Favorite Michigan season...with a twist

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January 19th, 2011 at 11:22 PM
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Yostal
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Favorite Michigan season...with a twist

Threw this out on Twitter tonight, but I thought I would get MGoInput.

The premise is simple: What is your favorite Michigan season?

The twist: Michigan cannot have won a Big Ten championship in said season.

My choice is 1995, which is my senior year in high school. 

  • Lloyd's first season.
  • The 17 point comeback in Virginia.
  • The awesome that was Mercury Hayes.
  • The underrated Scott Dreisbach
  • Jarrett Irons at linebacker
  • The epic 5-0 game against Purdue which has to be a Fandom Endurance II badge, minimum*
  • And last, but certainly not least, Biakabutuka dials 313 against Ohio State.

Sure losing to Penn State and Michigan State sucked.  Sure getting beaten by Northwestern hurt a little less when you realize they were in the middle of a Cinderella season.  Yes, it's hard to accept that there was no Notre Dame game on the schedule a year after Remy broke their hearts, but 1995 is a pretty great year.

*-Did anyone actually break down the Fandom Endurance Badges and the standards for which one earns one?  I know Northwestern 2008 is Fandom Endurance III because it was freaking cold, in the middle of a miserable season, and it was Northwestern, but I am wondering if the Central Michigan "Return to your Cars" game is Fandom Endurance II?  Does the weather play a more central role than the opponent, which is to say, could a horrible weather game that Michigan won lessen the degree of a badge?  Thoughts?

Craig Barker || The Hoover Street Rag || Twitter

"The Michigan fanbase: a cynical, Eeyorish bunch even in the best of times."

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January 19th, 2011 at 11:24 PM | 2006. No question. (Score:1)
goblueritzy92
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2006. No question.

January 19th, 2011 at 11:26 PM | I agree, 2006.  What a (Score:1)
um4life
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I agree, 2006.  What a amazing year.  Up to mid-November.  Our defense was fantastic...cant wait to have a stacked D like that in the coming years.

To OP - that Virgina game from 95 was Amazing, I will give you that.

January 19th, 2011 at 11:29 PM | No argument on how amazing (Score:1)
Yostal
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No argument on how amazing 2006 was, but I can't put 2006 in my favorites because of the triple whammy of

  • Bo dying the day before the Ohio State game
  • Losing to Ohio State
  • Getting passed over for Florida after Urban Meyer campaigned for his Gators.

Getting housed by USC in the Rose Bowl didn't help that either.  Best vs. Favorite is a tricky thing.

I certainly cannot begrudge anyone who would pick 2006, but I can't do it.

Craig Barker || The Hoover Street Rag || Twitter

"The Michigan fanbase: a cynical, Eeyorish bunch even in the best of times."

January 19th, 2011 at 11:34 PM | no way can a season (Score:1)
Benoit Balls
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in which a loss occurs to tsio could ever be on my list of favorite anythings

ALWAYS remember the golden rule: He who has the gold, makes the rules

 

January 19th, 2011 at 11:40 PM | i think that after Bo died (Score:1)
Mi Sooner
Joined: 02/09/2010
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Carr lost the will to go for it after that; thus, the two seasons of pain that came after that.  So yeah, 2006 for football, had to suck the hardest.

Born in Oklahoma
Raised in Ohio
Escaped to Meechigan

January 19th, 2011 at 11:49 PM | Carr campaigning (Score:1)
Yostal
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It's interesting that you should mention that.

One of my friends theorized that Bo's death affected Lloyd a great deal and it's not so much that he lost the will as much as he was trying to honor his mentor by letting his team's play on the field do the talking.  It's what Bo would have done and he was trying to follow that lead.

This may be something else we never know.  Unless Lloyd writes a book.  Which I don't see happening.  Even though I would so read it.

Craig Barker || The Hoover Street Rag || Twitter

"The Michigan fanbase: a cynical, Eeyorish bunch even in the best of times."

January 20th, 2011 at 12:07 AM | Let's get Bacon on this book! (Score:1)
wolverhorn
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Let's get Bacon on this book!

