Michigan Football: 5 things we learned from win over Wisconsin

Michigan football dominated Wisconsin Saturday at the Big House, 38-13. Here are five things we learned from the Wolverines win.

Prior to Saturday night’s game against Wisconsin, Michigan football had a monkey on its back. It had to prove it could win a big game and until the Wolverines could do that, no other wins were going to matter.

Just look at the previous five weeks. Michigan football dominated SMU, Western Michigan, Nebraska and Maryland, while also beating a scrappy Northwestern team on the road. It did all it was asked to do and still, even as the No. 12 team in the country, its fans didn’t want to believe.

Yet, after thrashing the 15th-ranked Badgers at home Saturday, you better believe in Michigan football, because this team is for real.

Say what you want about Wisconsin. Say they aren’t as good as advertised, but you know what, it still doesn’t matter. That team will win the Big Ten West and Michigan just dominated them in every phase of the game.

Karan Higdon out-rushed Jonathan Taylor. Shea Patterson outplayed Alex Hornibrook and Jim Harbaugh, yes Harbaugh, out-coached Paul Chryst. The offensive line also proved its doubters wrong, while the defense finally played great in a big spot.

There was so much to like about what Michigan football did against Wisconsin and going forward, there were a lot of encouraging signs. Here’s a look at some of these as we examine the five most important things learned from the 38-13 win.