Michigan is surging up the FEI ratings, powered by impressive results in a set of possession efficiency stats that have been collecting dust on the shelf for the last 12 years.
The showdown between 4-1 Michigan and 5-0 Northwestern in Ann Arbor last weekend was expected by many to be a low-scoring, 60-minute slugfest, but the Wolverines had other ideas. Michigan returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown, forced a three-and-out, scored again on a 59-yard touchdown drive, held Northwestern to a failed field goal attempt, scored again on a 75-yard touchdown drive, and forced another three-and-out. The score was 21-0 in favor of Michigan at the conclusion of that six-possession sequence.