The narratives surrounding the Michigan Wolverines this week are mostly off the football field. Whether it be fallout from the tunnel or reactions to the first College Football Playoff rankings, few headlines are focusing on the No. 5 team’s actual performances and upcoming matchup this Saturday night.
For a few reasons, it is fortunate that the Rutgers Scarlet Knights happen to be next on the schedule. In terms of off-field distractions, this is not the type of team that would be able to capitalize even if Michigan was focusing on a few things at once, and saving the toughest opposition for last (Illinois and Ohio State) should help with the strength of schedule arguments when the rankings really matter.