Thanks, Bob! That's a great list. We considered doing an all-encompassing list of best games, but opted for our favorite games because those are more personal. But the great thing about doing a list like this is that it can be whatever you want it to be. Kolesar HOF Bowl and 1988 OSU games both were games I loved, too!
All of the listed Top Ten wins are from 1969-present. I would add/replace/change games to include the 12-11 win at Chicago in 1898 against Amos Alonzo Stagg’s powerful team that led Louis Elbel to write The Victors, the 1903 6-6 tie at Minnesota that created the Little Brown Jug rivalry, Tom Harmon’s spectacular games in 1940 at California (41-0) to open the season and at Ohio State (40-0) to end the season. His performance in Columbus even earned him a standing ovation from the Buckeye fans. You need to research the wild event in the Cal game. Harmon won the Heisman that year. I’d also include the Snow Bowl in 1950, the 1988 Hall of Fame Bowl against Alabama won by Michigan 28-24 on a 4th down pass to John Kolesar with under 2 minutes to play, the 1988 win at Ohio State, Kolesar again, with a 60 yard kickoff return and a 40-yard touchdown catch to win 34-31, again with less than 2 minutes left. Maybe consider comebacks against Virginia in 1995, trailing 17-0 entering the 4th quarter, but Michigan scored three touchdowns in the final quarter (two failed 2-point conversions) and the winning score to Mercury Hayes as time expired, and 2003 at Minnesota, trailing the Gophers 28-7, then scoring 31 points in the 4th quarter to win 38-35. The 10th game is your choice.
We decided to go with our favorite wins we’ve seen in our lifetimes, but had we gone with the greatest wins of all-time, many of those early wins would’ve been included. Thanks for your input, as always!
Those were wonderful games, Steve! Here's my list:
1. Michigan 24 Ohio State 12 in 1969. Bo Schembechler takes over.
2. Michigan 22 Ohio State 0 in 1976 Michigan wipes out Woody Hayes and goes to the Rose Bowl.
3. Michigan 27 Indiana 21 in 1979 John Wangler to Anthony Carter to celebrate Team 100
4. Michigan 21 Washington State 16 in the 1998 Rose Bowl National Champs!
5. Michigan 45 Michigan State 37 in 2004 Braylon Edwards goes nuts.
6. Michigan 21 Penn State 13 in 1993 Joe Paterno with the first of his 9 losses to U-M
7. Michigan 34 Penn State 8 in 1997 Michigan vaults to #1 and stays there
8. Michigan 42 Michigan State 0 George Perles was certain sparty would knock our socks off.
9. Michigan 24 UCLA 23 Bo outcoaches Terry Donahue and wins on a FG as time expires
10. Michigan 35 Alabama 34 Tom Brady is da man
Honorable Mention: Every win over Notre Dame
That's a truly great list, Brian! The knocking the socks off win was great and I'd forgotten that one.
Thanks, Bob! That's a great list. We considered doing an all-encompassing list of best games, but opted for our favorite games because those are more personal. But the great thing about doing a list like this is that it can be whatever you want it to be. Kolesar HOF Bowl and 1988 OSU games both were games I loved, too!
All of the listed Top Ten wins are from 1969-present. I would add/replace/change games to include the 12-11 win at Chicago in 1898 against Amos Alonzo Stagg’s powerful team that led Louis Elbel to write The Victors, the 1903 6-6 tie at Minnesota that created the Little Brown Jug rivalry, Tom Harmon’s spectacular games in 1940 at California (41-0) to open the season and at Ohio State (40-0) to end the season. His performance in Columbus even earned him a standing ovation from the Buckeye fans. You need to research the wild event in the Cal game. Harmon won the Heisman that year. I’d also include the Snow Bowl in 1950, the 1988 Hall of Fame Bowl against Alabama won by Michigan 28-24 on a 4th down pass to John Kolesar with under 2 minutes to play, the 1988 win at Ohio State, Kolesar again, with a 60 yard kickoff return and a 40-yard touchdown catch to win 34-31, again with less than 2 minutes left. Maybe consider comebacks against Virginia in 1995, trailing 17-0 entering the 4th quarter, but Michigan scored three touchdowns in the final quarter (two failed 2-point conversions) and the winning score to Mercury Hayes as time expired, and 2003 at Minnesota, trailing the Gophers 28-7, then scoring 31 points in the 4th quarter to win 38-35. The 10th game is your choice.
We decided to go with our favorite wins we’ve seen in our lifetimes, but had we gone with the greatest wins of all-time, many of those early wins would’ve been included. Thanks for your input, as always!