This Week's Obsession: The Best Game
The question this week is a simple one. Of the Michigan games you've attended, which one is your favorite, and what makes it stand out so much?
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Seth: I've got so many Michigan memories with my dad that I can't separate (or I'm just not ready to think about) them, but even if I could it would still be the one when I started going without him that sticks out: The '98 Penn State game.
It was a chilly, kind of overcast, sweatshirty Michigan fall afternoon and I was a first-year flying solo. My freshman year came right after the national championship and the "Halo" stadium expansion, and that meant fewer student seats available with way too much demand. The freshmen were at the bottom of that list, thus I wound up with the option of getting only a "half-pack" or no tickets. Since I went to all the games with my dad and his friends anyway, what did it matter? So it wasn't until the PSU game, when my dad wasn't going, and Steve Kyritz offered me his ticket, that I got to see my first game from the student section. Since I'd been informed not sitting in your seat was SOP in that mass of human bodies, I wound up squeezed and standing sideways on a bench in the 30-somethings.
And it was a hell of a game to do that. That PSU team was very good (they came in ranked #9) and the last time we'd faced them was Judgment Day/Party at Bollinger's House. Michigan was still floundering in the #20s because of the two losses to open the season.
What made the day was each time Penn State got near us they'd get blown back by three sections of 18- to 21-year old raging psychotics possessed of toilet paper rolls and marshmallows. The Nits didn't arrive until later in the 1st quarter, and Michigan blocked a FG. They came down again and Michigan stood them up on the goal line three times before PSU let time expire in the quarter to get the hell away from us (they didn't get in on 4th down either). In the 4th quarter Penn State kept getting pinned deep against us, and the linemen couldn't hear the calls, meaning we were treated to a TFL fest. Michigan won 27-0 and by Mondaywas back in the top 15.
Michigan with my dad was this paced thing we enjoyed like a baseball game while he and his best friend worked through their complicated lives. His standard cheer was a clap-clap-fistpump. PSU '98 was the first time I experienced the Big House as a visceral thing I did with my whole body. I still sat with my dad at least a game a year, but when it came time to sign up for '99 student tickets I was one of the first in line.
The Mathlete: I don't think that was the real ticket, I didn't see the official game sponsor noted anywhere.
[Hit THE JUMP for the obvious answer, a far less obvious answer, and one that falls somewhere in the middle.]
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Brian: There are different answers for this depending on whether you're talking about how I felt in the immediate aftermath of the game or how I feel about it now.
Immediate aftermath is easy: 2010 Notre Dame. I was there, Denard ran towards me on his "shoelaces flapping in the wind" Bergkamp run and dove in that endzone after engineering the drive that didn't seem possible en route to 500 total yards... 500 total yards at ND. I mean, you guys. The possibilities were absolutely endless right then.
We lingered in the stadium as long as possible, finally leaving when the band did. We ended up going in the same direction, so we just trailed them as they did their cadence. By the time we got to some random Indiana Chili's I was completely exhausted and just so, so happy. It was the best time at a Chili's ever. By anyone. I had the best time anyone has ever had at Chili's.
Unfortunately, it just didn't really work out, man. For various reasons from elbows to Greg Robinson to Al Borges Michigan frustratingly wasted that guy, and so there's a bittersweet tinge to those memories.
So let me put on the old man cap and say the obvious one: 1997 Ohio State. Beating OSU to go undefeated and put yourself in position to win a national title with a defensive performance so ridiculously dominant and that punt return was electric. You could feel the crowd progressively lose its mind, relax, and then tighten up again as Michigan raced out to 20-0 lead and then let it slip back to 20-14. When it was finally obvious that no one was getting 20 on this Michigan D, the validation of Woodson--his coronation--was complete.
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Photo credit: Lon Horwedel/AnnArbor.com
The Mathlete: As the non-legacy non-local Michigan fan, I didn't even make it to my first game at the Big House until the 2010 Michigan-Illinois shoot out. I brought my dad with me (decked out in his Kansas State gear everyone mistook for Northwestern) and spent the cold morning tailgating with JamieMac featuring guest appearances by Tim Sullivan (of MGoBlog at the time) and Seth (not of of MGoBlog at the time).
