Media Roundup: National Media Responds To Michigan Football's 7-0 Start, Dominating Win Over Indiana
Michigan did what the Wolverines have done all season: dominated the opposition. The maize and blue have looked extremely dominant in the past three games against Nebraska, Minnesota, and most recently Indiana. The Wolverines moved to 7-0 on the season after taking down the Hoosiers, 52-7.
Most of the starters sat in the fourth quarter for backups to gain experience, which has become a trend for most of the season. The Wolverines' strength of schedule is still a concern to many in the national media, but the Michigan players have been brilliant playing the teams on their schedule.
There are still some people in the media who aren't certain about Michigan until it plays Penn State on November 11, but a ton of national media members are pretty high on the Wolverines regardless of who they play.
Here's what's being said about Michigan after a 7-0 start.
Barrett Sallee with CBS Sports gives Michigan an A+ for its efforts against Indiana.
Whenever you can go a full day and not think about Michigan, you know that it was a good day for Michigan. Save for a trick play in the first quarter, the Wolverines defense was lights out in the 52-7 win over Indiana. J.J. McCarthy had as many passing touchdowns as incompletions (three). He doesn't have video game stats, but it's time to start talking about him as a Heisman Trophy contender.
Chris Vannini of The Athletic moves Michigan up one spot in his top 133.
Other than Washington’s move up to No. 1, the only other changes in here include Michigan hopping past Penn State to No. 7 and North Carolina sliding into No. 10 after taking care of Miami. On the Michigan point, the Wolverines leap the Nittany Lions because their Rutgers win is now essentially equal to Penn State’s West Virginia win (though neither is very notable), and Michigan has been so dominant otherwise. As I say every week, Michigan looks extremely good. The Wolverines just don’t play anyone notable until Penn State on Nov. 11. If they win that game, they’ll rocket up near the very top, just like Washington did.
Brett McMurphy with The Action Network puts Michigan into the national championship
Last week, McMurphy had Florida State beating Michigan in the semifinal game, but he has updated his final four teams. He has Michigan beating Washington and Georgia defeating Florida State. McMurphy thinks Michigan and UGA will meet in the national championship.
Pat Forde with Sports Illustrated ranks Michigan as the No. 6 best undefeated team -- one spot ahead of Georgia.
The Wolverines have been absolutely dominant against absolutely nobody, unless you’re buying 5–1 UNLV as somebody. (Barry Odom is doing a nice job in his first season with the Rebels, but still.) Michigan has won every game by 24 points or more, has not allowed more than 10 points in a game and has upped the scoring in recent weeks, averaging 49.7 points in its last three games. An opponent did finally make it to the Michigan 10-yard line Saturday: Indiana’s second possession of the game resulted in a first-and-goal from the 10, the first team to snap the ball that deep in Wolverines’ territory this season. Michigan intercepted a pass on the next play.
ESPN kept Michigan as No. 2 in its power rankings. Georgia took home the top spot.
Michigan running back Blake Corum scored two touchdowns in the win against Indiana, which put him third all-time in program history for career rushing touchdowns. He passed his running backs coach Mike Hart and former quarterback Denard Robinson and sits behind Anthony Thomas and Tyrone Wheatley on the list. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy got in on the scoring, as well, throwing three touchdown passes on just 17 attempts before he was pulled for the backups in the third quarter. Michigan's defense was able to shut Indiana's offense down, allowing just one touchdown in the first quarter.