Michigan Football: The 25 Best Bowl Games in School History

Michigan has played in 40 bowl games all time, with 19 of those 40 resulting in victory.  There have been countless unforgettable moments throughout their bowl history, but there has been many heartbreaks as well.

While compiling the list of Michigan's 25 best bowl games, a few losses unfortunately have to be included.

The list is a combination of the excitement and meaningfulness of the particular bowl game.

25. Alamo Bowl (Dec. 28, 1995) Texas A&M (L, 22-20)

Texas A&M led 22-13 with only 22 seconds left when Brian Griese hooked up with Amani Toomer to cut the lead to 22-20. However, there were only five seconds left at that point, and the Aggies hung on and won.

Michigan came into the game ranked 14th in the country, while Texas A&M entered at No. 19.

24. Rose Bowl (Jan. 1, 1987) Arizona State (L, 22-15)

Both Michigan and Arizona State entered this game as the champions of their respective conferences, but Arizona State prevailed 22-15.  This was the Sun Devils' first ever appearance in the Rose Bowl.

Michigan entered the game with only one loss, to Minnesota, and was ranked fourth in the country.  Arizona State also entered the game with only one loss and was ranked seventh in the country.

23. Sugar Bowl (Jan. 2, 1984) Auburn (L, 9-7)

Auburn entered this game ranked third in the country, while Michigan entered at No. 8.  Michigan led 7-0 at halftime, but three Auburn field goals led the Tigers to a 9-7 victory.

Auburn had hopes of being voted national champions after this win, but the voters instead gave it to Miami.

22. Rose Bowl (Jan. 1, 1977) USC (L, 14-6)

Both Michigan and USC entered this game as champions of their respective conferences. Michigan entered ranked No. 2 in the country, while USC was No. 3.

In fact, Michigan spent much of the year ranked No. 1, but was upset by Purdue in early November.  USC, on the other hand, lost their opener, but went on to win the rest of their games.

There were just over 106,000 people in attendance for this game.

21. Rose Bowl (Jan. 1, 1990) USC (L, 17-10)

This game is emotional for many Michigan fans, as it is Bo Schembechler's final game as head coach.

These two teams had also met the previous year in the 1989 Rose Bowl.

This game was defensive and low scoring, just as many people thought it would be. USC led 10-3 at halftime.

USC went on to win 17-10, and Bo Schembechler famously declined to do any postgame interviews after the game.

20. Rose Bowl (Jan. 1, 2005) Texas (L, 38-37)

The only reason this game isn't higher on the list is because it resulted in a loss.

Texas entered this game with only one loss and ranked sixth in the country. Michigan entered as co-champions of the Big Ten.

This was the first time that these two storied programs had ever faced each other. It was also the first time that the Rose Bowl was televised in HD.

There was a lot of controversy entering this game, as many people thought that Jeff Tedford's California team should be playing in this game, and not Texas.

Regardless, it was a great game, as the two teams were tied at 14 entering halftime. The second half was much more eventful, as Texas hit a 37-yard field goal as time expired to give the Longhorns the win.

19. Hall of Fame Bowl (Jan. 1, 1994) NC State (W, 42-7)

Michigan entered this game with four losses and was ranked 23rd in the country.  NC State also entered with four losses, but was unranked.

Michigan led 21-0 at halftime and went on to dominate this one, winning 42-7.

18. Gator Bowl (Jan. 1, 1991) Ole Miss (W, 35-3)

Michigan came into this game with three losses, but was ranked 12th in the country.  Ole Miss was just behind them, at No. 15.

Even though they had three losses, Michigan was co-champions of the Big Ten. The Wolverines dominated this game, scoring 21 points in the third quarter to eventually win 35-3.

17. Holiday Bowl (Dec. 30, 1994) Colorado State (W, 24-14)

Colorado State came into this game with only one loss and was ranked in the Top 10 nationally.  Michigan, meanwhile, had four losses, but was still ranked No. 20.

Michigan led 24-7 entering the fourth quarter and went on to win 24-14.

16. Rose Bowl (Jan. 1, 1965) Oregon State (W, 34-7)

This game marked the first time that Michigan had been to the Rose Bowl since 1951.  In fact, this was only Michigan's fourth ever bowl game.

There was a lot of controversy on whether or not Oregon State or USC should be the ones to face Michigan in this game. It was voted on, and Oregon State got the nod.

Michigan was an 11-point favorite in this one, but only led 12-7 at halftime.  They ran away with it in the second half, though, and won 34-7.

Oregon State hasn't returned to the Rose Bowl since.

15. Hall of Fame Bowl (Jan. 2, 1988) Alabama (W, 28-24)

Both teams entered this game with disappointing 7-4 records.  In fact, Michigan wasn't even ranked coming in.

Bo Schembechler had actually recently had heart surgery and was unable to coach this game.  Gary Moeller filled in for him.

Michigan went on to win 28-24, and Jamie Morris won MVP of the game.

14. Outback Bowl (Jan. 1, 2003) Florida (W, 38-30)

Michigan led this game 35-23 in the fourth quarter, but Florida scored to cut the lead to 35-30.  Michigan kicked a field goal and ended up winning 38-30.