The game itself, well it was something. It turned out to be the last fun moment of the RichRod era. 130+ points, three overtimes and the closest thing to a defensive stand the Greg Robinson era ever produced. There was no Rose Bowl at stake, no Big Ten title. No one knew what the future held but the luster from the Notre Dame game Brian mentioned was long gone, but this was a fun Saturday. Denard had a head injury of some sort and with his job on the line, RichRod threw Tate Forcier back into the fire and still managed to score on virtually every possession.
Within two months Forcier, Rodriguez and [GERG] Robinson were all long gone and everyone quickly moved to forget an ugly era of Michigan football. But it was a great day for my dad and I and one I'll never forget. It was a great day for my dad too and we even made it back to the hotel in time to watch Kansas State throttle Texas behind 9 yards passing.
Seth: "Seth (not of of Mgoblog at the time)."
Of MGoBlog was I, but went I then by a different name.
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Ace: I had much the same quandary as Brian when coming up with an answer to this question—perhaps even more so, since my time in the Michigan student section spanned from 2006-2010, and U-M's home schedule in 2006 was rather underwhelming. Think back on the rest of those years and you understand my plight.
That's an issue, since I'd really like to pick a game from my time as a student. While I was lucky enough to start going to games at the Big House in 1994, and saw such classics as the Biakabutuka game and the aforementioned '97 Ohio State and '98 Penn State contests, my youth-clouded memories of those games are almost entirely reinforced by subsequent rewatchings later in life. Choosing one of them, for me, would be akin to picking the '98 Rose Bowl, and I watched Woodson intercept Leaf from the comfort of my neighbor's living room.
Part of me wants to cheat back a few years before college and pick the 2003 Ohio State game, but that took on much more significance in the rivalry drought to come. (Also, by that point I was truly spoiled by Carr's dominance over Cooper, and hadn't yet recalibrated expectations for this Tressel fellow.) Another part wants to say Under The Lights I or the 2011 Ohio State game, but I worked both of those games; as much as I love my job, it's tough to say my greatest Big House experience came during a game in which I wasn't allowed to cheer.
I'm left with games that were best appreciated in the moment. I considered the 2008 Wisconsin game, the most fun I had in the student section at U-M. The 2009 Notre Dame game came to mind, as did Denard's coming-out party to open the 2010 season against UConn.
In the end, though, I have to go with a game that didn't take place in Ann Arbor. After suffering through The Horror, The Dixoning, and the subsequent questioning of everything I ever thought I knew about Michigan football, I nevertheless joined a group of friends in a caravan to East Lansing, where we were greeted my many a green-and-white "34-32" T-shirt.
Our seats were in two different pockets of the exceedingly confident MSU student section; Spartan students had been given inflatable spears upon entering the stadium, which predictably led to constant poking of the Michigan fans seated among them. Proverbial fightin' words were uttered.* This was my first road game, and it had all the components necessary for an intense, potentially glorious one: an evenly matched rival, a seat deep in enemy territory, and the pure adrenalin rush that comes from willingly being in a place where one may not be entirely safe.
It didn't pay off until the end, of course, but when it did—it's tough to even describe the feeling. MSU scored 21 straight points to go up by ten with just 7:40 remaining. Mike Hart, by far my favorite player during my time as a student, saved the day by recovering a Ryan Mallett fumble when the freshman had to replace a banged-up Chad Henne for a snap. Then RoboHenne activated, floating the most beautiful pass I've ever seen in person to Greg Mathews to bring Michigan within three, then winning the game by lobbing one up for a leaping Mario Manningham.
The stunned silence in Spartan Stadium as State's final drive petered out was my everything. The walk back to the car, heads held high, as we gleefully reminded any MSU fan idiotic enough to bring up The Horror that they'd just lost to the team that lost to that team was wonderfully cathartic. I love the Big House and have countless memories from that beautiful building, but there's something about the road game experience that's tough to top.
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*One such verbal foray by an MSU student aimed at one of my friends—which I cannot reprint here for a multitude of reasons—backfired so hilariously that he was disowned on the spot by his group of friends. He stood silent, horrified, for the rest of the game. Few moments in the stands have been more rewarding than seeing his face go sheet-white when he realized his attempted insult was really a self-mocking for the ages.
You must be around 84? I don't think there are many fans on this blog who were at games while Fitz was the coach! I only go as far back as Bo!
