Reflecting on this team
As we bask in the afterglow of sweet, sweet victory, I am contemplating just how remarkable and special this team is, and how they parlayed that into an excellent-turned-legendary season for the Michigan football program. Think about what this team consists of and the character they displayed this season:
- An NFL draft worthy defensive end that decided to come back to a team on the brink of shambles and established himself as the best defensive college football player in America
- A third year quarterback given his first opportunity in the starters role, openly accepting to split the duties with a hot shot freshman quarterback (who is a tremendous player), because he knows it makes the team better
- Freshman who were willing to wait their turn, continued to put in the work, and when called upon performed at an outstanding level
- A starting corner, dejected and seemly zapped of confidence re-establishing himself as the rightful starter on a team playing for championships
This team is not the norm. What they were able to achieve this season was truly remarkable. They told us they were special and most people laughed. And they never for a second stopped believing in each other. When they talked about changing the "culture", this is what they were talking about. When they talked about "preparation" this is what they were talking about. In terms of pure football talent, I wouldn't say this was Jim Harbaugh's most talented team (I would argue 2016 and 2019 were more talented), but we saw today why football talent alone doesn't always amount to championships. This team won the B1G East today because they were willing to put in the work when no one was watching. They believed in each other when most people paying attention wrote them off. And when their time came to beat a team that has tortured this program for going on 20 years, they didn't flinch and they vanquished them with tough, physical football until they broke their will.
This team will forever be remembered in Michigan football history as the squad that ended the most brutal streak ever known to The Game. They have some really talented players, to be sure. But they did it because this team has resolve, metal toughness and nerves of steel. Regardless of what comes next for this team against Iowa (wow, that's fun to say!), they have established themselves with some of the all time great squads in program history.
November 28th, 2021 at 12:26 AM ^
Outstanding stuff HTTV. This team really is special, and this was a game we will cherish for decades.
Here’s a nugget courtesy of Scott Bell:
Here's a recap of Michigan's second-half drives vs. Ohio State: - Drive 1: Touchdown (Hassan Haskins TD run) - Drive 2: Touchdown (Hassan Haskins TD run) - Drive 3: Touchdown (Hassan Haskins TD run) - Drive 4: Touchdown (Hassan Haskins TD run) - Drive 5: Victory formation
November 28th, 2021 at 1:16 AM ^
That last TD drive was literally Haskins running it 5 straight times for a TD
November 28th, 2021 at 12:29 AM ^
Well said. I agree with everything. It is remarkable how mentally tough this team is. Compare it to past teams that folded when the chips began to stack against them. These guys found ways to win at Wisconsin, at Nebraska, at Penn State and against the death star that very few gave them a chance to beat. Hats off, this team is special and will always be remembered fondly no matter the outcome from here on out.
November 28th, 2021 at 12:29 AM ^
I'm 41 years old, I've been a Michigan fan since I was knee high to a grasshopper. This is without question, the best victory I've ever seen.
It is so great to be a Michigan Wolverine
November 28th, 2021 at 12:30 AM ^
Amen. Truly a remarkable team. Go Blue.
November 28th, 2021 at 12:35 AM ^
I’m 43 and grew up in AA. Parents worked on campus so I grew up playing in the Diag and walking down State, Washtenaw, University, and Hill Streets.
I don’t think I’ve seen a better, more meaningful win. 1997 we knew we were good and knew we should beat OSU and WSU in the Rose Bowl.
this was just fucking glorious
November 28th, 2021 at 12:39 AM ^
23 year old Michigan fan. I can remember exactly one win in my life (2011). Everything else about Michigan football that relates to Ohio State is something I’ve read on a Wikipedia page or in a history book. I’ve witnessed the closest of close losses (2006 and 2016) and I’ve been present for the beat downs of all beat downs (2018 and 2019). Well, today, today I get to say that I just watched the best Michigan team I’ve ever seen in my life win The Game. I got to hug my Mom, Dad, and brother as time expired and cheer with them about finally winning The Game. I love this team and I love this community of fans. Go Blue!