Eventual Illinois coach Ron Zook was head coach for the Gators in this game.

Chris Perry was named game MVP.

13. Bluebonnet Bowl (Dec. 31, 1981) UCLA (W, 33-14)

This game was labeled "The Mini Rose Bowl" because both of these teams, at one point during the season, looked like they would meet in the Rose Bowl.

Instead, Iowa and Washington faced each other.

Both Michigan and UCLA entered this game with three losses, but Michigan went on to win 33-14.

12. Citrus Bowl (Jan. 1, 1999) Arkansas (W, 45-31)

Arkansas actually entered this game ranked higher than Michigan, as the Razorbacks were No. 11 nationally.  This Arkansas team did much better than what was expected of them, especially seeing as how Houston Nutt was only in his first year.

This game was much closer than the final score indicates. In fact, Michigan trailed 31-24 with only six minutes left.

However, a late Tom Brady touchdown pass, along with an interception return, gave Michigan a 45-31 win.

11. Citrus Bowl (Jan. 1, 2001) Auburn (W, 31-28)

Auburn came into this game as SEC West champions, while Michigan was a co-champion of the Big Ten.

This game was tight all the way through, as Michigan led 21-14 at halftime and held on to win 31-28.

Anthony Thomas was named game MVP.

10. Rose Bowl (Jan. 1, 1981) Washington (W, 23-6)

Both Michigan and Washington entered this game as champions of their respective conferences.  Michigan came in as the No. 5 team in the country and held a 9-2 record.

Michigan won the game 23-6, and Butch Woolfolk won MVP.

This game marked the first time that Bo Schembechler had won a bowl game as Michigan's coach.

9. Rose Bowl (Jan. 1, 1951) California (W, 14-6)

This was Michigan's third ever bowl game.  California entered this game ranked fifth in the country, and were champions of the Pacific Coast Conference.

Michigan's fullback, Don Dufek, won the MVP award for this game.

8. Rose Bowl (Jan 2, 1989) USC (W, 22-14)

Michigan opened the season with two consecutive losses, but then went unbeaten down the stretch. One of those losses was to Notre Dame, who gave USC their only loss of the regular season.

The Trojans came into this game 10-1 and were ranked fifth nationally.

However, Michigan beat them in what was the first ever Rose Bowl televised by ABC.

7. Fiesta Bowl (Jan. 1, 1986) Nebraska (W, 27-23)

Nebraska actually held a 14-3 lead at halftime in this game.  However, Michigan outscored Nebraska 24-0 in the third quarter and went on to win 27-23.

Then head coach Tom Osborne made a controversial decision during the game when he decided to play freshman quarterback Steve Taylor.

Michigan finished the year at 9-1-1, which included a No. 5 ranking nationally.

6. Rose Bowl (Jan. 1, 1948) USC (W, 49-0)

This was actually only Michigan's second bowl game ever.

This 1947 Michigan team was known as the "Mad Magicians." They had a very good offense and a great defense that shut out four teams that season.

This was Fritz Crisler's last year at Michigan. His team finished the year 9-0 and was voted national champions.

5. Orange Bowl (Jan. 1, 2000) Alabama (W, 35-34)

This game marked the first time ever that a BCS game had gone into overtime.

It is remembered as one of the most exciting BCS games ever, as it literally came down to an extra point.  Tom Brady had a career day, as did David Terrell, en route to being named game MVP.

4. Rose Bowl (Jan. 1, 1993) Washington (W, 38-31)

To this day, this game is still remembered as one of the best Rose Bowls ever.  Both Michigan and Washington came into this game as champions of their respective conferences, and both held a Top 10 ranking.

Michigan actually didn't lose a game that year, but finished with three ties.

Tyrone Wheatley was named MVP, as he rushed for 235 yards on only 15 carries.

3. Rose Bowl (Jan. 1, 1902) Stanford (W, 49-0)

This game was the first ever Rose Bowl. Michigan entered with a 10-0 record, while Stanford had only played six games, holding a 3-1-2 record.

This was Fielding H. Yost's first year as head coach. In fact, he had actually coached Stanford the year before.

Even though this game wasn't close, it is still special because of the tradition and history that followed.

2. Capital One Bowl (Jan. 1, 2008) Florida (W, 41-35)

Michigan was heavy underdogs in this one, but ended up shocking the Florida Gators.  Florida entered ranked No. 9 in the country, and had Heisman winner Tim Tebow at quarterback.

The game was exciting from start to finish, but that's not why it is memorable.

This was Lloyd Carr's last game as Michigan's coach, and the scene of his players carrying him off the field will be remembered by fans forever.

1. Rose Bowl (Jan. 1, 1998) Washington State (W, 21-16)

This is an obvious choice for No. 1 on the list. Michigan came into the game undefeated, and stayed that way.

They were led by Heisman trophy winner Charles Woodson, who was the key piece to a dominant defense.

They kept Ryan Leaf and a high powered Washington State offense in check.

It is Michigan's most recent national championship to date.