For the fifth time in seven years, Michigan football beat Michigan State. The 31-20 triumph was their fourth consecutive, and also the second straight for Sherrone Moore to start his career.
Rivalry games are never easy. Yet, Sherrone Moore has proven adept at them. He's 2-0 against Ohio State and Michigan State as the head coach, although he was acting coach in 2023.
Things looked shaky for a half. There were some worrisome moments in the fourth quarter, such as the Justice Haynes fumble. But when the Wolverines needed a play, they found one to make one.
Looking back on a 31-20 win that was massive for this program, because it achieved one major goal of winning a state championship, as well as keeping another (making the playoff) alive.
Here are five observations from Michigan's win in East Lansing.
Michigan has the best running back duo in the Big Ten
The Wolverines would not have won this game without their running backs, Justice Haynes and Jordan Marshall.
Hayes wasn't 100 percent. Still, he was healthy enough to rush 26 times for 151 yards. His long run was 28 yards. He had two explosive runs on the first drive of the second half as Michigan football pushed its lead to 10.
The former five-star has rushed for 100 yards in every game he has started and finished with 171 total yards Saturday. Marshall picked up a key third-and-one late, before slamming the door on a comeback with a 56-yard touchdown run.
Marshall has rushed for over 81 yards in three of the Wolverines' five Big Ten games. This running back duo is legit, and for my money, it's the best in college football.
Marshall and Haynes are a huge reason Michigan is now 6-2.