There is no love lost between Michigan and Ohio State. That is indisputably true from a global perspective, but following a dominant performance from the Buckeyes in a 29-point victory on Saturday, Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott showed a bit of respect for a high-profile Michigan player.
Elliott reached out to Michigan's do-everything star in Jabrill Peppers, and the redshirt freshman came back with his own respect toward Elliott.
Elliott was the most dominant offensive player on the field on Saturday, leading a relentless Ohio State rushing attack with 214 yards and two touchdowns. Still, it was seemingly impossible for Elliott to emerge from the Big House without acknowledging a budding star in Peppers, and given that the running back is likely bound for the NFL, the two men won't share the field again at the college level.
It will be interesting to see the responses to this exchange, if only because fans are wholly irrational, but it is also nice to see some mutual admiration within the game's biggest rivalry.