Michigan Football: 3 takeaways from a homecoming win over Wisconsin

1. Michigan's wideouts excelled besides the multiple drops

Donaven McCulley had his most sincere performance in a maize and blue uniform on Saturday. It was his first 100-yard outing since November of 2023. Around the same timeframe, Roman Wilson happened to be the last receiver to go over the 100-yard mark for the Wolverines. With the departure of Fredrick Moore, Andrew Marsh gladly made the most of his disappearance. Semaj Morgan had his problems with drops creep up again, but he can build off the positives and continue to work on the negatives. 14 drops on the season is unacceptable for the group as a whole.

Bryce Underwood registered a career high through the air because of his trio of pass catchers. He would have had more if not for a busted play where Underwood scrambled to the outside and saw a wide open Kendrick Bell, but the ball was a touch too tall for Ronnie Bell's little brother.

Wisconsin's pass defense was not as stingy as its rush defense, but no team has rushed for more on Wisconsin this year than Michigan did on Saturday. This is just the beginning of Luke Fickell's growing concerns. The Badgers may not win another matchup on their schedule.

2. Michigan's defense rendered the Wisconsin offense sluggish

Subtract Dilin Jones from the equation and the Badgers only had 12 yards rushing on the afternoon. Vinny Anthony was the majority of Wisconsin's offense. He notched success against Michigan's cornerbacks with a record day at the office.

Gus Johnson mentioned that Hunter Simmons may have solidified the starting quarterback position for the Badgers, at least until Billy Edwards returns. Simmons and Underwood had nearly identical numbers on completions and attempts, but Underwood and the Wolverines are trending upwards, while Wisconsin and Simmons are heading in the opposite direction.

Michigan's linebackers were in the backfield often because of all the blitzes that Wink Martindale called. Specifically, Ernest Hausmann could have had a sack or two and batted down a pass that was almost intercepted. Zeke Berry returned to the lineup and came close to picking off Simmons, but also bit on a double move that wound up as Wisconsin's longest play of the day.