November 28th, 2021 at 12:48 AM ^
Somewhere someone is still pissed that JJ didn’t start.
November 28th, 2021 at 12:51 AM ^
This will always be the team "THAT BROUGHT MICHIGAN BACK". We've had some good teams and special players, but this team makes me feel like we are back in the glory days of Michigan football.
November 28th, 2021 at 12:53 AM ^
Great job.
Thank you 2021 Michigan football
Glad I got to spend The Game in The Big House with my mom. A memory I won't ever forget
November 28th, 2021 at 1:07 AM ^
I'm 48, fan since birth since my father is an alum. I got spoiled by the Cooper years. Because I was only at UM for a 2 year master's degree, the only OSU game I have been to was the Biakabutuka game (which was pretty awesome). The last 10 years have been rough. Wish my dad and I could have been at this game
November 28th, 2021 at 1:17 AM ^
Let’s win our next three games a reflect. It’s been a hell of a ride thus far.
November 28th, 2021 at 2:07 AM ^
One of my favorite things about this game was that it felt like EVERYONE made an impact. It was all hands on deck.
Haskins and the OL obviously had a legendary performance. Cade made clutch throws when we needed them and kept the offense on track and organized. A bunch of different WRs all had a big catch each. AJ Henning with the TD run. Erik All blocking like a beast. Corum with a huge chunk run. Donovan Edwards snagging a not-great pass with one hand and turning it into a first down. Throwing a changeup with McCarthy and gaining some first downs to keep OSU on their heels. Hutchinson and Ojabo running rampant. Smith, Hinton, and JETER holding their own in the middle to shut down OSU's run game and get some TFLs. Josh Ross with a thundering stop. Brad Hawkins, Rod Moore, and Dax Hill flying all over the field tackling people. DJ Turner and Vincent Gray completing the cornerbacks' redemption arc by rising to the challenge and showing that they could compete with those circus freak WRs. Jake Moody (and the holder!) flawless on XPs in the slippery snow and booming kicks through the endzone. Brad Robbins punting well and downing OSU inside the 20.
Im sure I'm forgetting things but everyone played like champions today
November 28th, 2021 at 3:27 AM ^
21 years old here, and I only remember 2011 when it comes to beating OSU. My dad always tells me about the golden age of Michigan football and yada yada yada and it always makes me envious because I just so happened to grow up in the dark ages of Michigan football.
It only makes this OSU victory even sweeter. Not only is it the most significant Michigan victory I've ever witnessed against an insanely talented OSU team, but it also helped send us to a B1G championship. Given that I was in Indianapolis only a couple of weeks ago and sitting in Lucas Oil Stadium pondering what it'd be like if Michigan played on the field and now it's going to be a reality, it just really makes this year special.
Hell I even broke down crying in my living room for a long ass time once Cade took that final snap. I will always remember this Michigan team as the one that snapped the streak, slayed the giant, and depending on how the rest of the season goes, gave us the most special season in my lifetime. GO BLUE!
November 28th, 2021 at 5:42 AM ^
Hah metal toughness and nerves of steel made me laugh. It still feels pretty surreal and I couldn't be happier for this year's squad. I started watching Michigan football every Saturday as a teen in 2005 and this game is by far the best game I've ever seen a Michigan team play. Been watching highlights and halftime report videos of the glorious performance all night.
November 28th, 2021 at 9:05 AM ^
This is the happiest I’ve ever been with a Michigan win. For perspective, during the ‘97 championship (NYD’98), I jumped up and accidentally put two fist marks in the low ceiling of some coworkers who invited me over to watch the game. They were super nice about it and said every time they looked at it it reminded them of Michigan’s National Championship.
Moral of the story? This win was even more exciting to me and hasn’t even hit the ceiling yet.
November 28th, 2021 at 10:18 AM ^
Lots of great moments from yesterday's game. A small but important one that was caught on replay was Cade McMamara applauding and pointing to JJ McCarthy on the field after JJ's nice completion to Wilson.
This feels and looks like a team.