What Are Your Top 3* Games From The Last 3 Seasons?
*OUTSIDE of the 3 games versus OSU, and the next 2 of this season...
...what are your top 3 games from the past 3 seasons?
(all 3 can be from the same year, you can do 1 per year...doesn't matter, other than OSU games and our next two CFP games this year, put them all in the same bucket, now what are your top 3?)
December 8th, 2023 at 6:14 PM ^
Honestly, I ask this question because I'm going to go back and watch some old games in their entirety over the next few weeks. I'm interested in what the board would say are the top 3 from their part of the Harbaugh era.
December 8th, 2023 at 7:13 PM ^
I don’t think this game was particularly well played by Michigan compared to others that could be picked, but to me the answer is easily Penn State 2021. Why? Michigan had already lost to (redacted). One more conference loss and it’s a repeat of 15, 17, 19, and 20 where Michigan would have entered the OSU game in a situation where regardless of what they did they couldn’t go to Indy whereas OSU would (again) be entering the game with everything to play for.
With 8 minutes left in the 4th, Michigan was up 8. 2 minutes and 5 seconds later they were down by 3 after a touchdown, a 2 point conversion, an immediate turnover and a field goal. It dawned on me, after Penn State kicked the field goal, I was probably watching the final 5:55 of what would turn into the beginning of the end of Harbaugh’s tenure at Michigan.
Of course, All happened and Michigan won. But, I sincerely doubt Michigan beats OSU in 21 and has unprecedented success the next two years if Michigan doesn’t come back to win that game.
Looking back on the PSU game, I am reminded by something Al Fracassa told our group at a QB camp when I was 15, “One game, hell, one play, cannot only change an entire season, but an entire program.” To me, the All TD against PSU was the Stu Douglass 3 against Sparty in 2011.
December 8th, 2023 at 8:54 PM ^
I’m in agreement with this one and have rewatched it several times. That game really made me believe something might be different but I still was cautiously optimistic until The Game. It was less than 24 hours after my vasectomy but the Erick All TD run had me jump out of the recliner causing some very serious pain. I will never forget that but it was all worth it…so far.
December 8th, 2023 at 6:16 PM ^
1. Penn State 2023
2. Nebraska 2021
3. Michigan State 2023
December 8th, 2023 at 6:26 PM ^
Nebraska '21, nice.
Agreed on MSU '23 as well. Set the tone- "well we don't have your signs anymore, so bring it or make like a tree and get outta here"
December 8th, 2023 at 6:31 PM ^
Don’t you mean leaf me alone and go tree on yourself?
December 8th, 2023 at 7:58 PM ^
…get the puck outta here!
MSU was a nice beat down.
December 8th, 2023 at 6:56 PM ^
Love the list, that Nebraska game was epic. I personally loved the 2021 Maryland game as well. Michigan dominated, Edwards had a breakout receiving game.
December 8th, 2023 at 9:04 PM ^
MD 21 was fun. Everyone talks about the struggles we have before OSU week, but not that year.
December 8th, 2023 at 7:30 PM ^
Nebraska 2021 would have made my list for sure, and so would have Penn State in 2023. Not sure about the 3rd.
December 8th, 2023 at 8:28 PM ^
Nebraska 2021 had an exciting finish, but it doesn't go in the top three for me because of the officials being a bunch of dumbasses. The Huskers got their first touchdown because of a blatant illegal formation and then got another TD only because Cade's interception came with a Nebraska player lined up in the neutral zone. That's an obvious flag that should have been thrown with Michigan keeping possession. Instead, Nebraska has the ball and throws an immediate touchdown.
Yes, we won in spite of the refs, but this was a game that should have never come down to the stressful ending we got.
December 8th, 2023 at 6:17 PM ^
Also, I just watched the MSU game from this year on B1G Football in 60.
I think that might be the closest to '16 @ Rutgers that we've had. That was complete and utter domination in a non-UConn or Hawaii type game.
December 8th, 2023 at 7:36 PM ^
Agreed. I think I like that MSU game so much because that’s literally how I feel we should beat them every year. Harbaugh has somewhat susceptible to the MSU bullshit and those games have always been closer than they need to be.
December 8th, 2023 at 6:17 PM ^
‘23 v PSU
’22 v Illinois
’21 B1GFBCG
December 8th, 2023 at 6:18 PM ^
Eeewwww Illinois. I hated everything about that game. Especially that the stadium was like half full for the game winning kick.
December 8th, 2023 at 6:56 PM ^
I hated the Corum injury obviously, but the game was played with as much tension as you can imagine, and being there with the cold wind in my face, it was a spiritually perfect experience.
December 8th, 2023 at 8:38 PM ^
AND they had our signs.
