Michigan State vs. Michigan: 3 Things We Learned From Each Team

The #12 Michigan Wolverines had a massive win in the bag over in-state rival Michigan State, but the #7 team in the nation somehow came back from the dead when THIS happened. A fluky botched punt led to a walkoff return for a touchdown for the Spartans, giving MSU a 27-23 win for the history books. Here's 3 things we learned from each team.

Michigan Wolverines

Regardless of the outcome, Michigan has this clock management thing down pat. Jim Harbaugh and OC Tim Drevno know how to paper over Michigan's offensive limitations, grinding the clock out with deft play-calling and giving the defense long fields to make plays.

Jake Rudock needs to figure out the deep ball. If he would have been able to hit just a couple big vertical strikes today, Michigan State wouldn't have been in position to pull off a miracle.

The true test of this Michigan team comes in the weeks ahead. How does this group of kids respond to just a devastating ending? If Michigan keeps up the fight and slides into New Year's Six contention, it'll be a heck of a feat after what just transpired.

Michigan State Spartans

Michigan State's defense did everything it could to secure this game early, holding the Wolverines to just 230 yards of total offense. Credit goes to Michigan for making the most out of field position, but credit goes to Michigan State for blanketing UM's skill-position players all day long.

QB Connor Cook makes his completions count. Yes, he completed just 18 of 39 passes against a suffocating Michigan secondary. But, those 18 connections went for 328 yards -- a yards per completion of rate of just under 18 yards. When he hits, he HITS.

MSU is charmed. How else can you explain what just happened? If you're near a local convenience store, Spartans fans, buy yourself a lottery ticket.