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

The real test begins

Starting the season 4-0 seemed like a reasonable goal for Michigan football. It wasn’t going to be easy with Washington on the schedule, a team ranked to start the season, but it was necessary.

And the Wolverines did it. They beat Washington on a huge recruiting weekend and avoided disaster against Rutgers. While we don’t know how many games Michigan football will win, this team is going back to a bowl game and it’s regained its footing after 2020.

The future is really bright for this program. McCarthy is going to be a star and Donovan Edwards is too, plus Corum is right there already. Five-star Will Johnson is coming in and if the Wolverines can close the 2022 recruiting class out strong, the future could be even brighter.

But sitting at 4-0 and with Ohio State not looking as strong as usual, Michigan shouldn’t be looking to the future. There is enough talent to win now and we’ll find out a lot next week in Madison about the 2021 Michigan football team.

Winning there will take a much better effort from all three phases of the game, especially in the trenches and at the quarterback spot.

McNamara is solid but he’s a game manager and unless the running game and defense are playing at a high level, it’s hard to see him doing enough to win in Madison.

It will be the ultimate test for McNamara and for a team with lingering questions, it should finally bring the answers we have been seeking.