As a student: The 1991 Desmond Howard "Catch" game against Notre Dame. I was so focused on the line of scrimmage and believed the 4th and 1 was going to be a run by Ricky Powers I didn't notice Desmond out in the pattern until Grbac heaved it into the end zone. (Cool story bro moment: Desmond sat next to me in Sociology class when he made the cover of Sports Illustrated the week after the gam. The autograph seekers were so thick I couldn't get out of my seat for five minutes.)
As an alumni: UTL I with my dad where ironically they were celebrating the 1991 ND game. Felt like everything came full circle for me.
Did you get an autograph as well? Inquiring minds need to know.
Unfortunately no. He was signing the Sports Illustrated covers and I didn't have a copy. I guess I should have looking back. I did sit next to him for the rest of semester because he and I always sat in the back of the room.
After thinking about this for a bit, this is pretty much the only game I could choose...and what a game it was. Last game in the student section (as a student, anyway), knowing exactly what was at stake...can't really top it. Woke up to a very cold and snowy morning (although most of it had melted by the time we got into the stadium), and this game just felt electric from the word go. Like Brian said, you could feel the excitement and tension kind of ease up just a little bit once we were up 20-0, and then start to creep back up again once the bucks tried to come back. I absolutely loved the moment Marcus Ray blew up David Boston...and then getting to rush the field at the end and celebrate with some of my closest friends capped what was an amazing Saturday.
Graduation was especially sweet a few months later, when not only did I get to see a National Championship for football, but also got to get to see one for hockey too when Red and the Wolverines knocked off BC in Boston. What an awesome senior year!
'97 vs OSU was the last game I attended as a student. It was pretty chilly but we kept warm by pouring some cinammon schnaps into our hot chocolate. There were some old(er) dudes with rubber Michgan helmets going NUTS next to us, and made the whole experience much more entertaining. The chants of "Heisman" and "Boston" were so sweet. I still have the stub and a copy of the Michgan Daily from the day after the game somewhere. Good times.
I live way too far to attend more than one game per year, but I have been lucky to have attended both UTLs vs. Notre Dame at Michigan stadium. Both games have been amazing, albeit the experience has been vastly different. 2011 was just the sort of thing that aggravates my heartburn, but worth it at the end.
The Catch.
1987 hime vs Miami. we were crushing them...then the crowd started chanting nah nah goodbye song late 3rd qtr!!! u thought it was wrong as a soon to be freshman....then miami overcame three td deficit to win. Will never forget their fans waving this giant red and black hurricane warning flag in the corner of endzone.
The second was the Colorado game...after Kordells pass, the crowd didnt funnel out til a good five minutes after the game, in shock.
hook up. So I'm watching the game on TV and my wife walks in the room to ask if the game was over. I guess I'd been sitting in my chair for a good twenty mintues just staring at the screen.
Revenge was ours though. They came back to Ann Arbor three years later and we knocked their dick in the dirt to start that magnificent 12 game run.
Yep - the goodbye song coupled with that damned hurricane warning flag was just brutal (it was in '88, by the way).
I don't think anyone picked 2011 OSU as their favorite. Sure OSU was bad, but it was a lot of fun, everyone ran onto the field, everyone was pumped all game.
Under the Lights really sucked for about 3 quarters. The place was basically a morgue. The end made it worth it, but I wasn't a happy camper for about 3 hours.
I watched 1997 OSU on VHS after my high school team lost in football regionals. I saw the 1997 Penn State game in an emergency room waiting to get a broken hand x-rayed after another game.
I could go about ten different directions on this one. 1995 OSU. 1991 FSU. 1997 ND. 2002 Washington or Penn State. 2003 OSU. 2004, 5, 6, or 7 MSU.
For my money, though, there was something special about 2005 PSU. For everyone who says the stadium never got loud before the boxes, they weren't there when Manningham caught that pass. Deafening. Everything about that game was bonkers.
By far my most enjoyable game was the 1969 OSU game. I graduated just before Bo was hired, so I saw the end of the Bump Elliott era as a student but stayed in Ann Arbor and went to grad school. After seeing the 1968 game on closed circuit TV at Crisler and hearing Woody say the reason he went for 2 points after the final TD was because he couldn't go for 3, everyone was still seething by the time the 1969 game came around. It was several days before I could really talk, which did not distinguish me from the other rabid fans at the game. It was great right up to the very end, because it was almost as if you were waiting for a dream to end. People had been saying all year that the OSU team was the best in the history of college football. Bo and the team put an end to that kind of talk! It was great!!!!!
