Five Takeaways from Michigan's Up-and-Down Win over TCU

1. Michigan's running game was dominant

Blake Corum took his place in Michigan football lore on Saturday night. Corum's 172 yards on the ground, including a pair of touchdowns, paced a rushing attack that amassed 242 yards on the day. Quarterback Cade McNamara saved his best for last, adding another 83 yards on the ground and another score, his third of the season.

As a team, Michigan averaged 6.1 yards per carry against a TCU defense that came into the night allowing just 170 rushing yards per game. Adding in the yards the Wolverines picked up on team passing plays, Michigan finished with 335 yards on the ground, their best single-game total since Nov. 7, 2020.

2. Michigan’s defense forced two fourth-quarter turnovers

Despite struggling for much of the game, the Michigan defense came up with two critical turnovers in the fourth quarter. With 5:15 remaining in the game and TCU driving, the Wolverines’ defense stripped TCU quarterback Max Duggan inside the Michigan 30, giving the ball back to the offense.

After trading punts, Michigan got the ball back with just over two minutes remaining and came up with another critical stop when freshman defensive back Ja’Den McBurrows picked off Duggan with 1:10 remaining to seal the win.

3. Jim Harbaugh earned his first New Year’s Six win

After three losses in New Year’s Six bowls, Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh finally broke through on Saturday night, earning his first win in a major bowl game. The win was just Harbaugh’s third against a ranked opponent since the start of the 2020 season, and the first this year, but it was also his biggest win as Michigan’s coach.

4. This win gives Michigan hope for the future

Michigan is now 13-1 on the season, a program best under Harbaugh, and has a chance to finish the season 14-1 with a win over Georgia in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl. The Wolverines are also a likely New Year’s Six team next season, giving Harbaugh a chance to build on the momentum he has created this year.

5. Michigan’s win is a big step for the Big Ten

The Big Ten went 0-5 in New Year’s Six bowls last season, and they were just 2-3 in those games this season. Michigan’s win was a big step for the conference, and it gives the Big Ten a chance to make a statement in the College Football Playoff with wins over Georgia and TCU.