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2023 Big Ten Championship Game vs Iowa (Patrick Barron)

2023 Big Ten Championship Game vs Iowa (Paul Sherman)

(The first album is still being updated with new photos so keep checking in!)

Well, you all want to know how that went down? You know, the one part after the game we were all curious about? Well here's how that went down.

The clock hit zero and Michigan's bench entered the field to celebrate, but it wasn't like the last two years. A few players cheered, jumped up and down, and immediately grabbed their phones for celebration shots. But many of the veterans celebrated like it was an October win, going over to the Iowa players for some hugs and congratulations. Maybe by the time you win three straight Big Ten Championships it feels a bit more routine. Maybe all the emotion was exhausted after the Ohio State game and this was just a formality. Either way, Michigan quietly put the final nail in the Big Ten West division coffin (RIP you glorious mistake) and proceeded to socially mingle amongst themselves.

On the other side of the field, the Big Ten Championship trophy and a single staffer waited.
 

And then Joel Klatt arrived, along with Tony Petitti himself. The boos from the Michigan fans in the background were among the loudest sounds of the evening. It was then that they waited.

And waited.

And waited.

Michigan was in absolutely no rush to meet him at that stage. I even began to wonder if they'd just go straight to the locker room. This ended up not being the case.

Slowly the players trickled into the area just below the stage. Nobody went up, though. Trente Jones stood guard with a flag, a similar flag to the one paraded around Ohio Stadium.

And they waited.

Finally, someone must have told them to go onto the stage. Zak Zinter slowly went up first, crutches in hand, followed by Jim Harbaugh. Then a few seniors and starters.

Jim briefly shook Tony's hand. Unknown words were said.

And while I think Jim was pointing to Zak here, in my opinion this photo overall describes the vibe. One man here wants to celebrate with his team. The other wants the next five minutes to end as soon as possible.
 

The trophy was handed to Zak Zinter first, who proceeded to give it a kiss, as one does. The Rose Bowl isn't for four weeks so every bacterial and viral strain on it should be naturally immunized by then.

Also Mikey was awarded the game MVP trophy. Media gets two votes (one per team). I voted for Mike Sainristil and Tory Taylor, naturally.

And then Tony Petitti fled. No words into the microphone. He left the stage and fled back into his hole to a chorus of boos and middle fingers from the Michigan fans surrounding the tunnel.
 

From there, the mood got a bit lighter. Joel Klatt spoke to Harbaugh on stage. Jim asked the crowd "Who's got it better than us" followed by an erupting "NOOOOOBODY".

JJ crowned Jim Harbaugh.
 

And then some celebrations began with players. There were confetti snowball fights, confetti angels, video shoots, and autographs signed galore. Did it still feel a bit like a formality? Sure.

But was it fun? Absolutely.

And now here we are. Michigan is the #1 team in the country. They are going to the Rose Bowl. I've wanted to go to the Rose Bowl for 20 years. I know a lot of you have. Finally.

Who's got it better than us?

Nobody.

About the Photographers

If you'd like to support us, one of the simplest things you can do is follow us on social media (links just below) where we post way more photos than here. In the offseason I also do a LOT of wildlife/national park photography. While we're not allowed to sell any of our sports photos per our credential agreement (sorry to anyone who reached out asking about one), I sell prints from my adventures which I sell on FineArtAmerica. You can buy prints (or just look at some pretty pictures) here: Patrick Barron Art Collections Or if you'd like, you can simply support me by buying me a coffee!

Social Media Accounts:

Patrick Barron:
Twitter: @BlueBarronPhoto
Instagram: @BlueBarronPhoto
Instagram (BUT WITH BEARS): @BlueBarronPhoto_Wild

Paul Sherman
Twitter: @thedailypsherm
Instagram: @thedailypsherm

[Oh and there was a football game after THE JUMP]

See you in Pasadena