Michigan football: Highlights, takeaways from blowout win over Western Michigan

It was great to see the Michigan football team get a win in the Big House on Saturday.

Yes, it had been a while since Jim Harbaugh’s Michigan football team won a game in Ann Arbor, but his Wolverines did not disappoint in Week 1.

The Michigan Wolverines defeat the Western Michigan Broncos easily, 47-14. It may have only been against an in-state Group of Five opponent, but this was certainly a convincing victory Michigan can build on heading into conference play. Michigan still has work to do if it wants to be a force of reckoning in the deep Big Ten West, but there were many positives from Saturday’s game.

Here are the three biggest takeaways from Michigan’s Week 1 win over Western Michigan.

Michigan football: 3 biggest takeaways from Week 1 win over Western Michigan

3. Blake Corum looked great as Michigan’s leading rusher on Saturday

While Michigan will only be as good as the passing game allows it to be, it seems like the Wolverines will not skip a beat on the ground. Sophomore running back Blake Corum had a great 2021 debut, as he had 14 carries for 111 yards and a touchdown. He also had two receptions out of the backfield for 22 yards and trip to pay dirt. Michigan needs to keep giving Corum the ball.

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2. Losing Ronnie Bell to a leg injury was absolutely brutal for Michigan

One of the cool parts of this game for Michigan was the Wolverines felt comfortable throwing the ball downfield. It helped having wide receiver Ronnie Bell there to take the top off the secondary. While he had an amazing 76-yard touchdown reception, he, unfortunately, had to exit the game with a leg injury. Seeing him carted off the field in the Big House was very tough to watch.

1. Michigan has 2 quarterbacks they can win with in Cade McNamara, J.J. McCarthy

This is massive. Michigan’s issues under Harbaugh have been directly tied to the quarterback position. While he did play some last year, this looks to be Cade McNamara‘s job to lose in Ann Arbor. He played well in his first start of the season, completing 9-of-11 passes for 136 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. It may have only been against Western Michigan, but it counts.

Freshman J.J. McCarthy came in on relief for McNamara and uncorked a throw that you only see from guys like Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen.

Michigan now must turn its attention to a huge Week 2 game with a home date vs. Washington.

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