Is a win really a win? There was a mixed bag of feelings among the Michigan faithful as they barely escaped Wrigley Field with a win. While there is some merit to “how” teams win, there is also another week that has passed where there is still hope for the seasons ultimate goals.  While Michigan’s victory may have been overlooked by fans expectations, they still have everything right in front of them.

Following Michigan's narrow 24-22 victory over Northwestern at Wrigley Field, the path to the College Football Playoff is far from guaranteed. The win, secured by a game-winning field goal from Dominic Zvada in the final seconds, was overshadowed by the Wolverines' five turnovers—their most in a single game since 2018. While Michigan improved to 8-2, their inconsistent play, especially with ball security, raises serious concerns about their ability to beat top competition.

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The Wolverine offense, despite putting up 496 total yards against the Wildcats' stout defense, was plagued by self-inflicted wounds that nearly cost them the game. Quarterback Bryce Underwood threw two interceptions, and the team fumbled the ball three times. These turnovers consistently stalled promising drives and gave Northwestern crucial opportunities to stay in the game.

The near disaster in Chicago wasn't an isolated incident for this Michigan squad. The Wolverines have developed a troubling pattern of "winning ugly" against lesser opponents. Victories over Nebraska and Purdue also showcased offensive struggles and a vulnerability to mistakes, suggesting the win over Northwestern was a recurring symptom rather than an anomaly. This trend is especially concerning when contrasted with the Wolverines' only losses, which came against top-25 teams.

The defense, while not perfect, did its part to keep Michigan in the game against Northwestern. The unit held the Wildcats' rushing attack to just 61 yards and created havoc on third downs, limiting Northwestern to just 2 of 12 conversions. However, the defense was put in compromising positions all afternoon by the offense's inability to hold onto the ball.

Looking ahead, the road to the playoffs doesn't get any easier for Michigan. The team's remaining games are against Maryland, and with the toughest test of the regular season against undefeated Ohio State looming on November 29, the Wolverines have little time to resolve their turnover issues. If Michigan enters "The Game" with the same ball-security problems, they will likely be overwhelmed by the top-ranked Buckeyes. A victory against Ohio State is a must for any hope of a Big Ten Championship appearance, especially given USC holds the tiebreaker over Michigan in the standings.

For Michigan to have any shot at a playoff berth, they must undergo a rapid transformation in their offensive discipline. Coach Sherrone Moore acknowledged the problem after the Northwestern game, stating, "We've got to fix it". The Wolverines need to prove over the next two weeks that they can play a clean, complete game and take care of the football. Otherwise, their playoff hopes will disappear faster than a fumbled handoff at the line of scrimmage.