Where would this win rank for you?
Simple question. Obviously I’m assuming nothing because I know the task of knocking off the Death Star is immense. But IF Michigan were to pull this off, where would it rank in terms of big wins in your lifetime?
Safe to assume anyone 30 and under would probably have it at the top. I was 17 when we won the Rose Bowl to win the national title. I was a huge fan then, but I don’t think I appreciated it like I would now. I know this isn’t a national title game, but I would still probably put this at the top if it were to happen.
November 23rd, 2021 at 12:36 PM ^
This would be the best win since Chris Perry and Braylon tore up the defending national champion and #2 OSU for an outright Big Ten Championship in 2003.
And this would top even that.
November 23rd, 2021 at 12:42 PM ^
As someone who doesn't have any memory of Michigan games prior to 2002, yeah, this would sit right there with the win in 2003 after having to watch them steal a Natty from Miami via Tresselball. And I would say it's better because back then we felt like equal programs, but now a win over them is a major upset. 2011 was fun, no doubt, but we were supposed to win and nearly didn't. This would be the most satisfying Michigan upset since I remember watching this team
November 23rd, 2021 at 1:58 PM ^
Yep, I was at that game in 2003 as a junior in high school. Sat in the student section (thanks to my cousin), rushed the field, made some memories that weekend. Cool story bro, I know.
This game would be bigger than that because of how the rivalry has changed since then. In 2003, we knew we could hang with OSU. When I started at Michigan two years later in 2005, it still felt like real parity with OSU. Every year that game was close and had national implications. That was just expected.
Hell, I still have a tshirt from that 2003 game, which was the 100th meeting between the teams, with the series record on the back. 56-37-6 at the time. Sigh.
November 23rd, 2021 at 5:45 PM ^
I was a freshman in 2003. I’m not sure any game will ever top that for me. Maybe if I witness a NC in-person or something like that.
November 23rd, 2021 at 12:38 PM ^
Best win since 1997 Rose Bowl.
November 23rd, 2021 at 1:13 PM ^
At least the most meaningful since the 97 Rose Bowl and 97 osu. Although the party on South U and Duderstadt's house after psu was also pretty epic. (edit: it was Bollinger's house; Duderstadt left in 96)
So probably number 3.
November 23rd, 2021 at 12:39 PM ^
Up there with 1969 - 24-12.
November 23rd, 2021 at 12:48 PM ^
This would be my ranking. And I would have at both of them.
November 23rd, 2021 at 4:15 PM ^
I was at that game. It was a huge, emotional win. But it was more like an upset than a miracle. In contrast to our recent drought, we'd won The Game in 1964 and 1966, but dropped a couple in 1967 and 1968. A decade of misery hadn't preceded it.
This win would feel bigger to me - if it happens.
November 23rd, 2021 at 12:40 PM ^
Probably be #1 for me it has been a long 15-16 years. I remember 1997, I remember 2003. I know our luck is not as bad as it sometime feels but I feel like we are due.
November 23rd, 2021 at 12:40 PM ^
#1, without question.
November 23rd, 2021 at 2:55 PM ^
After all the difficulties we've had with the Buckeyes as of late, and going to our first Big Ten Championship and possibly our first invite to the National Championship games, I'd say this would be a number 1 as well. '69, '97 and '03 were great in their own ways and times, but where this team is here and now, and the potential rewards for winning it, I'm going with '21.
November 23rd, 2021 at 12:41 PM ^
Even if we run the table and win the natty this would be #1 for me
November 23rd, 2021 at 12:42 PM ^
Let’s win the game and see how we win it before making this judgment.
November 23rd, 2021 at 2:13 PM ^
completely agree, we as fans shouldn't look forward or we might make mistakes watching the game when it occurs.
November 23rd, 2021 at 2:21 PM ^
Sure thing, rational Wolverine fan.
/S
November 23rd, 2021 at 12:42 PM ^
Football - Number 1 easily. Since I have been old enough to be a fan, Michigan has won once against OSU and never had a chance to win the Big Ten title. Part of the reason I’m a Jim Harbaugh believer is that he’s the only coach I’ve seen get us within a reasonable shot at either.
Overall Michigan Sports… probably still number 1, but Trey Burke hitting the step back 3 in the NCAA tournament is close.
November 23rd, 2021 at 2:48 PM ^
I was in dallas when Burke hit that three watching live. Pure bliss. Greatest sports moment with my dad and brother by my side. We drove 20 hours from Michigan that Thursday for the Friday evening game. Still one of my greatest memories.
