Michigan involved in three of college football's top 100 games in 2021
Michigan Wolverines football enjoyed an exciting season in 2021, when it won the Big Ten for the first time since 2004 and advanced to its first-ever College Football Playoff.
The Wolverines worked some magic to accomplish what it did, too, with several games coming down to the wire. The players insisted the 2021 version of the Maize and Blue was different, though, a reason why they were able to come out on top in every game but two.
ESPN.com released its rankings of the top 100 college football games of the season, and given the nature of Michigan’s season, the Wolverines were involved in three of the best contests.
The win over Penn State Nov. 13 checked in at No. 53.
“PSU set a fun tone with an early fake punt attempt (successful) and fake field goal (not), then scored twice in two minutes to take a late 17-14 lead,” ESPN.com’s Bill Connelly wrote. “But Michigan stunned the Nittany Lions and kept their CFP hopes alive when [tight end] Erick All turned a short catch into a 47-yard touchdown with 3:29 left.”
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All’s touchdown was one of the signature plays of the entire season. Without that, Michigan would’ve only had a slight chance of winning the Big Ten East heading into the final weekend against Ohio State. Instead, the Wolverines controlled their own destiny … and the rest was history.
Michigan’s 32-29 victory at Nebraska Oct. 9 was ranked No. 41.
“Nebraska led the eventual Big Ten champs with less than four minutes to go, but Michigan tied the game with a field goal, and [Husker quarterback Adrian] Martinez suffered a terrible fumble three plays later. Michigan milked the clock, nailed a 39-yard FG for the lead and fended off another last-ditch comeback drive.”
The game against the Huskers marked the first time Michigan had trailed in a game all season, but it responded beautifully to the first dose of adversity. It was actually one of seven Oct. 9 games to crack the top 50, with the Wolverines being the nightcap of a great day across the sport.
Top 10
- 1
The Fighting Irish
Notre Dame beats Penn State to advance to CFP National Championship
- 2
Notre Dame odds
Irish natty line released vs. OSU and Texas
- 3Hot
Carson Beck
QB entering portal
- 4
Lee Corso
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- 5
Ohio State fans mistake
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The Wolverines’ lone regular-season loss of the campaign also made the cut at No. 17. Michigan fell at Michigan State Oct. 30, blowing a 16-point second-half lead.
“Michigan opened the scoring with a 93-yard Andrel Anthony Jr. touchdown and held a 30-14 lead late in the third quarter. While it’s always too simple to say that one guy single-handedly brought a team back, Kenneth Walker III came close. He scored fourth-quarter touchdowns of 58 and 23 yards — two of his five for the day — and State took a 37-33 lead with five minutes left. Michigan got two chances to take the lead back, but failed on fourth down once and threw a late pick.”
To the surprise of many Michigan fans, the Wolverines’ 42-27 win over Ohio State to conclude the regular season did not appear in the top 100. Connelly received flack from the Maize and Blue faithful on Twitter, but his explanation made the fans feel even better about the beatdown.
“To the Michigan fans complaining that Michigan-Ohio State wasn’t in the top 100: It’s your own team’s fault for not letting the Buckeyes hang closer,” Connelly wrote. “Was obviously a candidate because it was so impactful, but the top 100 games generally have drama.”