January 19th, 2011 at 11:28 PM | 2006 (Score:1)
Waggles
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i agree completely. that season was magical, with the ohio state game being one of the greatest games i've ever seen, even though we couldn't win it. The week leading up to the game, with Bo passing away and all the incredible hype that the game actually lived up to, will never be forgotten. Absolutely amazing year.

ITS GREAT TO BE A MICHIGAN WOLVERINE

January 19th, 2011 at 11:35 PM | I would agree to this but the (Score:1)
yostlovesme
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I would agree to this but the ending just left such a giant taste of bile in my mouth for months to come that it ruined the season for me.  The first 11 games were amazing, but I died alot in side the last two.

January 19th, 2011 at 11:26 PM | 1997- National Championship (Score:1)
jhackney
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1997- National Championship and the beginning of a 10 game winning streak over PSU. It was fun to see their hatred boil up over the years. You would think someone kidnapped their first born.

January 19th, 2011 at 11:31 PM | I was all ready to build on (Score:1)
wolverhorn
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I was all ready to build on this and just say 1997-1998 school year with Michigan Hockey winning the national title that year too.  But then I read his twist on the question.

In that case I gotta go with 2006.

January 19th, 2011 at 11:32 PM | oops (Score:1)
Waggles
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I may have kidnapped a couple first borns.. Sorry about that.

But I think we may have won the Big Ten title on the way to that national championship, as Hoke was trying to tell Drew Sharp

ITS GREAT TO BE A MICHIGAN WOLVERINE

January 19th, 2011 at 11:34 PM | Yeah (Score:1)
Michigan Manders
Joined: 12/18/2010
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Yeah we definitely weren't Big Ten Champions that year; we only made it to National Champions.

Anyway, 2010 due to Denard Robinson and I only really got into Michigan football in 2007 (though I'm now the biggest fan out of my entire family, where my parents both went to Michigan and my sister is currently a senior there.).

January 19th, 2011 at 11:51 PM | +1 (Score:1)
T.W.S.W.B.Champions
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+1 for being a new (relatively) Michigan fan.

January 20th, 2011 at 12:00 AM | For me, it was 2006 by a long (Score:1)
MAIZEandBLUE2002
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For me, it was 2006 by a long shot. We werent really ranked that high in the preseason polls. Then we went into South Bend and whipped that ass and that put us on the radar so to speak. Yes, we lost to oh st, but it was the first time both were undefeated, and ranked 1 and 2. It was the game we all dream about. Unfortunately, we didnt come out on top, but I will never forget that day. Taking a shot in remembrance of Bo before kickoff with 20 friends/family all rooting for Michigan, It was the most electric atmosphere for a Michigan game that I was ever apart of. (Not counting actually being at the Big House of course). It was a day I will nevr forget.

THOSE WHO STAY WILL BE CHAMPIONS

January 19th, 2011 at 11:27 PM | 2006 for sure. (Score:1)
nowayguy
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2006 for sure.

January 19th, 2011 at 11:27 PM | 1994 (Score:1)
Schembo
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I always liked the 94 team...no idea how we lost 4 games and PSU went undefeated.

January 19th, 2011 at 11:37 PM | 1994 (Score:1)
Yostal
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Someone suggested last night that the 1994 team was snakebit in an incredible fashion:

1). The Kordell Stewart ...look we don't need to go back over this, but it's also funny that Penn State hates this game, because if we had won, it would have helped the perception of their strength of schedule and they would have been national champions.

2). The playcalling was suspect.

3). The team may have just "given up" near the end.

And yet, with four losses, Michigan still finished the year ranked #12.

Craig Barker || The Hoover Street Rag || Twitter

"The Michigan fanbase: a cynical, Eeyorish bunch even in the best of times."

January 19th, 2011 at 11:44 PM | 94 (Score:1)
Schembo
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Amazing how identical those two teams were and where they ended up.  I agree, they seemed to give up near the end...really tanked against a mediocre OSU squad. 

January 19th, 2011 at 11:48 PM | Imagine if there was an MGoBlog (Score:1)
Benoit Balls
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after that debacle acgainst that decidedly mediocre tsio squad in '94. Would there have been a banner with Mo, Lloyd and Kittens?

