A 42-27 win over Ohio State a week ago was cathartic for Michigan, for coach Jim Harbaugh, and for the fanbase. Players ended a losing streak. Harbaugh and Wolverine nation rejoiced. The Wolverines locked up a spot in the Big Ten championship with the win.

The ultimate goal is still in front of the Wolverines. And they can attribute a good deal of their success not just in that win over the Buckeyes but during the 11-1 season as a whole to the dominance of edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson.

Against the Buckeyes, he was dominant. His performance was historic from an analytical context. He had 3 sacks on the day, became the program’s record-holder for sacks in a season in the process, and made Buckeye quarterback CJ Stroud uncomfortable all afternoon long.

“Our last title was in 2004, so it’s been a very long time. I just think if there’s any team, this is the team to do it,” he told FOX’s Matt Leinart. “We’ve got all the tools, all the players that you want, all the players that you need to win a championship. I just think if we go out there, execute, play Michigan football, we’re going to get the win.”

Leinart named Hutchinson his Power Player of the Week for the performance against the Buckeyes. Hutchinson’s up to 13 sacks now this season, 3rd nationally behind only Alabama’s Will Anderson Jr. (14.5) and Army’s Andre Carter II (13.5). Hutchinson was already a widely-regarded lock as a top NFL Draft selection in next year’s draft, but his late-season play has some asking if he should be invited to New York as a Heisman Trophy finalist.

According to Leinart, that answer is yes.

“Last week, Aidan Hutchinson had 3 sacks,” the former Heisman winner said. “Now he leads the Big Ten in sacks and, in my opinion, deserves to be in New York as a Heisman candidate.”

You can see his full conversation with Hutchinson below: