Michigan football's win over Wisconsin on Saturday wasn't perfect. It wasn't a game that fans will remember forever, but it was an important win all the same.
In this new Big Ten, every week is a battle. Remember when people were asking if UCLA would win a game this season? The Bruins did, upsetting seventh-ranked Penn State on Saturday.
Any given Saturday in this conference. Wisconsin reminded Michigan football fans of that on Saturday after an opening-drive touchdown. The Badgers made it a game for longer than it should have been.
The Wolverines left a lot of meat on the bone. Still, 445 yards of total offense, with 270 passing yards coming from true freshman Bryce Underwood will win Michigan most games on the schedule.
There were still too many mistakes. That's not the biggest concern, though. We'll address that and more in the five things we learned in the Wolverines' 24-10 win.
🎥 Winning Highlights#GoBlue | @meijer pic.twitter.com/8aIWwjAaWU
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) October 4, 2025
Justice Haynes is the best back in college football
After the game Sherrone Moore said he felt "sorry" for the team that let Justice Haynes go, but that he was glad he was in Ann Arbor.
You can say that again, coach. Haynes has been a revelation. Saturday was the fifth 100-yard rushing game to start his Michigan football career, making him the first-ever Wolverine to do that.
Haynes carried the ball 19 times for 117 yards against the best run defense in college football. Wisconsin was allowing just 2.1 yards per game and 50 yards per game. Haynes averaged 6.2 yards per carry and had two explosive runs, including a 43-yarder in the first quarter when the Wolverines were down 7-0.
The offensive line didn't do Haynes any favors. There were a few times when there was a Badger in his lap almost immediately. That needs to get fixed.
Haynes is an incredible talent, though. This team might not be 4-1 without him.