Michigan Football: 5 things we learned from epic win over Ohio State
Michigan football finally defeated the evil empire in Ohio State on Saturday and here’s what we learned from a sea-changing win for Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines.
It was one of the greatest days in Michigan football history Saturday as the Wolverines ended their eight-game losing streak to Ohio State with a remarkable 42-27 win.
Fifth-ranked Michigan used an old-school formula to win The Game and it’s the same formula that the Wolverines have used all season — a dominating running game and an unforgiving pass rush.
Cade McNamara was great. The offensive line owned the line of scrimmage. They made the Ohio State front seven look like a bunch of walk-ons and four straight times in the second half, when the game was on the line, Michigan drove down the field for touchdowns.
Hassan Haskins played a whale of a game and his leap in the final minutes capped a performance that will live on forever in annals of Michigan history, just as Hutchinson’s three-sack day will.
Every time a play was needed, Michigan found a way. And frankly, there were too many clutch plays and players to mention.
It was Jim Harbaugh’s first win over Ohio State as Michigan head coach and afterward, he said it feels like it’s the beginning, because it is.
The job is not done but here are five things we learned from one of the biggest wins ever by Michigan football.
Those who stay will be champions
This saying has never been more apt than following Michigan’s 15-point win over Ohio State.
Many people on this team could have left. Harbaugh didn’t have to take a pay cut to stay and I challenge anyone to find another elite head coach who would do that after three 10-win seasons.
Harbaugh came to Michigan to right the ship and while he’s won a lot of games over the years, he finally won the right game on Saturday.
Hutchinson could have left for the NFL Draft — Daxton Hill easily could have transferred to Georgia or Alabama or Texas A&M, Josh Ross returned — the list could go on and on.
That’s what makes this win so special. It was built on the guys who have been through the struggles.
The only way out is through.
Donovan Jeter, Mazi Smith, Vincent Gray, Chris Hinton, Andrew Vastardis, Erick All, Ryan Hayes, Andrew Stueber, Brad Hawkins, and Cade McNamara were all a huge part of this win and the turnaround as a whole.
There wasn’t an influx of transfer portal talent and while there were some talented recruits from the 2021 class that certainly helped, it was improvement from within that drove this victory.
Now Harbaugh and all the players who refused to abandon or quit on him have done what no one — no one believed they could.
Those who stay will be champions.