The first was the 2005 PSU game. As a college graduation present, my uncle and aunt (both psu alums) took me on their alumni group's annual "1 away game". That year it was fortunate enough to be at Michigan, and I got to witness Henne to Manningham from the end zone directly in front of me. I'll never forget the throng of PSU fans I was surrounded by literally deflating, while I alone celebrated like a madman.
My only other game there was the 2008 Fan Endurance Game. Some fellow Mich friends and I borrowed a 1991 Winny and drove through the night to see it. We walked into the stadium right as Stevie Brown picked one off. We thought it would be a great day. 3 hours and inches of freezing precipitation later, we watched the final Sheridan pass sail out of the end zone.
The yin and the yang of Michigan fandom.
Ohio 1993 - we weren't very good that year (losses to ND, Sparty, Illinois and Whisky) and everyone thought Ohio was going to destroy us. There was a lot of red in the Big House that day. But Ohio was just totally outmanned that day and we dominated them on both sides of the ball. Game ended 28-0. The loss knocked Ohio out of a Rose Bowl berth and sent Whisky instead. We went to the Hall of Fame Bowl that year when that was what i was called. A great game.
How is this even a legitimate question? It's the 1997 game against Ohio, and it's not even close.
Vs. Eastern Michigan September 19, 2009, 45-17 Blue. I grew up a huge Wolverine fan in St. Joe, MI, but I've lived in St. Louis for the past 19 years. Sadly, I left Michigan at age 20 without ever making it to the Big House. I later married a St. Louisan (we are both crazy cardinal fans) and busily set about infecting her with Wolverine Fever. On that September weekend in 2009, my wife said we were going on a surprise weekend getaway as my early birthday present. All the way headed north on 55 I needled her for the location--assuming it was Chicago--but she refused to spill the beans. Exiting onto I-94 East around the southside of chi-town, i suspected we were headed to my hometown...but we passed St. Joe by. Finally, she couldn't hold it in and told me we were headed to Ann Arbor to see UM play at the Big House. Wow...WOW!! I married well, what can i say? It was an amazing Saturday of tailgating and football--followed by an amazing night at the hotel--and it will always be my most memorable game...:)
The students who attended school during the RichRod Era were seniors in 2011, and they had never experienced great Michigan Football as students. Not to knock Rodriguez, but the acrimony was as bad as the losing, if not worse.
Going to the game as a parent, the students seemed so young to me, and when that game was over, I saw so many with this look on their faces I had seen on my children, of just pure joy, mixed with total surprise, like the world just opened up into something greater, and something that hadn't even seemed possible. Part of me wanted to say to them "THAT'S what I'm talking about," because I had felt that before - in 1997 and 2003 and many, many other times. But this was their time to run around in the streets, hug total strangers and share all that happiness. And I got to feel, or at least believe that I felt, a part of what they were feeling, like I was young again. To this day, "Dynamite" still makes me feel better, and typically I can't stand music like that.
During the RichRod Era, I lost my job, I lost my house, and I lost my belief in myself. That game reminded me that it was OK to not be cynical or jaded, but to feel hope and joy and camaraderie, and to look forward, even when the past has kicked your ass a little. Hey, we're all still here, and you guys are awesome!
Sorry to hear about the tough times you went through, and hope things have gotten better.
Really appreciate it, but I am fine. I'm working again, our living situation is fine, and I'm getting my confidence back. And I have a great, supportive wife, three awesome kids, and some of the best friends anyone could have.
My point wasn't about how bad things were, but that they can and will get better, and that this game, and everyone who was there - the players, the fans, the whole team - reminded me of that.
I had to work that Saturday afternoon. But I did get to hang on every note from Ufer's crooning of the utter boot stompin' kick ass of some aTm Aggies in 1977.
For me after some thinking about what games I've been to, I realized that the only choice I have is the '08 Capital One Bowl over Florida. Wanted to pick a Michigan Stadium game but most of the ones I've been too have been against cupcakes (ticket price/availability).
This game/trip was my 16th birthday present from my parents. Dad and I went down the day after Christmas and enjoyed a week in Florida. Went to the BC/MSU Champs Sports Bowl where I proudly wore a Big Ten Conference T-shirt and pretended to root for Sparty because of my sister being a student there but really, could care less. Realize now that it was the BC team that was Quaterbacked by Matt Ryan and was probably the best team they've had in 25 years, so that was pretty cool.
