Which Michigan RB had the better performance against OSU?
Your contenders (and you must choose one):
Tshimanga Biakabutuka (1995) vs. #2 OSU
- 313 yards on 37 carries, 1 TD
- Michigan wins 31-23
or
Hassan Haskins (2021) vs. #2 OSU
- 169 yards on 28 carries, 5 TDs
- Michigan wins 42-27
We're all going to have to overcome generational bias and recency bias here.
Aaaaaaaaand . . . go.
They're both winners!
Ik he didn’t have the yards or the TDs just 31 Carrie’s for 135 and 2 tds but Chris perry in the 03 game was phenomenal against a great Ohio state defense
Haskins.
The numbers favor Biakabatuka. But Michigan was 9-5-1 in the rivalry in the previous 15 games before that one. It was a true rivalry then. Both teams won, and Michigan had the advantage (they would win that game and 2 more after).
Meanwhile, before Haskins scored his 5 touchdowns, Michigan was 1-14 in the last 15 games. And the one was when Ohio State had an interim coach. Michigan had won 3 games this century. One of the top 5 highlights to me prior to the 2021 season of Michigan football was when they cancelled the Ohio State game. I never thought they would win another game (and I'm totally not joking about that. I have a 10 year old nephew and I never thought he would see Michigan beat Ohio State in football).
To me, it's one of the biggest upsets in sports history. And while that may be hyperbole, in my personal sports mind it's as big an upset as the 1980 US hockey team beating the Russians.
So give me Haskins.
So your argument is that Haskins win was more important, not that Haskins had the better performance
Next year's 314 and 6
5 TDs is awesome and I loved every single one, but you can get a TD from the one yard line. 313 is 313.
The best is that both were Michigan wins.
TB and it's not close. My buckeye uncle came up for the game and the night before mocked UM for how bad Eddie George was going to run over us, and we sat together at the game and the verbal abuse he took was epic. So awesome.
I vote Haskins, mostly due to recency bias and the extreme low expectations of Michigan fans (as well as 99.99% of the CFB community) to have a decent season at all.
Yes
I remember watching the weather channel the next day in 95. They said something along the lines of, "there's a front moving through Ohio like that Michigan running back did yesterday."
Back in the day when the weather channel did…
…weather.
They're both special in their own way.
Both teams played hard.
Lol
timmy not even close
Timmy B played like a man possessed in that game. It was a thing of everlasting beauty. Haskins' performance was amazing, but any time you break the 300-yard mark against an undefeated, top 3 Ohio State team, you've achieved immortality.
Having said that, this is like comparing a Ferrari and a Lamborghini.
I was actually at both games. Just realized that. Crazy stuff.
Gotta go with HH because:
2021 was for all the marbles. 1st ever trip to B1G CG. 10 yrs of misery. I'll give him 4 TD's 165yds because they let him walk in on the last. 6 YPC. Was just plowing over dudes all game.
Well I can't decide. seeing as I have both of these games saved on usb I think I will have to rewatch both tonight and get back with you
Not to take away anything from Haskins, but Biakabutuka had a much better game.
biakabutuka's performance was, possibly, the greatest running performance i've ever seen. anywhere, by anyone, against anyone. so i guess i'll go with that one.
I like where your head’s at but it’s obviously TB.
I don't really like the TD stat all that much. 4 of his TDs were less than 5 yards out. He had an epic game nonetheless but Tshiamanga had the better game and I don't think it's all that close.
Come on. Hassan had a great game which I was fortunate to see in person.
But that Biakabutuka 315 takes it by a mile.
Timmy B hands down
What Biakabutuka did that day was a wonder of God. I still feel riveted by it.
Tim B. Buckeye fans all know that as the Tim B game whereas I’m referring to last years game as the Hutchinson game. Haskins was a dog last year though. The LBs seemed like they just didn’t want to touch him by the fourth quarter.
Tim B.
I loved em both but 313 was something extra special.
Timmy B
Leroy Hoard - 11/25/89 v. OSU 14 for 92 - 6.6 ypc, 1 TD. 16 long.
But it was the most beautiful shove it down their throat football in Bo's last home game.
Whoops - that was his first half.
Finished at 21/152 (7.2) 1TD long of 40. But that final drive was masterful.
How many fools did Biakabutuka hurdle in '95? If it's zero, then there's your answer. Incontrovertible proof.
Sidenote, I always loved drafting both Biakabutuka and Lawrence Phillips of Nebraska (uh, before some later tragic things occurred with Phillips) in Madden back in those days.
Jim Harbaugh believes that this comparison only diminishes one of the parties involved.
TD Tim was better. Though Haskin did a terrific job!
I was at both games, but I would have to say Biakabatuka, only because his performance was unexpected. He kept breaking off big run after big run. Haskins had a better reputation (IMO) and was expected to do well. Haskins had an awesome game too. He did very well.
I was there for both as well.
The suddenness of TBs runs were unreal. Every other run was for 20-30 yards.
Sorta like watching Denard. You could not turn away or you might miss something
Both awesome but TB and it's not very close. The best argument for HH could be made by probably pointing out how well the OL played in both games but especially that 95 game. Biakabatuka did his share of tackle breakin' but some of those holes he had to run through could have fit a semi-truck. Haskins had to do a bit more work at the LoS but not much more as his OL also gave him plenty of space to operate. Still, that's probably the only argument one could make as memory of watching the game live or clips will show just how dominant TB and that OL was on that day.
Still, both were awesome and will go down as some of the best performances by any UM player in The Game.
I have never seen a back run as angry, and carry as many tacklers, as Biakabatuka vs OSU. Coaches had been telling him it was a privilege for him to be on the field with the future Heisman Trophy winner, Ed George, and he played the best game I have ever seen from a running back.
Haskins performance was great, and I think he will have a nice pro career, but pre-knee surgery Touchdown Tim might have had the best feet I have ever seen. Hard to imagine we had Wheatley and TB in the same backfield!
The numbers would suggest Timmy B, but I’ll go with Haskins due to externalities.
Timmy did it when we were dominating OSU and destroying their potential national title seasons had become a UM tradition.
Haskins did it on a glorious, magical day in Ann Arbor, snow falling, an incredibly hyped match up (with all experts and fans expecting OSU domination) -specifically after hanging 50 on Sparty in one half the week before, and 20 years of osu dominance over us.
The game setting and atmosphere were absolutely magical this year, and it was desperately needed for the program.
The 2021 game was more significant for the team, the program, and the rivalry.
But '95 and Timmy B. was a transcendent performance. Incredible.
Biakakentucky.
A. OSU was a much better defense in 1995. Last fall's version was trash.
B. It was my first OSU game as a Michigan student, so that will always win.
Tom Harmon would like a word.
1940 - 3 rushing touchdowns passed for 2 more, kicked 4 extra points, intercepted 3 passes, and punted 3 times for 50 yard average.
Michigan 40 Ohio State 0
Tim B had the better performance but Haskins' was the one we needed in recent memory