The Michigan football season really begins next week. Is it ready?

Thank God.

The preseason is finally over.

The regular season begins next Saturday.

But what about Notre Dame? Do not they count? (And did the Wolverines not lose to the Irish?)

Yes. (And yes.)

More: Michigan football notes: it's a win, but there's a lot of work to be done

Since then, however, U-M has not played any player – not even the Northwest – with the talent to really tell us what kind of team these Wolverines are.

Certainly, U-M showed mental strength before overthrowing the Wildcats. It is important. That tells us so little about the potential of U-M.

This Saturday will be.

Unless Wisconsin is a fraud, too. Badgers could be. They lost against Brigham Young University … at home.

Still, I suspect the Badgers will always be a solid test. A necessary test. A revealing test.

It's been a while, right?

So, welcome back, football season. The Wolverines you missed.

It's time to take on a new challenge.

More: Michigan football dominates Maryland. But did the offensive restart?

Patterson in control

Shea Patterson took control of the offense. What it means for its ceiling is hard to say.

But the transfer's ability to scramble, run and extend the game gives Harbaugh an essential tool to get into the heart of the U-M program.

Without Patterson's high play – and increasing comfort level – U-M has no chance of spending the month of October.

To beat Wisconsin, Harbaugh will need Patterson to do what he did Saturday against Maryland. He will have to roll barefoot and touch his rear, as he did in the fourth quarter when he found Jared Wangler.

Patterson will have to continue looking for Donovan Peoples-Jones, especially on broken games, as he did in the third quarter when he spotted the sophomore for a 34-yard touchdown. And he will have to continue to aim for Zach Gentry, the most reliable U-M receiver.

Since Patterson has arrived with SEC experience and the craze for being a 5-star rookie, it's easy to forget that, in a way, he's a freshman in the complex offensive attack from Harbaugh. As the defenses begin to stiffen, expect Harbaugh to let Patterson throw more.

And hope that when the pocket begins to collapse, his young and old quarterback will find a way to survive, a skill he shows more and more.

The defense came out strong … today

These are the Terrapins. They do not throw the ball. And the defense of U-M feast of a one-dimensional offense. So, yes, eliminate Saturday's domination if you must.

Yet, swarming is real. The same goes for the speed and the secondary coverage, as well as for Chase Winovich's game, the defensive rear whose golden locks spring up from the back of his helmet in the whoosh he creates fleeing to the quarterback.

Think of it this way: By the end of the third quarter, Maryland had managed 44 yards.

Once again, Terrapins are not a juggernaut. But they beat Texas. They hung 42 on Minnesota. They employ a creative offensive coordinator – who also acts as Acting Head Coach, Matt Canada. They have two young fast runners. (One of them, Ty Johnson, scored a shot of sending 98 yards for a touchdown.) And a decent team speed.

None of that mattered. The Wolverines defense has overwhelmed the promising young talent from Maryland.

Will this be reflected in Wisconsin next Saturday? Maybe not.

In the face of U-M's two best offensives this season – Notre Dame and Northwestern – the Wolverines struggled to find their footing in the first half.

So?

Nothing.

U-M did not play in the first half of Saturday. The Wolverines must also have a similar start next week.