Michigan Football: 5 things we learned from win over Wisconsin

Michigan football is for real

Don’t misunderstand, I’m not saying Michigan football is going to win the Big Ten East or anything like that. But this team is capable, at least from what we’ve seen through five games.

Michigan football hasn’t trailed this season and it’s beaten its five opponents by an average of 26.4 points. U-M has scored at least 20 points in each game, while no opponent has reached that mark yet and Wisconsin didn’t come close until the outcome was already decided.

People can say that Washington and Wisconsin aren’t as good as they have been in the past and to a point, that’s true. But according to the Saragin computer rankings, Michigan football has defeated four top-40 teams: Western Michigan, Washington, Rutgers, and Wisconsin.

And it’s not like these are close victories. Even against Rutgers, Michigan led by 17, so it has controlled every single game this season. Michigan can run the ball and stop the run; it can throw and actually defend the pass with its fearsome pass rush and improved secondary.

Even the wide receivers, which seemed like a weakness without Ronnie Bell, have started to really step up. Johnson caught two touchdowns and Roman Wilson was even better, catching that 38-yard bomb but getting open at key times on third and fourth down on his way to 81 yards.

Harbaugh invoked the X-Men when talking about Wilson, Blake Corum, and A.J. Henning, saying they are discovering their powers. Ojabo is too, as are many others.

Now, armed with the confidence of winning in Madison, this team has a tough road ahead, starting next week at Nebraska. Road games loom against Penn State and Michigan State too, as well as Ohio State at home.

I’d still give the Nittany Lions and Buckeyes the edge in the division race — they are the favorites — but Michigan football can’t be discounted, not after what it did to Wisconsin.

All I know is that this Michigan football team is different. It’s got a special feeling and I’m excited to see where that ride takes us in the next two months.