The most SATISFYING Michigan win you've ever seen...
Not necessarily the biggest upset or not necessarily even a rivalry game (although that can be factored in), but a game that made you feel as if you'd just won the lottery, football or basketball.
I'll give you mine: Football: vs Penn State, 2005-killed JoePa's undefeated season
Basketball: vs. Michigan State, 2011-at East Lansing. Sucked all of the juice out of my MSU coworkers the next day, and showed that Beilein and the Wolverines could put cracks into Izzo' machine.
Easy, '98 Rose Bowl!
April 13th, 2020 at 12:26 AM ^
I agree and especially because I was there.
Also the final 4 win in 1989 over Illinois, whom had beaten us by at least 15 pts in both reg season games.
April 13th, 2020 at 12:45 AM ^
I was at that game, too. It wasn't satisfying to me because I knew the margin wasn't enough and the voters would screw us (as the coaches did). I'd go with OSU 1997.
In basketball, I'll go with the national title game against Seton Hall.
Mine too - was the most ecstatic I’ve ever been after a game. Plus what a great venue. I always thought the clock controversy at the end was bogus because to my memory the play BEFORE the last play was us getting completely jobbed on a missing offensive PI call....
1993 or 1995 beating Ohio State
April 12th, 2020 at 11:19 PM ^
+1 for '95 Ohio...
Posted this in the wrong thread:
Michigan beating ohio state in 1995. Not just because it was a rival game as JDean mentioned -- but ruined their title hopes with Biakabutuka going off for 313 yards.
After the game, Cooper said it was his biggest disappointment ever.
So yeah, that's pretty satisfying.
April 13th, 2020 at 12:22 AM ^
to memory, yeah I'd agree with 95 OSU...Eddie George with the Heisman, OSU fans were well...OSU fans...confident they had it in the bag, delivering middle-finger salutes all the way to the game...then Biakabutuka went off. It was glorious. OSU fans peppered the alumni section and were vocal to start the game...by the end, it was constant chants of 'Eddie WHO'...glorious win. Ahhh the good old days.
close second beating Seaton Hall for the National Championship in 89. That was glorious. I remember the post-game in the streets of Ann Arbor...it just felt surreal.
OSU was NOT a road game. I was at the game with my son. Lived watching Touchdown Tim ramble/rumble over and over and over again!
Edit: Did Stig change road game to rival game or did I read the post wrong!? Guess I’ll never know!
April 13th, 2020 at 12:12 PM ^
Did Stig change road game to rival game
No.
I did not.
It has always been rival game.
I was addressing the statement in the OP which said, "not necessarily the biggest upset or not necessarily even a rivalry game"... because for me (I was there too), that was the most satisfying game even though it was a rivalry game.
I'm a lot of things but I have never edited a post when someone calls me out on something incorrect. Don't know where you would get that thought from.
+2 on that win in ‘95.
Whenever people say Michigan is back to its historical production, I’m always skeptical. I remember dudes like this, like Biakabatuka, Hart, Woodson, Edwards, Manningham...guys who could just shit on the opposition, put up insane numbers, and take over a game. We haven’t had anyone like that for a while. Denard could do it, but no one else comes to mind post-Carr. If we had a few guys like that in the Harbaugh era, and schemes to put them in positions to perform, it would put us over the hump, I’m certain.
The beat downs of MSU and Notre Dame this year were pretty satisfying. Same with Penn State last year.
In person, has to be 2011 Notre Dame. I had first row seats with students, I scalped a seat for my girlfriend (now wife) and sneaked her in with me. After the roller-coaster win, Denard jumped into my lap. The pics in the newspapers all had our pictures in them with Denard celebrating the win. It was ugly, but the ending celebration and the atmosphere under the lights was like nothing I'd ever experienced.
Was he trying to cut in on your girl?
The Braylon game was super satisfying. Hanging with some MSU friends and they lost their minds. Great Halloween memory.
2011 football vs OSU
April 12th, 2020 at 10:43 PM ^
Agreed. Although I'm not sure it was satisfying, but relief.
Was hoping denard would put 50 on them...
Remember me and my buddies in the stands saying "How are we gonna stop Miller just one time!"
Almost had a heart attack when he overthrew that long pass in the 4th qtr. Actually closed my eyes for a second. THANK YOU GOD, I remember saying.
Never, ever thought that would be the last home win in the series I would see this decade. Crazy.
Screw you Meyer. And Tressel. Here's hoping Fickell is their next coach after Day leaves.