November 23rd, 2021 at 12:42 PM ^
My very first OSU game when I was 7 years old was the tim biakabatuka game. That is still one of the best memories I have watching a Michigan game.
This would probably surpass that. I was too young to realize that Michigan doesn’t win every year. And now, well, it’s been a long time. A lot of agony. A lot of heartbreak. This would be one of the best sports memories of my life. Probably only second behind being at the double OT wings vs blues game 7.
November 23rd, 2021 at 12:46 PM ^
Engrained in my memory forever is Gary Thorne: “Yzerman moving blue chance…(dink) SCORE! Steve Yzerman, Detroit Wins!”
November 23rd, 2021 at 1:17 PM ^
What a great moment!
Also this will forever hold a place in my Michigan sports fandom
November 23rd, 2021 at 2:25 PM ^
-1
I’m an A’s fan.
November 23rd, 2021 at 3:08 PM ^
-1000
I'm a Blues fan.
November 23rd, 2021 at 12:43 PM ^
#1, but I also didn't start really closely following until 2008.
November 23rd, 2021 at 12:44 PM ^
for me that i recall, its tied for #2 i think.
#1 - 1997 - UM vs. OSU - was there. was great. freshman year. still remember it.
#2 - 1997 - homecoming vs. Iowa. That game looks dicey into the 2nd half, and we pulled it out. I list it because i was there and i remember it.
Because of how important that game was, I put it up there, but in terms of recency bias, itd be outright #2.
Bottom of the list where I attended:
Game against McNabb
OSU game with Tate Forcier as QB (2008?) Just brutal. Fumbles at the goal line, red filling the stadium. was awful.
November 23rd, 2021 at 12:54 PM ^
Yeesh. Yeah. I was there in 2008, too, but we were SO BAD that year (we came into that game what, 3-8?) that it didn't sting nearly as bad as some prior OSU-UM games I've seen in person. 2005 still stings for me personally.
November 23rd, 2021 at 1:10 PM ^
Looked it up - it was 2009 at home. lost 21-10. that team was 1-7 in conference, but we had 5 f-ing turnovers including one for a returned TD. 4 picks by forcier and a fumble return for a td. woof. Perhaps the worst UM QB stat line in that game ever.
Incredible that the 10-2 buckeyes beat that garbage 5-7 team 21-10 ... now look how much better we are, and how much better they are, and many expect a blowout. Their ascendency has really been disgustingly remarkable.
November 23rd, 2021 at 3:24 PM ^
Yup yup....2009. 2008 was in Columbus, of course, and THANK GOD that I was not there in person for that one.
November 23rd, 2021 at 3:02 PM ^
Same #1 for me, absolutely!
For me #2 is a win in the mid 90s we had on a winter day in E.L. against a good State team. Super fun to be there in a stadium full of Sparties...
Roughest for me that I attended was the Colorado Hail Mary. Devastated silence. The McNabb game was tough but not quite as suddenly shocking... I also remember a last second loss to Miami (YTM) as a tough one when I was a little kid...
November 23rd, 2021 at 12:45 PM ^
I am 35 years old. I was at the last Michigan win over OSU in 2011 with my dad and loved storming the field. I watched the 2011 ND game from a hotel room and almost broke my foot celebrating that last-second touchdown by jumping up and kicking air, just missing cabinet, the night before competing an Ironman Wisconsin. I was in the endzone section during the 2018 Penn State game.
If Michigan were to win Saturday, it would be the greatest win in my lifetime due to every factor behind it. Simple as that.
November 23rd, 2021 at 12:57 PM ^
Some years back, in the midst of our bad string to OSU that still continues today -- but a bit before it became completely out of hand, like it is now -- I recall my dad saying to me, "Gee...I sure hope I see another Michigan win over Ohio State before I die." We chuckled a bit.
Now, some years later, I find myself asking the SAME QUESTION about ME.
If not now...when?
November 23rd, 2021 at 12:45 PM ^
Number 1. 97 was obviously huge but I had only been a fan for 5-6 years because I came to school from out of state. After bottoming a few times in the past 2 decades, this one feels more significant for me.
November 23rd, 2021 at 12:49 PM ^
It would fall within my top 3. 97 OSU game #1- Night game comeback vs ND win D. Robinson to Gallon #2...Had a dream last night we start the game off 10-0. Not sure how it ends.
