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Michigan Football: 3 takeaways from the slaughtering of Michigan State

By Nick Popio

Oct 21, 2023; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh raises his hands in triumph at the end of the game against the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 21, 2023; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh raises his hands in triumph at the end of the game against the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-USA TODAY Sports /
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Michigan’s A.J. Barner celebrates his touchdown catch against Michigan State on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan’s A.J. Barner celebrates his touchdown catch against Michigan State on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. /

1. A.J. Barner broke out

The Indiana transfer was a yard away from a 100-yard performance. It would have been a first for his career, but it is a new high for him now. J.J. McCarthy depended on him throughout and the former Hoosier did not let him down. He was two yards behind Katin Houser’s total passing yards for the entire contest.

Michigan State’s defense was allowing 350 yards a game coming in and McCarthy and his backups combined for 357 yards passing. The Spartans secondary was in a mismatch all night. The top two ends for Michigan football provided 178 of McCarthy’s 287 yards. Barner feasted on a pass defense that has had problems for years now.

Colston Loveland was also a favorite target for the rising star of McCarthy. He averaged about 20 yards per catch. He’s now caught a touchdown pass in three straight weeks. Practically half the passes that McCarthy threw were to his tight ends. Marlin Klein even had a reception from Jack Tuttle, when the two were on the field together.

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