On Saturday against Washington, it "felt like Michigan football" as the Wolverines defeated Washington 24-7 thanks to a dominant 17-0 run to end the game.
However, after getting stopped on fourth-and-two deep in Washington territory, and punting on 4th and inches after a poor spot on a Bryce Underwood run, it felt like things could be turning in the Huskies' favor with a quarter and a half to play.
That's when Cole Sullivan changed the game. The sophomore notched his third interception of the season and his fourth turnover play, putting Michigan in a position to score. A Jordan Marshall touchdown run put the Wolverines in front.
Jimmy Rolder, another linebacker, came up with an interception soon after. A third-and-11 strike by Bryce Underwood eventually got the Wolverines in scoring range before throwing his second touchdown of the day to Zach Marshall.
A Dominic Zvada field goal after a turnover on downs sealed the 24-7 win over the 5-1 Huskies. Michigan has two losses but two wins over 5-2 teams. The Wolverines have one loss in the Big Ten. If they win out, which includes beating Ohio State, this team can make the playoff and probably the Big Ten title game.
All the goals are still on the table and here are five things we learned from the Wolverines win.
Michigan is still Michigan
Whether it was Joel Klatt, Sherrone Moore, or others, the takeaway from Saturday's win was the same: Michigan looks like Michigan again.
The offense rushed for 187 yards and held Washington to 40. That's really what won the game and during the years of 2021-2023, that was often the story, too.
Bryce Underwood was special. We'll get to that. Michigan forced three turnovers, sacked Demond Williams Jr. twce and limited him to -19 yards rushing, under 200 total after he had over 500 total yards just a week ago against Rutgers.
The defensive line was physical. Michigan's offensive line, despite what looks like a season-ending injury to Evan Link, more than held its own. Washington was scoring 39 points per game coming in. It was one of the most underrated teams in the country, and Michigan won by 17.
If the Wolverines didn't come up empty on three possessions inside the 40, the win would have been even more lopsided. Yet, even without Rod Moore, Brandyn Hillman, Justice Haynes, Marlin Klein, and Hogan Hansen -- four starters and a key role player before Evan Link went down -- and didn't skip a beat.
That tells you a lot about this culture and this program. Fans were freaking out last week. Turns out, that was an overreaction.