Northwestern vs. Michigan: Game Grades, Analysis for the Wolverines

Jehu Chesson returned the opening kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown, and the No. 18 Michigan Wolverines proceeded to whip the No. 13 Northwestern Wildcats 38-0 on Saturday.

Drake Johnson, Jake Rudock and Derrick Green each tallied a rushing score. Jourdan Lewis added a pick-six, and the Wolverines rolled to a dominating win.

Positional Unit	1st-Half Grade	Final Grade
Pass Offense	A	A
Run Offense	A	A-
Pass Defense	A	A
Run Defense	A	A
Special Teams	A	A
Coaching	A	A

Pass Offense: Although Rudock didn't need to do much behind center, the senior avoided a mistake for only the second time all season. He finished 17-of-23 overall, connecting with A.J. Williams four times for 48 yards as well as Jake Butt thrice for 40 yards.

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Run Offense: The running game didn't have an explosive outing, but the ball-carriers notched 11 first downs and 4.4 yards per carry. De'Veon Smith, who returned after missing the Maryland game because of injury, led the team with 59 yards. Michigan burned Karan Higdon's redshirt, so the freshman could occupy a small yet regular role moving forward.

Pass Defense: Once again, the secondary locked down the opposing receivers. No Wildcat managed more than two catches, and Northwestern's trio of quarterbacks combined for 3.9 yards per attempt. Lewis continued his All-American-caliber season with an interception and a couple of pass breakups. Michigan also tallied four sacks.

Run Defense: The Wildcats' Justin Jackson entered the day boasting an average of 127.2 yards per game, but the Wolverines limited the oft-bruising back to a meager 25 yards. Michigan eliminated Northwestern's speed-option looks en route to ceding an average gain of 1.5 yards on 25 carries. The defense should be ranked in the top three nationally against the run following the weekend.

Special Teams: Chesson exploded for the 96-yarder on his first kick return of the season, and his touchdown sparked a stellar—and eye-opening—performance from the Wolverines. Kenny Allen drilled a career-long 47-yard field goal as well as five extra points. Blake O'Neill placed three punts inside the 20.

Coaching: Writers might run out of superlatives for head coach Jim Harbaugh and defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin throughout the upcoming week. The defense recorded its third consecutive shutout, which hadn't happened at the program in 35 years. Harbaugh has turned Michigan into a team that nobody looks forward to playing. Already.

Follow Bleacher Report college football writer David Kenyon on Twitter: @Kenyon19_BR.