April 12th, 2020 at 11:43 PM ^
I was at that game too and I remember having that same almost heart attack when with miller’s overthrown pass. The whole stadium let out a collect sigh of relief lol
April 13th, 2020 at 10:24 AM ^
Never, ever thought that would be the last home win in the series I would see this decade. Crazy.
Sometimes I'll go back and watch Wolverine Devotee's Youtube channel of old games while I'm doing mindless cardio at the gym and it hurts to see how many games could have been won. 2013 was so close (as was 2012 and 2016 although they were on the road). And, the 2017 defense was so stout, but we just couldn't overcome JOK's performance. Even just an average QB play that day could have won us that game. Watching that game also gets me excited about getting Evans back.
My choice too. Cathartic. Wasn't pretty and wasn't an amazing game like some of the others mention here. Satisfying is definitely a good descriptor for it. I wasn't going nuts and jumping for joy. It was just like Thank God. Finally. And damn even that was a while ago...
Capital 1 Bowl win over Tim Tebow and Urban Meyer.
You had the slow Big Ten couldn't keep up with the SEC speed narrative going, Michigan was a double digit dog, Tebow had won the Heisman and it was Lloyd's last game. There haven't been too many complete performances like that game since.
April 13th, 2020 at 12:32 AM ^
Ole Lloyd disappointed a bunch of Michigan fans over the years but the dude was money in a DISRESPEKT or payback game.
Except for the Mike Hart fumbles... WTF
April 13th, 2020 at 12:15 PM ^
That game was great... I was yelling at the TV where the fuck was this play calling the past couple of seasons?!
1997 vs Ohio State - the stadium and the game were just electric.
UM b-ball in the 2013 Midwest regional against 1 seed Kansas in front of their fans at the nearby regional home site. Trey willed his team to victory including the shot that changed the program to force OT. That game was the most satisfying for me. Nothing with UM b-ball has been the same since - for the better.
I really enjoyed the 1995 OSU game. I grew up in Ann Arbor, but this was my first OSU game as a student, in the student section. Watching Biakabatuka run for 300+ yards, was so much fun. I don't know if I enjoyed a game more than that one. Even though I went to the rose bowl in 98, this one stands out to me. I believe a freshman Charles Woodson got an interception in that game too.
April 13th, 2020 at 12:57 AM ^
Woodson had two INTs in the second half. Both while covering Terry Glenn, who had shot his mouth off in the press earlier in the week.
The 1997 game at PSU. I already hated Paterno and I had to leave for work at halftime. He was humiliated and beaten into submission well before then.
April 12th, 2020 at 10:15 PM ^
This is mine, though '06 ND is pretty fun too. I like when we demolish teams led by assholes.
Not the most satisfying, but an unexpected and very exciting win was that 3 OT win v. Illinois.
DEFINITELY not the most satisfying.
My comment after that game was that it was like having great sex with a bad person.
2006 Notre Dame. I remember how much hype Brady Quinn was getting from the NBC slappies it was ridiculous. From the start when Prescott Burgess took that tipped ball to the house and the boys mobbed the ND Marching Band in the endzone it was glorious. Then the Manningham show in the first half hauling in deep ball after deep ball torching ND's secondary was insane. By the time the second half rolled around Brady Quinn's helmet kept eating grass, Leon Hall had an incredible diving pick and Lamar Woodley's big-fella touchdown was the icing on the cake. I don't know if I've seen a more dominating Michigan road victory given the prestige/rank of the other team in the 2000's era.
1998 Rose Bowl
1997 Ohio State
Trey Burke Kansas game
2008 Capital One Bowl over tebow and urban meyer. We were just on fire that game.
April 12th, 2020 at 10:03 PM ^
I have to say the 2005 uofm vs Penn St was the most satisfying as a student. Somehow ending up 5 rows down from where I began, not to mention the parting and rubbing it into the PSU fans!
#2 would be the 100th game in the rivalry! 35-20.good guys. Doesnt get too much better than that!
Looking forward to hearing all yours!
Go Blue!
@2
April 12th, 2020 at 10:06 PM ^
Growing up in Ann Arbor, Ohio State week was like a holiday. I was in high school in 1980 and the team was coming off of a mediocre season. Made worse by early season non-conference struggles.
But they improved quickly. John Wangler wasn't exactly NFL material, but he got the job done and Anthony Carter was a threat on every play. Butch Woolfolk was the lead back, but looking at the numbers, they almost got three guys to 1,000 yards.
