Michigan linebacker Chase Winovich threw down the gauntlet after the Wolverines defeated the Spartans back on October 20 by the final score of 21-7. Winovich told reporters, after the game, that the Wolverines were on a “revenge tour” from last season and so far Michigan has made good on Winovich’s word. Meanwhile, the odds of Ohio State beating Nebraska were intriguing. Ohio State did end up winning that game on November 3. This was despite some analysts feeling Nebraska had a shot to win.

Last year Michigan lost to the “big four” of Wisconsin, Michigan State, Penn State, and Ohio State.

Some losses were in embarrassing fashion. Winovich vowed to his teammates and fans that this year would be different and that Michigan would beat all four in 2018. So far, the Wolverines are 3-for-3, following their huge victory off Penn State this afternoon at the Big House. If they beat Ohio State, in Columbus, at the end of November, then you have to believe that Michigan may be headed to the NCAA playoffs. Right now, the Wolverines just want to take things one game at a time, and not think about a postseason berth, but fans haven’t been this excited for a team in Ann Arbor in many years.

Defense dominates

The Michigan Wolverines have had great defenses in the past, but the 2018 version may be the best in decades.

According to a Detroit Free Press report, the Wolverines dominated the first half, out-gaining the Nittany Lions 210-77, as they took a 14-0 lead to the locker room.

Things went from bad to worse for Penn State, in the second half, who, as a team, only had five offensive yards in the third quarter, and finished the game with 150 total yards on offense.

Those numbers almost seem like a video game for the Michigan defense, as they simply manhandled Penn State from the very first snap. NCAA.com indicated that the Wolverines have the top-ranked defense in all of college football and they only improved on those numbers Saturday (November 3). Michigan gives up an average of 220 yards per contest, and today, they held Penn State to 70 fewer than that.

They also are the No. 1 team against the run, giving up just three yards per carry.

Patterson continues to play well

The duo, of quarterback Shea Patterson and running back Karan Higdon, continues to strike fear in defenses in the Big Ten. Patterson tossed two touchdowns, while Higdon rushed for 132 yards on 20 carries to lead the Michigan attack. Patterson does so many things on offense that don’t show up in the stat book, but with the junior quarterback in control and Dylan McCaffrey waiting in the wings for his shot down the road, the future looks bright in Ann Arbor.

Michigan will face Rutgers next weekend.
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