December 8th, 2023 at 6:20 PM ^
If I CANT pick OSU games (of which 2022 was the most fun, 2021 the most meaningful, but 2023 was the best)…
#1 2021 @ Nebraska
This truly felt like a turning point in the Harbaugh era. Cade said it after the game and it was accurate, “Past Michigan teams don’t win this game.” Also had the greatest Haskins hurdle.
#2 2023 @ Penn State
Was the definition of an eff-you game and a top 10 road win.
#3 2021 vs. Iowa (B1G CG)
That Iowa team was still terrible offensively, and it was an ugly game, but the two long plays saved it and got UM it’s first chip in 17 years.
December 8th, 2023 at 6:21 PM ^
The last 3 championship games then :)
@ Wisconsin 2021
@ Penn State 2023 2021
Saying an msu game would make them relevant
December 8th, 2023 at 7:21 PM ^
2021 Wisconsin definitely. Watching them Jump Around was amazing. And the defense just feasted on Mertz.
December 8th, 2023 at 7:40 PM ^
Enjoy it again.
December 8th, 2023 at 8:31 PM ^
Dax had that massive sack in that one where he was shot out of a cannon.
December 8th, 2023 at 9:42 PM ^
massive sack, shot out of a cannon
December 8th, 2023 at 8:32 PM ^
Double post
December 8th, 2023 at 6:21 PM ^
In no particular order:
2021 Wisconsin. They didn't turn out to be all that good, but this feels like the game the direction of the program truly flipped. It was a good game, too.
2022 Penn State. Complete domination on the ground against a Top 10 team, set against the backdrop of a Maize Out and a beautiful fall day in Ann Arbor.
2023 Penn State. Mostly because of the off-the-field context.
HM: 2021 Iowa. If it was a better game or if Iowa was less offensively inept, this might edge out one of the others, but the game itself felt like a post-accession coronation.
It feels strange to not have any MSU games on the list, but MSU was too pathetic in 2022 and 2023 for either game to stand out.
December 8th, 2023 at 6:37 PM ^
That 2022 PSU game is the top of the list for me. Dominated them the first half without the score reflecting it, then just blew them out in the second half. At the game it felt tense because we had let them hang around, then we just buried them.
December 8th, 2023 at 8:42 PM ^
I loved that game. We had just moved into our new home and the first thing I unloaded off the truck was the tv and cable box. Got it set up on the floor just in time for kickoff.
December 8th, 2023 at 6:23 PM ^
I'm not sure we consider them MI men anymore, but man, that 2021 Penn St game, and more specifically McNamara to All saving the day, was an effin linchpin.
December 8th, 2023 at 7:02 PM ^
This would my number one. I think the narrative that ‘Harbaugh can’t win big games on the road’ died that day. Also, we haven’t had many of these come from behind wins lately - haven’t had to.
December 9th, 2023 at 6:32 AM ^
Exactly what I was thinking. In past years we were dead after the strip sack and they had the lead with less than 10 minutes to go in the 4th quarter. We came back and had the All catch and run TD, then shut them down on the next possession. If we didn’t pull this out we would have lost to OSU and there would not be back to back to back shirts being sold now
December 8th, 2023 at 6:23 PM ^
21 Penn St
22 Illinois
23 MSU
December 9th, 2023 at 11:02 AM ^
December 8th, 2023 at 6:26 PM ^
Great thread and good thing to keep our anxious fan minds occupied!
In no specific order….
- 2021 Wisconsin, because we realized we might actually be good and Washington game no fluke, also lifting the Camp Randall curse, saw the team do the jump around and it just felt….different
(also came a week after down performance against Rutgers which had many stepping the edge of the BPONE)
- 2021 Nebraska - beat the best 3 win team ever. When I truly realized the team had the ability to overcome adversity and Michigan Football seemed truly galvanized for the first time since maybe 2006
- 2022 Penn State - because, c’mon…400+ yards rushing against a top 10 team and defense. Also when I realized there was a great chance we were beating OSU and winning the BiG10 again.
honorable mentions:
- 2021 Penn State, massive play from a couple future portals guys that kept our playoff hopes alive
- 2021 BiG10 champ game….just pure bliss to see us hoist the trophy, exorcised some Ferentz demons
- 2022 Illinois - when I realized we could win even on our worst day, even with a walk on RB against a great defense. And money moody. Also, Harbaugh was exceptionally proud of that win. Kept the undefeated season and playoff hope alive.
2023 Penn State - just do what it takes to win baby
2021 Washington - Beautiful Maize out! Thunder and Lightning debut!
December 8th, 2023 at 7:25 PM ^
I think 2021 Washington definitely belongs on the list. Going into the game Seth and Brian were talking about how difficult it was going to be to pass against that secondary. In the end, the offense just ran down their throats.
The Maize out was fantastic to see on TV as well.
