A Big 12 track meet.

That’s what Michigan’s 49-24 win over Minnesota looked like in the first half, and — as always — there were a few eye openers and unexpected, pleasant surprises (and disappointments) in the opener.

Nobody, however, should complain about a 49-24 victory, on the road against a ranked team. They’ve been few and far between in the Jim Harbaugh era, but there was a sense that this team might be different. They talked about the lack of egos, the togetherness ….

And, of course, they all talked about Joe Milton and his big arm.

It was Milton’s decision making, though, and his poise that was on display in this one, and it was stunning in its presentation. Many thought he’d wind up and hit the deep ball, ask a few of his speedy receivers to get behind the defense and chuck it. The game plan, though, was much more intricate and detailed, designed to make the redshirt sophomore quarterback comfortable and develop a rhythm.

It couldn’t have gone much better.

“Joe was great,” head coach Jim Harbaugh said of his redshirt sophomore. “First time starting, on the road against a really good team, a top 25 ranked team, big Saturday night stage, the whole shebang … he was cool as a cucumber.

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