but shutting down the Gophers’ running game.

Michigan’s young O-line and D-line held their own in Week 1 against a B1G West contender. Both lines will have to continue doing the same against the Spartans, who were ravaged in the trenches — on both sides of the ball — during a worse-than-it-looks-on-paper 38-27 loss to Rutgers.

Andrew Vastardis, Michigan’s first-year starting center, proved that he was capable of serving as a centerpiece for the O-line. The 6-3, 296-pound 5th-year senior was a major contributor to Michigan’s rushing game, which accounted for 256 yards — the most in any opener for UM under 6th-year coach Jim Harbaugh — and featured RB Zach Charbonnet’s 70-yard touchdown run in the first half.

Flanking Vastardis were RG Andrew Stueber, LG Chuck Filiaga, RT Jalen Mayfield and LT  Ryan Hayes.

“If I had to pick offensive linemen of the game, it would be Jalen Mayfield and Andrew Vastardis,” Harbaugh said during Monday’s Zoom call with reporters. “They’re so motivated to play and so emotionally involved in the game. They were really tremendous. … Andrew Stueber was outstanding and graded-out (high). So did Chuck Filiaga … and Ryan Hayes had an excellent game and they played really good together.

“Jalen Mayfield was lights-out. He played a tremendous game in the pass-protection. I can’t think of any pressure that he gave up.”

The good vibes extended to the other side of the ball, too.

Despite having some hiccups, the Wolverines were effective when it came to applying the vice grips to the Gophers.

Aidan Hutchinson had 6 tackles and a PBU at the line. He was often times the focus of Minnesota’s efforts, getting double-teamed routinely. However, the 6-6, 269-pounder said he’d “gladly” welcome the same courtesy against Michigan State — as long as it benefits teammates, such as fellow DE Kwity Paye, who lived in the backfield while the Gophers took aim at Hutchinson.

“Kwity is a baller. He balled-out on Saturday,” Hutchinson said. “He got a couple of sacks. I, unfortunately, missed a couple of my sacks but I’m enthusiastic and ready to get after it again.”

Reserve DE Taylor Upshaw made a TD-saving tackle at the 2, allowing the Wolverines to maintain momentum as Minnesota settled for a FG to close to 14-10 rather than tying the game.

“Talk about unheralded,” Harbaugh said about Upshaw’s chase-down of the speedy Mohamed Ibrahim. “That was the unheralded defensive play of the game — for me.”

Meanwhile, the Spartans are feeling anything but good about themselves.

They are reeling after losing to Rutgers, which hadn’t won a Big Ten game in its previous 21 attempts. The Spartans’ 7 turnovers were their most in a game since 1981. MSU lost 5 fumbles and threw 2 INTs, a result of prime pressure by Rutgers’ defensive front, which helped hold the Spartans to a 1.3 yards per carry on 39 attempts.

Saturday in Ann Arbor, the Big Ten will see that Michigan State — not the line-of-scrimmage-owning power from years past.

It’s hard to imagine Michigan won’t dominate the trenches for a second straight week. By the final whistle, the Wolverines may be looking like they own the line of scrimmage league-wide.