December 8th, 2023 at 6:26 PM ^
FUCK OIHO #3 , FUCK OIHO #1 , FUCK OIHO #2
December 8th, 2023 at 6:33 PM ^
2021 Penn State, 2021 B1GCG are easy for me
Third is a tough call between 2021 Wisconsin,for how the team answered the call in a tough environment, made that environment their own and then won the game, or 2022 Penn State for demolition purposes.
The correct answer should be 2021 MSU, but Big Ten officials not knowing what a fumble is took that from us.
December 8th, 2023 at 7:41 PM ^
You had to go there.
Mel Tucker would agree with you though. That’s the game that gave him the winning Powerball ticket.
December 8th, 2023 at 6:33 PM ^
21 Wisconsin. Making Jump Around ours was a great statement of team confidence and intent. It also was the year after my son graduated from Wiscy (although he remains a huge Michigan fan).
21 B1G Championship. It seemed like an unambiguous inflection point for the program.
23 Penn State. The thing speaks for itself.
December 8th, 2023 at 6:38 PM ^
For me...
1. '21 Iowa (B1G Championship Game)
2. '21 Nebraska
3. '23 MSU
-------------
...and I'll expand even further, because why not?
4. '21 Penn St.
5. '21 Washington
6. '22 Iowa
7. '22 Hawaii
8. '23 Nebraska
9. ' 21 Wisconsin
10. '22 Purdue (B1G Championship Game)
Obviously my list is for me, personally. I don't claim '22 Hawaii to be a top football game from this era. But for me, that was JJ's first start and he was ON FIRE from the first snap. So much fun. That's when we all knew, this QB competition is officially over. This is JJ's team.
'22 Penn St. was a kind of a "meh" first half before we poured it on...and I was a defeated man for '23...I didn't like that actual game, the result mattered *FAR* more. I'd rather watch the postgame than the actual game. Neither cracks my Top 10.
Now maybe next week we do Top 3 Most Important Games? (outside of OSU and the next two) ...if that's the case, '23 PSU shoots to #1 or #2 along with the B1GCGs.
Other games that I considered: '22 UConn, '22 Penn St., '23 Minnesota, '23 Purdue, '23 Penn St.
December 8th, 2023 at 6:41 PM ^
- MSU, 2021 Season
- TCU, 2022 Season
- Georgia, 2021 Season
Spank me, daddy!
December 8th, 2023 at 6:48 PM ^
I down voted you. But I actually enjoyed the TCU game, to some extent. They almost did enough to win it. I believe that if they hadn't overturned the Roman Wilson touchdown, it would have gone the other way.
December 8th, 2023 at 8:03 PM ^
Bitch
December 8th, 2023 at 6:45 PM ^
Wisconsin 21 - This was the first time I recall the 2021 team getting more hype for the main home tradition of their opponent as the away team. The players were jumping around in the third quarter for the jump around and it felt like the energy and swagger of this group lead by Aidan and Hassan was different.
Penn State 23 - This game was deeply cathartic for all the sign stealing shenanigans going on at the time. A loss would have been gutting in justifying the narrative. It felt so good to win with 32 straight second half rushes.
Nebraska 21 - I was at this game and it's the loudest I have ever heard a sports stadium. This also felt like a type of game we had lost in years past. However, the team came together and gutted out a tight win when we were only narrowly favored by 2.5 points on the road.
December 8th, 2023 at 6:46 PM ^
Every game that Sherrone Moore served as acting head coach. Dude in his mid thirties took down some of the highest paid coaches in college football. Maybe not the most impressive games statistically or aesthetically. But he did the damn thing and won the damn games. Pay that man!
Edit:I fixed the damn spelling
December 8th, 2023 at 9:28 PM ^
Love your enthusiasm for him, but let’s spell his name right. He’s earned it. Sherrone.
December 9th, 2023 at 1:51 AM ^
Thanks for the correction. Sherrone.
December 8th, 2023 at 6:54 PM ^
21 Iowa. big ten championships!!!! I Have a friend that's a diehard OSU fan, he use to buy Big Ten championship tickets every year. After Michigan won , he sold me his tickets. Sending a picture of me in *his* seats was a glorious feeling!!!
23 Penn state
21 Wisconsin. finally winning @ Wisconsin
December 8th, 2023 at 6:56 PM ^
In a similar vein, '22 Iowa at Kinnick. '21 Nebraska felt great too
December 8th, 2023 at 6:54 PM ^
Honestly it's prolly the PSU games from each season. No other games were as anticipated in regular season play for the last two years. And the cade to all play is one of my all time favorites from 2021 and what I thought would be the highlight of the season... Until...
December 8th, 2023 at 6:56 PM ^
Penn St 2021 was the rebirth of hope and it’s hard to top, but the 2021 B1G Championship Game is probably #1 because it was the culmination of at least 6 years of expectation.
1. 2021 BIG Championship vs Iowa
2. 2021 @ Penn St
3. 2022 vs MSU cause fuck em.