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Michigan Football: 5 things we learned in uneasy win over Rutgers

By Chris Peterson

Sep 25, 2021; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh on the sideline against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights first half at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2021; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh on the sideline against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights first half at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Syndication: Detroit Free Press
Syndication: Detroit Free Press /

The running game isn’t invincible

In all levels, coaching makes a huge difference, yet you can really see it in college football. With Greg Schiano on the sidelines, Rutgers is a completely different program.

Schiano is doing a great job recruiting, but he attacked the portal hard and he’s got a veteran team. He also is one of the best defensive minds in the game. He’s won a lot as a head coach and a DC and it was obvious that he would try to take away Michigan’s strength.

Rutgers sold out to stop the run and it worked. Michigan, despite a strong start and back-to-back touchdown drives to open the game, averaged 2.9 yards per attempt and just 112 total yards.

It was strange that the Wolverines didn’t attack the edges more with Corum. He was run right up the middle time and time again.

Regardless, there weren’t many holes and the offense simply couldn’t make Rutgers pay for stacking the box. The second half was the Washington game all over again — this time without a running game to carry the load.

We saw what happened when Michigan can’t run the ball and it resulted in zero second-half points. That’s not going to cut it next week. But back to McNamara, can he be the guy?

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