All Gas, No Brakes; Michigan Destroys Michigan State
Wow. What an absolutely incredible performance by the Wolverines in East Lansing. Typically, these postgame stories are three positive developments and three not-so-good developments that lead to some discussion and give us something to look for in the coming weeks. But tonight, inside Spartan Stadium, the Wolverines were damn near perfect.
Whether it was the opening, 12-play touchdown drive that covered 84 yards and milked more than six minutes off of the clock and overcame a false start penalty or U-M's defense forcing a turnover on downs on the very next possession, Michigan was in control from start to finish. The Wolverines wasted no time in setting the tone.
Maybe it was Michigan's defense as a whole limiting the Spartans to just 190 yards of total offense while forcing one turnover in the form of a Mike Sainristil pick-six.
Or maybe it was quarterback JJ McCarthy looking as sharp as he ever has in a Michigan uniform. The junior went 21-of-27 for 287 yards and four touchdowns and made some of the prettiest throws you'll ever see on a football field. He also had a 16-yard scamper on the night.
Perhaps it was Michigan's level of efficiency from the onset. The Wolverines finished a sweltering 7-of-8 on third down (with the starters in) and never even had to go for it on fourth down. That kind of execution allowed the Wolverines to pick up 27 first downs to Michigan State's 10. Michigan also committed just two penalties for a minimal 10 yards while the starters were still in, while MSU committed nine for 91 yards. The discipline, mental edge and approach for Michigan before and during the game was apparent.
Could it have been Jim Harbaugh's killer instinct before halftime, which we almost never see? Harbaugh called back-to-back timeouts after stopping the Spartans on second and third down forcing little brother to punt. Then, Harbaugh called pass after pass after pass the entire way down the field and should've finished the march with a touchdown if it weren't for a questionable call by the officials.
The answer is yes. Yes to all of it. Michigan is a well-oiled machine right now and looks like the favorite to win the whole damn thing. Michigan State, on the other hand, looks like a bottom dweller in the Big Ten.
Life is good.
