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

Talk about a beatdown. The Michigan football team put on a football clinic in Piscataway, New Jersey, as the Wolverines beat the Knights from Rutgers 78-0 in a game that was even worse than the final score. It was that ugly as Jim Harbaugh left his foot on the gas and had his offensive line and running game pound out a school-record, nine touchdowns. And that doesn't even include the defense putting on a show. 

Check out the game grades:

Offense: A

Mel Evans/Associated Press

In a normal 78-0 win, the quarterback and passing attack are the standout performers. But not this time. It was Michigan's running game that dominated from the second half of the first quarter until the final whistle. 

Michigan rushed for a school-record nine touchdowns and 481 yards in total. That was on 56 carries from 11 different ball-carriers, including Karan Higdon (13 carries for 108 yards and two touchdowns), Chris Evans (11 carries for 153 yards) and Jabrill Peppers (three carries for 74 yards and two touchdowns). It's safe to say it was a dominating performance from both the running backs and the offensive line, who dealt with injuries throughout the game. 

As for the passing game, it wasn't perfect, but when Wilton Speight had to throw, he threw some dimes. That included a 30-yard pass to a diving Jehu Chesson for a beautiful touchdown.

Defense: A+

Mel Evans/Associated Press

Honestly, if I could give Michigan's defense a better grade, I would. It was that good of a showing from the Wolverines defense. 

From the opening kickoff, the defense was on point. Rutgers only had one yard of total offense at the half, didn't get their initial first down until midway through the fourth quarter and hardly sniffed Michigan's side of the field. 

The two Rutgers quarterbacks finished the day 2-of-18 for five yards passing and zero passes completed past the line of scrimmage. Whether you're a football fan or not, you know that's a ridiculous stat line. But Michigan's defense did more than just defend the pass as RU only finished 39 yards in total, with the heavy majority coming late in the game when third-string defenders were in the game.

Special Teams: A

Mel Evans/Associated Press

As you can imagine, there weren't a lot of specials teams plays for Michigan outside of a couple of punt returns and numerous extra points. But that didn't stop Peppers from stealing the show once again. 

Peppers took a first-quarter punt to the house in a play that ended up being called back for a block in the back but will be remembered for a long time. After that near-touchdown return, Rutgers wisely chose to kick away from Peppers for short to guarantee a fair catch. 

As for the kicking side of things, Kenny Allen had his best punt of the season in the first half as he hit the coffin corner; the Knights had to start their drive at the 2-yard line. 

All in all, it was the most dominant performance of the year and one of the most dominant performances in Michigan football history.

But that's just my assessment.

What did you think of Michigan's 78-0 win over Rutgers? Let us know in the comment section below!