Michigan Football: 5 things we learned from win over Rutgers

The real test is Iowa

As good as we all feel following the Wolverines 52-0 thrashing of Rutgers, the real test comes next week against an Iowa team that is still undefeated.

It’s hard to know how good the Hawkeyes will be, however, if they can win in Ann Arbor, they will certainly seem like every bit the Big Ten West contender.

For Michigan football, this is a statement game. Iowa is ranked in the top-15, has a standout quarterback and one of the best head coaches in the Big Ten. This is exactly the kind of game you’d expect Jim Harbaugh to win in year five.

Maybe Ohio State is too good and too talented for Michigan and the rest of the Big Ten. But Iowa isn’t. Michigan football should be better than Iowa and after what happened in Madison, the Wolverines should be desperate to silence their critics.

The running game needs to be better and the defense does too. Michigan wasn’t perfect against Rutgers, but it was able to build confidence and get some young players like Hill, Giles Jackson, Erick All and others involved.

This was, without a doubt, a step in the right direction. But it was a baby step. The real sign of progress will come with a win over Iowa next week because if UM flops in another big game, it will be right back to square one.