I went to the game with my Michigan grad girlfriend. I haven't watched the TV broadcast (and I won't), but a few observations from watching live
1. Michigan's defense was impressive. Even when they didn't get home, the kept Penix uncomfortable all night. Their edge rushers never got pushed upfield out of the play like ours did. They were pushing the Washington tackles right back into the pocket all night and clogging the throwing lanes. Even after the play was over, someone would shoulder-check Penix on the way back to their huddle. Just bullied him all night. I only remember Michigan's secondary missing one open field tackle all game (3rd down play on Washington's first FG drive)
2. Goddamnit, why didn't we run the ball more against Washington? I guess the fumbles spooked Sark, but Michigan gutted them early and often with outside runs. Both of their first half touchdowns were so well blocked I might have been able to score.
3. That was a fun game to watch for someone with no emotional attachment to either team. I cheered and high fived the girlfriend at the appropriate times, but it was nice to be able to watch the "All 22" game and not live or die on every snap.
4. Michigan fans really showed up for this game, and they were loud as fuck. That was the first time I'd been in NRG with the roof closed and my ears are still ringing. I'd guess the stadium was 60% Michigan fans and maybe closer to 70%, as there were a lot of Maize shirts mixed in on the Washington side of the field.
5. The off-field talent for both squads was pretty meh