Really remember the fan fest for the two bowl games that they had. That had the bands of all 4 schools and a bunch of activites. Tebow's Heisman was there as well. My dad's quote to the M fans next to us in line for a photo with it? "Desmond's was bigger." Remember Brandstatter getting up and getting the Michigan fans in attendance to chant "one more win" for Lloyd. Anyone else who was there have memories from the fanfest? Honestly probably one of the best gatherings on Michigan fans I've been too (Up there with the bars pregame for basketball vs Kentucky in Indy this past spring, beer may have helped that one though).
Of course there's the game itself. Which was pure awesomeness. No need to rehash that. But there being maybe at best was 10% Michigan fans, the rest true down deep south ESS EEE SEEE Florida fans, many of which bought shirts for $20+(!) saying "Beat Michigan and that rat they brought with them". Watching those guys walk out while we stayed and celebrated was priceless. But the postgame interviews with players? That will always stick with me. Listening to Shawn Crable answer the ESPN reporter's question about being prepration for the game? "We had to listen to KIRK HERBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBSREIT say we ain't got no chance" to a roar from the MIchigan fans was the best. Getting to walk out from the upperdeck, to a crowd of Gators waiting still for with everyone in maize and blue chanting "It's Great to Be a Michigan Wolverine" will always stick with me as a moment of pure fandom"
Anyone else with memories from this game?
Sidenotes:
Best Michigan Stadium game?: My first, Rice 1999 a 7 year old, amazing seats by pure luck. 6th row 45 yard line. Was first row until a week before the game we got a call from the Athletic Department telling us we were moved so recruits would have those seats.
Worst games?: The Horror.... and Toledo '08. Idk how a 15/16 year old me got through those games without drinking
Best worst games?: Northwestern in '08. Nothing to play for. Lost. Miserable weather. We sat under the construction of the luxury boxes, in a spot that dripped on us the whole game. Never been so cold and wet. But Damnit we stayed until the final play and then went to the basketball arena for the open practice before the team went and upset UCLA in NYC. How's that for fandom endurance badge?
I'm in the Navy, currently stationed in Sicily, and I got the inkling last June to give my older brother Tony a birthday gift that all the rest will now be compaired to. So I plan months in advace and purchase tickets from stubhub for the Notre Dame game under the lights and book a flight home a few days before the game- Im still making payments on my Visa card for this, but it was all worth it. Mind you, my brother is a molder of young minds, currently serving a sentence in the Maryland Public School system, and you cannot just drop everything and leave town whenever you feel like... Lesson plans must be made! So with this in mind, His Fiance scheduled his days off, unbeknownst to him. Oh, and he had no idea this was happening until I showed up at his doorstep on tuesday night and made him cry like a school girl. So, that thursday, we made the 10-12 hour journey from MD to Grand Rapids to see family and swung through Livonia on our way there, to pick up our season ticket holder cousin. That saturday morning we made the cross state journey to AA where our cousin brought us to meet his buddies, one of which was a former long snapper for michigan during the Rich Rod era. After we tailgated at the golf course for several hours with some people I never met, and drank all their beer, we made our way into THE BIG HOUSE. This was only my second experience here, and it was the largest attendence on record for any college sporting event in history. As we packed in, nut to butt and elbow to elbow, and charles woodson's voice boomed over the PA "this is Michigan", I realized that besides my wedding night this was best night of my entire life... And then the Wolverines beat the Irish 41-30, with one of THE BEST performances by Devine Gardner to date, and Jeremy Gallon was nothing short of stellar.
Go Blue.
I'm probably a little older than the average MGoBlogger (graduating in 93), but do recall a few memorable games. The one that comes to mind first is the ND game where Michigan needed to get about a yard to get a first down. Everyone expected that, and flabbergasted to see Elvis fake the hand off, do a fake pump to Desmond Howard in the flat, and then loft a high pass to the back of the end zone. No! No!! No!!! was my only thought. Then Desmond laid out for seemed like an eternity to make the catch. The crowd goes wild! One of my roommates had taped the game (yes, via VCR) back in our apartment. As soon as we got back to the apartment, we re-watched that play about a hundred times.
Unfortunately, I was also at the MSU game (in Ann Arbor) where Desmond got tripped in the endzone and no penalty was called. It was horrible that there was no call, but Desmond should have made the catch anyways. He had made many other far more difficult catches. The Big House never sounded so quiet on the walk out.
