College Football Week Five Takeaways: Michigan wins a grinder

Wolverines defense leads 17-point comeback

It was not pretty by any means. But #15 Michigan gained a win over Northwestern that took all four quarters and a defensive stand as time ran out.

A 17-point comeback by the Wolverines was the biggest during the Jim Harbaugh era. With a defense that held Northwestern to just 97 total yards in the final three quarters, the Wolverines earned a 20-17 win.

The defensive unit also registered six sacks and held Northwestern to just 28 rushing yards total.

Northwestern jumped out to a 17-0 lead early in the game and things looked as if Harbaugh and company were on their way to a very disappointing defeat.

Wins have not come in a favorable fashion for Michigan in recent seasons under Harbaugh.

That’s enough to have the head coach on the hot seat in the minds of many. The ultimate test comes at the end of the year against the Buckeyes of course. The defense will dictate a lot as far as where Michigan goes this season.

Expectations for the offense have risen and if the Wolverines want to make noise in the College Football Playoff picture, the offense will have to be counted on to produce.