Wow I picked a bad weekend to move. All day Saturday I was stuck moving into our new apartment in Chicago and barely caught glimpses of the historic 27-25 win over Wisconsin.
Luckily, the guys that are living below us are all Michigan alums and were constantly updating us and we were able to watch the last few minutes of the game.
But since I didn't watch the game in its entirety and can't really do analysis I decided to rank my top five Michigan comebacks of recent memory and there are some dandies on this list.
It was hard to omit certain games, neither the 2002 or the 2005 Penn State games made the list, but I think I've put together a list the most would agree with.
But if you don't agree, feel free to comment at the bottom.
On with the list...
5. October 18, 1997 #5 Michigan 28, #15 Iowa 24
This one is often overlooked by other great victories Michigan had that year, but to me this one always stuck out the most.
Sure the win over Ohio State, Penn State, and Washington State were all great and I hold those games dear to me as important moments in my life, but this one had it all.
Michigan was down 21-7 at halftime and had no answer for Iowa kick returner Tim Dwight. I had to look up his stats, but I remember him having a lot of long returns that day. He had four returns of more than 50 yards each and a 61-yard return for a touchdown just before the half.
Brian Griese knotted the score at 21 on a quarterback sneak just before the end of the third quarter but another long return by Dwight put Iowa in good field goal range.
The Hawkeyes went back up 24-21. However, Mr. Griese put together a nice drive hitting Jerame Tuman a couple times and Anthony Thomas getting some nice carries to drive Michigan down inside the 10-yard line.
Griese hit Tuman for the game winning touchdown with three minutes remaining and Sam Sword sealed the victory with an interception with 31 seconds to go.
Michigan was 5-0 going into this game and surviving this scare probably gave them the confidence they needed to go the rest of the way.
4. January 1, 2000 Orange Bowl #8 Michigan 35, #4 Alabama 34
What a thrilling game this was. Michigan had to erase 14-point deficits twice in order win its first ever overtime game.
Tom Brady had to put it all his shoulders seeing how Michigan had a non-existent rushing game that day (23 carries for 27 yards). Brady did that and more by giving the nation a little preview of what was to come.
Brady finished the game 34-for-46, 369 yards and four touchdowns.
Michigan held Alabama on its first possession of the second half and marched 59 yards to even the score at 14. The Crimson Tide came back with back-to-back touchdowns from Shaun Alexander and Freddie Milons.
Alexander was a beast that day finishing with 161 yards and three touchdowns.
Michigan closed the gap when Brady and David Terrell connected on a 20-yard TD pass in the third quarter. Michigan tied the game 28-28 as Anthony Thomas scored on a three-yard run.
The Wolverines dominated the fourth, but a fumble heading into the endzone for the go-ahead score and a blocked 36-yard field goal attempt on the final play of regulation, sent the game into overtime.
4 comments Last one added 9 months ago — Leave a Comment
Cody Thomas 9 months ago
minnesota was ranked in 2004 when they started 4-0 they were #21.
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Chris Copeland 9 months ago
Having watched all of those games, I would put the MSU game #1, Minnesota #2, and Wiscy #3. All five were amazing games. Watching Braylon take the team on his back is something I'll never forget and probably my favorite sports watching moment.
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Dean Walker 9 months ago
I've got to say the '05 Penn State game is in my top five. I remember that night like it was yesterday. I was actually late to work because it was such a good game nearing the end of the 4th that I didn't care. Neither did my boss who txt'ed me from his office saying "dude, are you watching this?!" And I'm sooo sorry you couldn't see that game saturday. My wife was afraid to talk to me at the start of halftime. I went into the den and closed the door, cranked up some metal, and started playing my guitar and screaming along with the lyrics to let out my frustration. 5 minutes had expired in the third quarter by the time I returned to the living room and at that point I wanted nothing to do with football. I went to the fridge and got out some Captain Morgan and started doing shots. I don't know if it was the alcohol or not but I couldn't move at the end of the game. I just sat there and stared at the TV, entranced by the comeback that I had just witness. Incredible.
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Kevin Paul 9 months ago
Thanks for not including any Penn State ones on here, though then again, I think most of those recent losses weren't exactly comebacks... anyway, some interesting picks, it was good to look back and see if I could remember any of them as a fan of the game.
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