3. Michigan's playoff chances remain on life support
If Michigan football wanted any prayer to make the playoff, the Wolverines have to win out, and that started with Washington. They played 180 degrees opposite of what they looked like in Los Angeles. Joel Klatt kept mentioning during the broadcast that this is the Michigan football from its championship seasons, and he was completely right.
To do it without about four starters and your No. 1 option on offense makes it more fulfilling. Washington's rush defense was hovering around 83 yards a game entering week eight. Jordan Marshall is the only running back to surpass the century mark against a stingy Huskie front seven. The Buckeyes couldn't even cross that barrier in Washington's other loss.
Michigan's offensive line was getting criticized for being recognized on the Joe Moore award watch list, but they slowly took over on Saturday and almost ran for over 200 yards. Michigan still needs to figure out who is going to be the third back in the rotation when Justice Haynes or Marshall are not on the field.