Three takeaways: Michigan bludgeons Northwestern, becomes bowl eligible

Dominance was the story in Ann Arbor Saturday afternoon. The Michigan Wolverines, after battling many other bottom-tier Big Ten teams, absolutely eliminated Northwestern on senior day in the Big House.

Michigan won the game 50-6 and outgained Northwestern 396-127 in total yardage. The Wolverines held the Wildcats to just 10 rushing yards, which has been a trend for the Wolverines’ defense throughout the 2024 season.

Here are three takeaways from the 11th game of the season.

Kalel Mullings was never hurt. He never missed a game. But something seemed off with the senior running back after he posted three straight 100-yard games to close out September.

Mullings hadn’t topped 100 yards in a game since his 111-yard performance against Minnesota, and he really only came close to touching triple digits once, in Michigan’s 21-7 loss to Illinois.

In games against Washington, Michigan State, Oregon and Indiana, Mullings had rushes of 49, 18, 16 and 30 yards, respectively.

But Mullings broke out in style on senior day in the Big House. The fifth-year senior and former linebacker scored three touchdowns in the 50-6 win over Northwestern, and while he still fell short of the century mark, his presence was evident and his efforts were greatly appreciated.

Things broke open for Mullings in the third quarter when he ripped off a 47-yard touchdown run. On Michigan’s 5-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to open the second half, Mullings carried the ball four times for 73 yards.

As the Wolverines got the ground game going with Mullings, things started to open up for Donovan Edwards, who later in the game scored a 20-yard touchdown of his own.

The rushing attack was a good sign for Michigan, which will need the ground game to function at a season-high level if it wants any chance to compete with Ohio State next weekend.

It took five more games than each of the last three seasons, but Michigan is finally bowl eligible. Unless the Wolverines decline an invitation, they will play in a postseason game that is still undecided.

Michigan desperately needed a win over the Wildcats to become bowl eligible, or it would have had to upset Ohio State in Columbus next weekend to earn the extra postseason game.

However, it’s not just the game that’s important, it’s the 15 practices that bowl-eligible teams receive in preparation for their games. Teams that don’t make it to a bowl game simply end their seasons after the final regular season game, but Michigan will get 15 more practices to prepare for the bowl game it might play in .

This is especially important now that Michigan has landed five-star quarterback commit Bryce Underwood, who is expected to sign his letter of intent in December and enroll in the program early.

Underwood and other early enrollees will have a chance to practice with the program 15 times ahead of the Wolverines’ bowl game, something they wouldn’t have had the opportunity to do if Michigan finished with fewer than six wins.

It’s not just about Underwood and the other freshmen, though. Redshirt freshman running back Ben Hall discussed the importance of getting to a bowl game, and many other younger players would benefit from 15 practices and a 60-minute game.

The most important game of Michigan’s season is now on the clock. Ohio State will welcome the Wolverines next Saturday for the 119th meeting between the bitter rivals.

Obviously, Michigan has won each of the last three meetings against the Buckeyes, but Ohio State has dominated the rivalry in the 21st century, winning 17 of the 22 meetings.

In 2022, Michigan beat Ohio State in the ‘Shoe’ for the first time since 2000, and the Wolverines will look to earn just their second win in Columbus since the 2000 edition of The Game when Drew Henson was the starting quarterback.

Ohio State is 10-1 on the season, coming off a nice 38-15 win over No. 5 Indiana. The Buckeyes could punch a ticket to the Big Ten Championship Game with a win over Michigan next weekend.

Meanwhile, from a macro perspective, Michigan, the three-time defending Big Ten champions, has little to play for other than ruining its rival’s hopes of going to Indianapolis.

Next Saturday’s contest starts at Noon ET and airs on FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff.

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