ALWAYS remember the golden rule: He who has the gold, makes the rules

 

January 19th, 2011 at 11:45 PM | i was just writing up a post to this effect (Score:1)
Benoit Balls
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but you did so much more succinctly that I was preparing to do. nice job

*as an aside, am I alone in thinking after losing that year to the Buffs, that mentally, the team didnt believe they could beat Penn State? That game should have been"The Clash of the Titans" or so it seemed at the beginning of the season, but once the loss to Colorado happened, the wind was kinda out of the sails?

ALWAYS remember the golden rule: He who has the gold, makes the rules

 

January 19th, 2011 at 11:48 PM | I don't think confidence was (Score:1)
jmblue
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I don't think confidence was a problem against PSU.  That was a really good game that went right down to the wire.  I think it was really that game that started the downward spiral.  If we could have pulled it out, we might have gone on to win the conference.

January 20th, 2011 at 12:37 AM | I just remember (Score:1)
Benoit Balls
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being down 2 scores at halftime, only having put up a fg in the first half. And I didnt think we got it closer than 7 for the rest of the game. Granted, when I was 16, anytime Michigan was losing seemed like the end of the world

ALWAYS remember the golden rule: He who has the gold, makes the rules

 

January 20th, 2011 at 1:42 AM | Oh yeah - I forgot we fell (Score:1)
jmblue
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Oh yeah - I forgot we fell behind by a bunch.  But we definitely tied it up.  It was 24-all and then they scored the game-winner.

January 20th, 2011 at 7:18 AM | Coming out in the 2nd half down 3 (M) - 16 (PSU) (Score:1)
Muttley
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Wheatley took the first snap to the house and Mich followed with another score shortly thereafter to go up 17-16. 

PSU & Mich then traded touchdowns (I forget the order), with PSU converting the 2pt try and the game was tied at 24-24.

Penn State went up 31-24 on a pass from Kerry Collins to Freddie Scott.

Mich took its final possession near its own 30.  Wheatley took the ball to mid-field on a heroic run, almost breaking loose to take it all-the-way after breaking multiple tackles and rumbling, bumblin, stumblin.  We got to the PSU 40, but we turned it over on downs to end the game.

January 20th, 2011 at 9:53 AM | I stand corrected (Score:1)
Benoit Balls
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it was Homecoming that night and I was trying to lose my virginity, so my attention waned towards the end of the game, lol

ALWAYS remember the golden rule: He who has the gold, makes the rules

 

January 19th, 2011 at 11:46 PM | Also, Tyrone Wheatley - the (Score:1)
jmblue
Joined: 11/07/2008
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Also, Tyrone Wheatley - the preseason Heisman favorite - was banged up for much of the season (and then down in Columbus, someone stole his helmet). 

January 19th, 2011 at 11:58 PM | 94 (Score:1)
Schembo
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Never really hit the ground running that year with Wheatley starting out injured.  The D really underperformed that year as well.  There some good talent on that D...Ty Law, Trevor Pryce, Steve Morrisson, Jason Horn, Irons, etc.  I remember that 94 PSU game vividly.  I remember getting home from the game and watching it agian on tape.  Keith Jackson was in his prime that year...called a hell of a game.

January 19th, 2011 at 11:31 PM | 1993 for sure (Score:1)
Benoit Balls
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I was a junior in high school down here in C-Town, we had Wheatley and Law, and we beat #5 tsio 28-0. All the Buckeye fans were awfully quiet that following Monday. And growing up that was (and still is) the best part of beating OSU...I had 9 months of being able to simply reply to any of their insane ramblings  with "Scoreboard". Oh how I miss those days 

ALWAYS remember the golden rule: He who has the gold, makes the rules

 

January 20th, 2011 at 10:33 AM | Seconded (Score:1)
profitgoblue
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I was a freshman at Michigan and that was definitely my favorite year.  That OSU game was crazy - my shins were bruised for weeks after that game from jumping around the stands with my buddies and falling all over the place.  It was outstanding.

