I've made the drive from downstate to Houghton more times than I can count. 
The last 90 miles from Marquette to Houghton is always the worst. I always termed it the Indy 500, students going way way to fast.

Sunday is always the worst, too many students, often leaving too late and are in a rush to get back.

Ways to survive the trip back in bad weather:

Drive SLOW.

Leave early, no need to rush. (I have left at 4 am before)

Leave extra extra following distance - trains of cars often become accordions, the tail car may see rapid/drastic changes of speed from cars in front of them that they may not be able to see.

No passing period. Often a berm of snow is built up on the centerline of the road making it easy to loose control. Most passing lanes are not plowed during active snow storms. Visibility make is difficult to see oncoming traffic. People have died because students were passing when they they shouldn't have.

TURN ON HEADLIGHTS also keep snow from building up on the lights.

Don't use cruise control in bad weather.

Avoid snow belt areas like M26 and M28 if possible.

When possible be flexible in travel dates/times to avoid the bad driving conditions.