I believe. We need to have that stadium rocking louder than it ever has.
November 23rd, 2021 at 12:51 PM ^
This thread is making me feel old.
November 23rd, 2021 at 3:54 PM ^
If you don't have '69 first you're not old enough. Woody in '69, the team that could beat the Vikings.
Bo's first year after they hung 50 on us in '68.
One of the few times I saw my dad cry.
November 23rd, 2021 at 4:47 PM ^
"cuz I couldn't go for three" - Woodrow Wilson Hayes
November 23rd, 2021 at 12:51 PM ^
Second only to 1997, even with 1995. In other words it would be rapturous, believable only because we saw it happen.
November 23rd, 2021 at 12:52 PM ^
It'd be bigger for me personally than 2003 (I saw that game in person, by the way). There's just more at stake here. The B1G championship game didn't exist in 2003. The CFP didn't exist in 2003. And this OSU team would beat that 2003 OSU team by a considerable margin.
Plus, in 2003, Michigan was favored by 7. Now, we're 7 point dogs.
November 23rd, 2021 at 12:56 PM ^
97 all over again.
November 23rd, 2021 at 1:00 PM ^
The 1997 season will always be the GOAT. It's the year I fell in love with Michigan. Ann Arbor was unforgettable.
After that, I don't think anything will surpass the 2011-12 senior year for me. Denard is second to Charles Woodson as my favorite player. Under the Lights is a peak memory. Storming the field after beating OSU is a peak memory. Yeah, those Michigan teams and opponents were mediocre (although so is this Michigan team, IMO). But it was so satisfying after 3 years of RR.
My favorite memory of watching a game from home is probably Trey hitting the shot. This could potentially match that based on how it plays out. But it won't be the same as it was when I was a student or watching in the Big House.
November 23rd, 2021 at 1:01 PM ^
I was 5 years old during the 1997 season and the Rose bowl so I don't have any memories of watching the game live.
Beating the eventual BIG Champion Penn St team 49-10 in 2016 is up there.
2011 and 2003 wins over Ohio St were big. I was at 2011 and 2003 gave us the Big Ten Championship.
This would probably be the biggest win, and maybe quickly replaced the following week with the biggest neutral site game since the '98 Rose Bowl.
November 23rd, 2021 at 1:01 PM ^
My distant memory goes back to Denny Franklin running around, but good memory of games doesn't last that long - mid-late 70's... I would put a win Saturday as #2 - right behind the 1998 Rose Bowl win over WSU for the National Championship.
#1 - 98 Rose Bowl
#2 - Comes Saturday
#3 - 1997 OSU
#4 - 1997 PSU (because I was there)
#5 - 1986 - Fiesta Bowl over Nebraska
November 23rd, 2021 at 1:08 PM ^
If we hadn't been robbed in 2016, and 2006 for that matter, it would be a top 5 win for me. As it is, I'd have to say #2 behind 1997 because of the last 20 years of darkness.
November 23rd, 2021 at 1:08 PM ^
Being that I was a kid in 97 and almost strictly a pro sports fan at that point, as a Michigan fan would clearly be #1 for me. The basketball win vs Kansas (Trey Burke shot) is very high for me, but this will easily surpass anything on the field, especially considering what OSU has become as of late.
November 23rd, 2021 at 1:09 PM ^
Since I've been a fan, which started in my undergrad season in '08? #1, far and away. Nothing else would even come close, which should seem fairly obvious given I came in right when everything more or less hit the fan.
November 23rd, 2021 at 1:10 PM ^
#1 for sure. I was at games in 2003 and 2011. Honestly almost forget what it felt like. For my lifetime though, this would be far and above anything. If it happens, it completely changes things for Michigan as it would be a huge step. I also would party so hard there would be a chance I don’t make it to Sunday.
November 23rd, 2021 at 1:10 PM ^
As someone born in 2000, this would top it by a long shot
November 23rd, 2021 at 1:13 PM ^
It would be an all-timer for me. I'm 37 and I was Freshman at Michigan when we beat OSU and stormed the field, it was legendary. I have a photo from that day hanging in my office. That being said, I want this for the older guys here more than anything. We never what tomorrow brings for any of us, I just want to see guys like MGrow and Don (cranky pants that he can be at times) get to see it happen at least once more. I think this can be the year Michigan gets over the top, if they do, I'm definitely going to be partying like my college days, hangover and three kids be damned! GO BLUE!