Disgruntled former moderator.  I got a lot of problems with you people!

January 19th, 2011 at 11:36 PM | I was at the 5-0 Purdue game. (Score:1)
Zone Left
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I was at the 5-0 Purdue game.  My Mom wanted to leave.  I won the argument and am proud of it.  

What a disaster...

It's all John Navarre's fault.

 

January 19th, 2011 at 11:42 PM | The Purdue quagmire (Score:1)
Mi Sooner
Joined: 02/09/2010
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was worse than the northwestern game from a crappy/shitty weather standpoint.  All I remember from the purdue game was that my dad and his two sisters (yes, my aunts) were in a car just before game start.  i being much younger and stupid said, 'give a ticket, i'm going'.  my dad's youger sister said, well if you're going i'm going.  we walked across the golf course in a blizzard; got tot he club house in stinging sleet; got to our seats with the wind blowing like snot with rain.  it took me days to warm up again.  it was warmer with less wind than the Northwestern game.

 

funniest moment in the purdue game was watching mercury hayes going for a pass in the game; he dove for the ball and did a belly slide through a mud puddle/lake along the north east out-of-bounds side line.  i really felt for him -- that just had to suck.  he hydroplaned on the surface of the puddle for about 10feet before sinking into the deepest part of the lake, err puddle.  the stadium was grass during that era and not good grass either.

Born in Oklahoma
Raised in Ohio
Escaped to Meechigan

January 19th, 2011 at 11:39 PM | Favorite Michigan Season with a Twist (Score:1)
Blazefire
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1 1/2 Part Bourbon Whiskey

1 tsp superfine sugar

1/4 part grenadine

Shake over ice

Pour unstrained into rocks glass

Top with

4-5 Parts Bo Merlot

Twist of the yellowest lemon you can find

"This is the EMU game, not the emo game."
January 20th, 2011 at 4:13 PM | I just like the use of the (Score:1)
yostlovesme
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I just like the use of the word yellowest.

January 19th, 2011 at 11:42 PM | 1980 Was a great season (Score:1)
SpyinColumbus
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After starting 1-2, the Michigan passing game began to materialize with John Wangler and Anthony Carter. Throw in the running of Butch Woolfolk and a defense that improved as the season went on. Learned the terms like McCartney's Monsters and Chorus Line Defense from Ufer. Great finish beating Art Schlichter at OSU and wearing down Washington to win Bo's first Bowl game. Great Joy that season.

Brady Hoke - High quality recruits one or two at a time.

January 19th, 2011 at 11:42 PM | 2004 (Score:1)
934SState
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2004.  Solely based on the afternoon/evening of October 30th. 

Those who stay...

January 19th, 2011 at 11:44 PM | Big Ten Co-champs, sorry.  I (Score:1)
Yostal
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Big Ten Co-champs, sorry.  I mean, not sorry, but sorry, not eligible.

Craig Barker || The Hoover Street Rag || Twitter

"The Michigan fanbase: a cynical, Eeyorish bunch even in the best of times."

January 19th, 2011 at 11:44 PM | 1999 (Score:1)
jmblue
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MGoPoints: 28969

My sophomore year.  Brady was the man, although it took a little while for the staff to realize it and give him the job full-time.  Almost every game that year went down to the wire, usually in our favor.  That may have been our best passing team ever.  Brady at QB, a great pass-blocking OL, David Terrell, Marquise Walker, Marcus Knight and DiAllo Johnson at WR, a few good TEs (Shawn Thompson, Bennie Joppru), Aaron Shea at FB and A-Train at RB.  The D had some awesome talent in the front seven (Rob Renes, James Hall, Josh Williams, Dhani Jones, Ian Gold) but was a little thin in the secondary.  If only William Peterson hadn't been kicked off the team... 

January 20th, 2011 at 11:52 AM | Young whipper-snapper! (Score:1)
profitgoblue
Joined: 09/01/2009
MGoPoints: 19415

You're a young whipper-snapper!  For some reason, I always thought you were older than me.  Good times.

I concur - 1999 was a fun year.  I loved watching the A-Train run.

