Michigan 35, Rutgers 14

By Kevin Schroeder
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Updated: November 4, 2017

Okay, time for an honest discussion. Any major hopes for the season ended long ago. They were seriously damaged in the literal sense with the loss to Michigan State and almost entirely dashed in the sense where you’re projecting forward because, like, seriously, was that team, as it stood, ever going to beat Penn State, Wisconsin, and Ohio State? No, no they were not.

Enter Brandon Peters.

They’re still not doing anything major this year. This team probably drops at least one more game along the way and ends up in the Outback Bowl or something. But he gave us some hope for next year. And if we’re really being honest here, that’s probably the most we could ask for out of this season. This had “rebuilding year” written all over it and it’s pretty much played out that way. Peters gives some hope that next year doesn’t have to be one, too.

Player Grades

The grading scale goes from -3 to +3 for each play. Penalties are counted in whatever phase they were committed. “Short” throws are 10 yards or less, “Medium” is 10-20, “Deep” is over 20. Everything else (scrambles, throwaways, etc.) is under “Miscellaneous.”

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So what happened?

Michigan played Rutgers. Michigan pounded Rutgers. The offensive line did serious work, with Patrick Kugler being the only starter not ridiculously into the positives. Both Karan Higdon and Ty Isaac went over 100 yards on the ground. The defense was the typical defense. Rutgers scored on a long run by Janarion Grant and put together another sustained drive.

Rutgers is bad. However, we’ve seen Michigan fart around with some bad teams this season, so this clobbering was a welcome sight. Progress is being made.