1. 1971 OSU Michigan completes undefeated season, Billy Taylor, Woody going nuts, F-4s flying missing man directly over stadium at halftime
2. 1979 Indiana.
3. 1984 Defending national champs Miami of Florida- we pick off Bernie Kosar 4 times and make it look easy 22-14
4. 2010 UConn- watching Eliot Mealer walk unassisted out to the M banner
5. 1981 Notre Dame #1 ND comes into town led by ex-high school coach Gerry Faust and leaves with tails between legs. 25-7
As said my many others so far, UTL I was the best atmosphere for any game I have ever attended.
Other notables: My first ever game attended was 2002 MSU game, which was the 49-3 beatdown. I went with my best friend at the time, who was freshman at MSU. By the end of the game, he was actually rooting for Michigan. Also, 2007 Notre Game was probably number one as far as pure joy immediately following the game. I had been at the Oregon game the previous week and we needed a win so badly. Let's just say I didn't feel so hot the next day.
Worst experience in person: at first I thought 2007 Oregon, but it had to be the 2005 Ohio game. Still not sure how we let that one slip away. Yes I'm still angry.
2007 Oregon was God Awful. I was in the third row with my Dad, and I can still rememebr the ducks coming out after halftime with a sledgehammer and beating down on the Block M...It was like an empire had fallen.
I was at neither the '69 or '97 Ohio games, but those would have to be the top two contenders for greatest games in Michigan Stadium.
I'm guessing it'd be hard to say which one was "better." Both must've been electric; '69 for its "shock the world" qualities and '97 for its achievement qualities. I don't think '71 rates quite with '97 b/c 'in '71 there was #1 vs. #2 Nebraska-Oklahoma. (The famous Johnny Rodgers punt return--why does there seem to be a huge punt return in all these games?)
I've alluded to the 1988 Miami game as my #1 and #last, but here is a list of great ones I've seen in person:
- 1979 AC game: tripped up from VA when I was 9, sat in EZ where AC scored
- 1988 Illinois: clinched Rose Bowl, rushed field, almost got Hillsborough'd up against the brick wall
- 1989 MBB vs. UVa in Lexington to go to Final 4: Rice and Higgins both had 30 and we blew them out from start to finish. Mark Koenig (a walk on who was a worse player than many guys I played pick-up with at the IM and CCRB) got extensive minutes at the end.
- 1990 NCAA Hockey vs. Cornell: the "CYA" chant originated in December of that season and was a full-on staple of the Yost crowd by the time Cornell rolled in. They copied the chant during the series, took it back to Ithaca, then claimed they were the ones who started it. The true originators: Cameron Crazies, who've been doing it since the '80s when an opponent fouls out. We saw it when Eric Riley fouled out...my roommate used it that night at a home hockey game, and the rest is history.
- 1991 vs. ND: "The Catch"
- 1991 vs. OSU: "Helloooooo Heisman!"
- 1991 MBB vs. Duke: Fab 5 Introduces themselves to the world
- 1992 MBB vs. OSU in Lexington to go to Final 4
- 1995 vs. OSU: Keep talking, Terry Glenn
- 2010 at ND: Denard clowns ND, highlighted by "damefan1" eating his youtube words. To his credit, he never took the vids down.
There's probably a lot I'm forgetting.
Best home game probably 1997 Michigan-OSU thought UTL comes close.
Best away game was 2000 Orange Bowl overtime win. Great game. Incredible perforamnce by Brady. And Alabama fans were very cool.
I didn't actually see the pose because I was at the opposite end of the stadium and it happened so quick, but I sure loved the sea of scarlet and gray leaving the game early.
I remmeber thinking that Michigan had become so superior to Ohio State that the rivalry was in danger of becoming irrelevant on the national landscape. I want a time machine.
http://youtu.be/G3wSUL3kk1w
I think what we're missing is what made Biakabatuka possible: our OL making holes to run through.
The 1968 Minnesota game is one that stands out for other reasons, not the game itself. In those days, one could bring what you wanted into the stadium, since it was usually just over one-half of capacity. The young lady who accompanied me brought fried chicken and brownies. I brought the Molson's Canadien. I thought to myself, "Here's a woman who enjoys Michigan football on a late October day, is a great cook and baker, and enjoys her beer. You should think about marrying her." I did. Great decisions are often based on the simplest things.
