- It was a disappointing drive at the end of the half for the Wolverines' defense. Northwestern backup QB Trevor Siemian is an excellent passer, though. He'd start on a lot of teams, and the Wildcats do an excellent job of using him in passing situations, particularly the two-minute drill. Northwestern is a very difficult team to prepare for because their offense is so diverse.
- Michigan's defense wasn't particularly stout last season, but it was opportunistic. It has been more stout this season, but the turnovers haven't been present. That was a good sign the Wolverines forced a Northwestern turnover in the second quarter. It's an even better sign the Wolverines were able to take advantage of the shortened field to score a touchdown.
- Northwestern has had excellent backs and receivers down through the years, but I don't remember the Wildcats with quite this much speed overall offensively. Quarterback Kain Colter and running back Venric Mack are quicker in person than the perception I had before from watching them on television. Defensively, it's a different story. Northwestern is neither big nor fast overall.
- Brady Hoke has done a very job recruiting, but he clearly needs to focus more on receivers and running backs. The line on both sides of the ball, the secondary and linebackers should be fine, but Hoke has not recruited enough big play threats at skill positions offensively. Derrick Green, the five-star running back from Virginia the Wolverines are in on, might hold the key to the Wolverines 2013 recruiting class. They need a premier back badly.