They hadn't been undefeated in the Big Ten in ages. They pretty much steam-rollered the league and went from unranked going into conference play to number 10. Everything on the line in Columbus.
It was a defensive battle, with the Wolverines keeping Art Schlichter (he was a great college QB, but had his personal issues later) out of the end zone. Wangler was shaky, but connected with Carter for a second-half touchdown, leading to a 9-3 win.
I'm looking at a summary to get the details, because those escape over the years. Carter's last-second touchdown at home against Indiana was fantastic, but more in a "amazing... but whew, can't believe Indiana was even in the game in the first place" sense.
This was a rivalry game that meant everything, on the road against a team that was championship material. Winner to the Rose Bowl. I looked forward to these games like nothing else, and nothing since.
April 12th, 2020 at 10:09 PM ^
2018 basketball @MSU. Facing Izzo's most talented team ever and it's Moe Wagner who's by far the best player on the court. Very gratifying.
As a kid who became a fan of U-M basketball around when Beilein took over, that 2011 win at Breslin was amazing. A win at Breslin had seemed unfathomable and I remember how good it felt when that Stu Douglas 3 dropped to ice the game
April 12th, 2020 at 10:11 PM ^
Michigan beats No. 1 OSU 24-12. 1969. Revenge for the year before when Woody went for two up by over 30 points in the 4th quarter when he went for two "Cause I couldn't go for three". I was 13 years old and at the game with my Dad. Best victory ever, followed by game 7 the year before for the Tigers World Series Win with Lolich. Fullback Garvie Craw was the man.
April 12th, 2020 at 10:59 PM ^
Definitely the 24-12 1969 game. OSU was ranked #1 and had won 22 straight games. It was Bo's first season. We got creamed the year before.
I was a sophomore.
I have seen many great games but this was by far the BEST!
Go Blue!
My choice as well. I worked for ABC that game. I remember the producer asking before the start if there was any chance Michigan could keep it close. At halftime, they were going crazy in a good way. Bill Flemming calling the game said it was the upset of the century. And then there was the late Jim Mandich crying tears of joy as he was carried off the field. I was the Sports Night Editor for the Daily that night and 420 Maynard was a blast that night.
April 12th, 2020 at 10:12 PM ^
1989 MBB against UNC. UNC had eliminated them the prior two years in the tournament.
1992 MBB against tOSU for a trip to the Final Four. Same arena, different concept.
April 12th, 2020 at 10:13 PM ^
Close -
Everything in 97 not mentioned below -
Really close -
97 Colorado (who came in highly ranked)
2000 Orange Bowl
UTL 1 or 2 for different reasons.
Really really Close -
95 OSU
97 OSU
98 Rose Bowl
Top -
97 PSU who were ranked 2 to our 4 and was favored and we took it to them. Their first offensive play from scrimmage when Steele breaks the line for a sack and I started screaming we just won the national championship (no, I wasn't dumb - I just finally saw an absolute will to win that champions need, and I knew we had the talent to do it - and we've been unable to muster over a season ever since).
Basketball -
Kansas, Burke winning the game in the same fashion as Steele, stepping up and just announcing we will not be denied. Until cheaters anyway.
April 12th, 2020 at 10:18 PM ^
1997 @ Penn St, hands down. Huge stakes game on the road, and it was absolute dominance from the first play, which was a huge sack by Glen Steele. Then there was the party at Bollinger’s house afterward.
April 12th, 2020 at 10:25 PM ^
2016 penn state was very emotional for me, I was going through a lot then. And 2019 destroying little brother was very satisfying.
April 12th, 2020 at 10:44 PM ^
97 OSU. Beyond that (because it’s obvious) the Brady Orange Bowl game in football. Winning the planecrash B1G tournament. The Molly-Denver NCAA regional weekend in 02 in hockey.
Actually, the most satisfying wins are yet to come. Beating OSU with the postseason on the line, and when U of M researchers announce that they’ve found a cure for Covid-19.
April 12th, 2020 at 11:17 PM ^
Brady Rose Bowl game?
April 13th, 2020 at 12:06 AM ^
Yeah, biffed that. Obviously meant the Orange Bowl win, but I was rushing a bit and, well, there you go. Edited.
April 12th, 2020 at 10:46 PM ^
1998 Rose Bowl National Champs!!!
To quote Bob Ufer, "We came, we saw, we conquered!!"