It may have been a slow start, but Michigan got the blowout 52-17 win it needed in non-conference play, and it came at the right time. With No. 18 Iowa up next and a host of tough Big Ten matchups after that, Michigan was able to finally put it all together, even if it took a halftime speech from Kyle Whittingham to do so.
If you take away the first half, this game is 35-3, with Michigan barely giving the Miners anything in the second half and even finding ways to score with the backups in. That isn't how this works, though, and that first half was extremely worrisome for the Wolverines, giving feelings of deja vu from Week 1.
With the second half Michigan had, though, there were quite a few winners to pick from, even a few freshmen leaving their mark for the Wolverines. On the flip side, there were some players who didn't impress the way some would have hoped for.
Losers
Travis Johnson
It seemed like the wide receiver room woke up a bit in Michigan's win over UTEP, but Travis Johnson didn't get the memo. Now, it's not like Johnson played a bad game, but when he is behind JJ Buchanan, who has been a favorite target for Bryce Underwood since coming to Ann Arbor from Utah this season, and 2025 Michigan's leading receiver, Andrew Marsh, it's hard to carve out a big role.
Johnson had a lot of buzz coming out of fall camp, but he is a freshman, and right now, just getting some experience on the field is the best he can do unless he starts getting his number called on the play sheet.
Jim Harding
Really, Jim Harding made his way onto the loser list before the Michigan game even started. Having to continue to rework this offensive line due to injuries this season is not good for Harding, who was already trying to build a new line in fall camp. The injury to Andrew Sprague isn't great, especially with him being a key part of this line.
Winners
Andrew Marsh
It was about time that Marsh broke out this season, especially after being Underwood's favorite target in 2025. It felt like Marsh never found his role in the first two games, but against UTEP, he looked to be back to his old self.
Marsh really broke out, leading the team with 10 receptions and 105 yards, with one of Underwood's two passing touchdowns in his stat line. Kyle Whittingham made a point of getting Marsh the ball more this week, and it worked out for the Wolverines and opened up this passing game a lot before Big Ten play begins.
Savion Hiter
It was a career day for Hiter: his first career touchdown, his first career fumble, followed by his second career touchdown. Look, Hiter is a freshman, so he isn't going to play perfectly all the time, but in three games, he has improved each week, with his best performance coming against UTEP.
Hiter wins solely because he has gotten lots of touches and snaps in three non-conference games, really getting him ready for the pace of Big Ten play. With Jordan Marshall a little banged up with minor aches and pains, Hiter could see his role continue to grow.
Jay Hill
Even when Michigan has been racked through the mud in the first couple of weeks, no one has been able to come after Jay Hill's defensive unit. Sure, the first half wasn't the prettiest, but both of UTEP's touchdowns came off of turnovers by the offense and the defense having to get back on the field quickly.
Hill has his defense playing at a high level, and it showed in the second half when UTEP struggled to gain an inch until the backups were put in. This was a home run hire for Whittingham's staff, and with Big Ten play up next, Hill's squad looks ready to go.
Honorable mention: Tommy Carr
I couldn't end this list without mentioning Tommy Carr, who saw the field for the first time in his Michigan career. Carr's story is a little more exciting as a legacy player, following in the footsteps of his father, Jason Carr, who also played at Michigan, and his grandfather, Lloyd Carr, who coached Michigan to a National Championship in 1997 and five Big Ten titles.
Tommy threw his first career touchdown pass in the fourth quarter with his family in the box in Ann Arbor, officially beginning his career with the Wolverines. The video of his family celebrating will warm even the coldest hearts, certainly bringing tears to my eyes.
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