The first four games of the season weren't perfect for Michigan football. At the same time, every single one of the Wolverines goals is still intact.
Here are four big-picture takeaways from Michigan's 3-1 start.
Michigan did what was needed in the first 1/4 of the season
Michigan dropped a game to an Oklahoma team that looks elite. The Wolverines won't be punished for that by the committee. The win at Nebraska was key. Before the season, the road trips to Oklahoma, Nebraska, and USC, along with the home game against Ohio State, as well as avoiding an upset against Sparty, were going to be the key to the season.
As far as USC, Nebraska, and OU, Michigan needed to win at least one of those three games. The Wolverines have done that. Win the USC game, and they will even have some cushion to lose another game and still make the playoff.
The Wolverines couldn't clinch a playoff spot during the first four games, but they could have damaged their chances greatly, especially with a loss against Nebraska last Saturday.
They didn't do that. They rushed for 286 yards on and allowed Nebraska to rush for just 43. The score ended up being 30-27 but Michigan controlled the game. If it wasn't for a huge coaching mistake, it's a double-digit win.
The fact that Michigan beat Nebraska, without its head coach, and led by double digits most of the way, is exactly what you'd expect a playoff-caliber team to do.