Disgruntled former moderator.  I got a lot of problems with you people!

January 19th, 2011 at 11:47 PM | 1999 (Score:1)
dlevs01
Joined: 09/12/2010
MGoPoints: 33

Good early win over ND 26-22, tough win on the road over Wisconsin, terrific comeback down 10 at Penn St in the 4th, Brady to Quise with about 5 minutes left to beat OSU, OT win over Bama for our only BCS win, not bad...

January 20th, 2011 at 12:43 AM | Agreed (Score:1)
Cock D
Joined: 06/30/2008
MGoPoints: 421

Being at the ND game and the PSU game that year was sublime.  That team was great with comebacks... if only they'd known how to get out of the gate early.

"Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man." - J.Lebowski

January 19th, 2011 at 11:48 PM | 2 for me (Score:1)
funkywolve
Joined: 10/08/2008
MGoPoints: 1948

I'll take 1999 over 2006 almost anyday.  Beat OSU and beat Alabama in the Orange Bowl.  Great comeback win at Happy Valley too.  2006 was nice but losing to OSU and losing the Rose Bowl takes the shine off 2006 some.

1985:  10-1-1.  Beat Nebraska in the Fiesta Bowl and finished #2 in the rankings at the end of the year.

January 19th, 2011 at 11:52 PM | 1985. No. 2 in the land, (Score:1)
NateVolk
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1985. No. 2 in the land, beating Nebraska in a great Fiesta Bowl game. Also beat tsio.  Jim Harbaugh was a hell of a leader. The year that signaled the early tremors of the shift towards a more pass confident offensive style using a pocket gunslinger type quarterback.   Seen also in 86, but coming to full flower under Moeller and then Lloyd.

"because character wins in life and character wins on the football field....."  1-11-11

January 19th, 2011 at 11:56 PM | 1999 (Score:1)
MadMagician48
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I would say 1999 because they finished the season with wins over Ohio State and also had the memorable game in the Orange bowl vs. Alabama.  Plus the first time I got to watch a game inside The Big House was that year against Notre Dame.

January 19th, 2011 at 11:57 PM | 2006 (Score:1)
gObLuE1992
Joined: 01/12/2011
MGoPoints: 1193

2006

 

 

January 20th, 2011 at 12:02 AM | 1985. (Score:1)
토린
Joined: 04/07/2009
MGoPoints: 13893

1985.

January 20th, 2011 at 12:09 AM | 2011. Neg me if we win the (Score:1)
redwings8831
Joined: 03/05/2009
MGoPoints: 1016

2011. Neg me if we win the Big Ten Championship because then this violates the OP's twist.

If you can't get into college go to State.

January 20th, 2011 at 12:22 AM | i concur with (Score:1)
michimoby
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i concur with 1999.

Interesting story: Brandon Short (one of Penn State's starting LBs that season, next to Arrington) is now a good friend and former colleague of mine, and when we first met I started talking about my undergraduate years at Michigan -- including the comeback win at Happy Valley that the MMB attended.  I had to bite my tongue on my own enthusiasm for that game because he clearly was a bit sour about it all.

Good guy, just didn't want him to hate me for more than three minutes.

--------------------------------------------

"I cannot think of a better person to guide our university's athletic strategy than the inventor of The Noid."

January 20th, 2011 at 12:46 AM | Loved the 99 PSU Linebackers (Score:1)
Cock D
Joined: 06/30/2008
MGoPoints: 421

Played with one of them (Graham) in HS and against the other two (Arrington and Short).  Studs all and good guys.

'99 game at HV was insane - come from down 10 (11?) in the final 8 minutes, with the final TD into the PSU student corner.  Nuts!

"Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man." - J.Lebowski

January 20th, 2011 at 12:23 AM | 2006 (Score:1)
JoeBlue-MaizeRage
Joined: 01/20/2011
MGoPoints: 3

I have to say 2006, but I enjoyed 2008 just as much. At the time it was a very hard season to be a Michigan fan, but looking back I realize that that season was so chaotic you had to enjoy it. During the year I thought we could get no lower, but that made Lloyd's finale against Florida that much better. 

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