I cannot believe how many comments have been posted and how the 69 M-OSU game has been forgotten as the greatest in "recent" history. Now I know most of you were not born when this game was played. But then you all must have heard the Bob Ufer replays and seen the replays on BTN.
Fer God's sake this was the game when the World's Greatest College Football Team got beaten by Woody's understudy's team.
I have witnessed almost all home games since my freshman year in 1963 and can tell you that we have been blessed by many great games in that 50 year "recent" span. All of the games mentioned were fabulous. Even some losses (like Miami-FL and Colorado and even several OSU games) were terrific games but forgettable due to the outcomes.
The 69 game though takes my vote. And that day was my first in Army Basic Training at Fort Ord CA so I missed it. There was a group of 15 or 20 of us together from a Jackson MI Army Reserve group who listened to Van Patrick broadcast the Notre Dame game that day and pronounce the scores of M-OSU during his Notre Dame commentary. We were delirious about the results of course. There can be no other "greatest" game than M-OSU in '69!!
That being said, UTL I and 2011 OSU were my favorite games to attend. UTL I was nothing short of pure magic, and watching Denard do the things he did that night, while simultaneously ripping ND's heart out 2 years in a row, were just an absolute privilege to get to watch. And 2011 OSU needs no explanation. I don't care that they were a 6-6 Fickell-coached team. Just like they don't care that we were 7-5 last year. We beat those assholes, and that's that.
And as heart breaking as it was to watch the ending for, 2013 OSU was definitely up there as one of my favorite games to be at. No one gave us a chance. Admittedly, neither did I. And we came out and punched those turds right in the mouth, clawed back from being down 2 TDs, and were a 2 pt conversion away from pulling off possibly the biggest upset in the history of the rivalry. Gardner played a near flawless game with a broken foot and a shattered body. It was easily the most emotional sporting event I've ever been to. And I went to the title game against Louisville. To see the team pour its heart and soul into that game, give every last bit it had, and come up just short was hard to see.
October 1, 1977. The buildup to the game was as big as anything I have ever seen outside of a bowl game or OSU. Every day leading up to the game, Tony Franklin could kick a field goal 10 yards further downfield, George Woodard gained 10 pounds and cut a 10th of a second off his 40 time, and Curtis Dickey grew wings on his heels.
I had my wisdom teeth out at the Dental School that week (a story in and of itself) but wouldn't miss the game despite the pain meds and the miserable weather.
It was worth it to see one of the most dominating Wolverine performances of all time.
Quite surprised more peeps didn't pick that one. Finally registered with MGoBlog because I feel strongly enough that this was truly the best game I have attended at the Big House.
Maybe it's because I was a senior. Maybe it's because my dad was to my right and a former MSU marching band member was to my left. And when so many (mostly Michigan) fans left, we all stayed. And screamed for our teams until the very end. We felt like champions because we stayed, earning the chance to witness one of the greatest Michigan games ever played. In the end, we were exhausted and elated.
Yes, The Game is, year-to-year, more exciting and higher pri.
But there was something special about the '04 MSU game - it was one of the few games where the fans and the players became...one.
See, I took this question as a game that you just thoroughly enjoyed. The Game '97 I spent terrified that Ohio State would climb back in and take this beautiful thing from us. Michigan had just screwed OSU out of awesome seasons in '95 and '96, and we all felt the Big Ten was out to get us.
Braylonfest I remember finding annoying because I wasn't yet used to 3:30 starts, and because MSU was spread-'n-shredding us to death until Stanton got hurt. Then they carted the lights in and they were shining right in my eyes. The end happened so quickly it was more surreal than enjoyable for me. I walked out being like "did I really just see that?" And still terrified of zone reads. Also it was my first year not living in Ann Arbor so I didn't have my gameday down or anything.
The '98 PSU game I just enjoyed from start to finish. The student section back then was like they'd triple-cloned everyone at Yost, gave them liquor, and crammed them into a phonebooth. You could still carry in plastic bottles then so people filled their Cokes with 75% rum. During commercial breaks there were always people hiding between the rows passing a joint. And Michigan just owned them all day in the most "we are the defending national champs you not" way possible. It was so...college.
Comebacks are awesome but for 90% of those games you wanna sick up.
Last year's Game rates up there for me too despite the outcome. I was sitting with BiSD, which if you've followed that guy on Twitter you know he's the best for spur of the moment quips in-game. And that game was just awesome to behold--except when Michigan got hosed on two crucial calls and I wanted to stab things.
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