ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Maybe the good vibes from landing the No. 1 recruit in the nation carried over to Michigan’s performance on the field.
With five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood in attendance, Michigan dominated Northwestern 50-6 to improve to 6-5 and secure a bowl bid heading into next week’s game at Ohio State.
Here are three instant takeaways.
Michigan played its best game before its biggest game
At no point this season has Michigan looked like a team that’s playing on the same level as Ohio State. Beating Northwestern doesn’t change that, but Saturday’s performance was as close as Michigan has come all season to playing a complete game. Michigan’s 50 points were 20 more than the Wolverines had scored in a game prior to Saturday, and the 44-point margin of victory was more than double the previous high. Regardless of the opponent, the Wolverines needed a performance like this to build confidence before The Game.
The return of Michigan’s running game was a welcome sight. Kalel Mullings was averaging 2.1 yards per carry over his previous three games and hadn’t rushed for more than 30 yards since Oct. 19 at Illinois. He broke free with 92 yards and three touchdowns on 12 carries, and Donovan Edwards added 65 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries. Michigan will need this version of its backfield if the Wolverines are going to have any shot at upsetting Ohio State.
Defensively, Michigan’s past six quarters have been dominant. The Wolverines held Northwestern to 127 yards after giving up three points and 18 yards in the second half of a loss at Indiana two weeks ago. Northwestern has one of the worst offenses in the FBS, but that shouldn’t detract from what Michigan’s defensive front has been doing. Michigan had six sacks, including two by Josaiah Stewart, and held Northwestern to 10 rushing yards. The matchup of Stewart, Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant against Ohio State’s offensive line will be something to watch next week.
A trio of touchdowns on senior day for Kalel. Feels pretty good! pic.twitter.com/KMusAQ8aWp
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) November 24, 2024
Michigan needs Colston Loveland back
Loveland has 56 catches for 582 yards and now owns Michigan’s single-season record for receptions by a tight end. Late in the first half, he worked his way open in the end zone and hauled in a 3-yard touchdown pass, his fifth TD reception of the season. There was no obvious injury, but Loveland didn’t return for the second half, raising questions about his availability for next week.
Michigan’s passing game needs Loveland, who has been the Wolverines’ most consistent receiving threat by a wide margin. Loveland, a junior who’s been projected as a first-round pick, has said he plans to keep playing as long as he’s healthy. He may have played his last snap at Michigan Stadium, but the Wolverines will be hoping he has at least one more game in a Michigan uniform.
Michigan is going bowling … but where?
After three consecutive trips to the College Football Playoff, Michigan’s postseason destination is bound to be a letdown. But at least the Wolverines won’t be sitting at home.
The Athletic’s most recent projections had Michigan playing Louisville in the Pinstripe Bowl. The Wolverines haven’t been to the Pinstripe Bowl and have a large alumni base in New York City, which would make them an attractive choice among the Big Ten teams projected to finish 6-6 or 7-5.
The Big Ten has been projected to have four teams in the College Football Playoff, though Indiana’s lopsided loss to Ohio State introduces at least a sliver of doubt. If the Hoosiers end up getting snubbed, it would push everybody else down a spot in the bowl order. Illinois gained some separation from the pack with its eighth win, and Iowa has a chance to reach eight wins by beating Nebraska on Black Friday. The rest of the Big Ten’s bowl teams are likely to be clumped together at 7-5 or 6-6. Nebraska, which reached bowl eligibility with a win against Wisconsin, will be an attractive choice for its first bowl appearance since 2016. So will Michigan, which typically isn’t available for the mid-tier bowl games.
(Photo of Kalel Mullings: Steven King / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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