A quick history of Michigan football’s performance against the new Big Ten opponents
The Big Ten Conference will add four new members in the 2024-2025 academic year: UCLA, USC, Washington, and Oregon. Historically, the Michigan Wolverines have faced these teams in several major games, including a National Championship Game and 13 Rose Bowls. Let’s look at some of the history behind these programs.
Michigan Wolverines vs. Washington Huskies
Michigan has played more games against Washington than any other new Big Ten team. Their first meeting was in 1953, but the clubs also played four Rose Bowl games over the years, including the 2024 National Championship.
The first notable matchup between the two was the 1978 Rose Bowl, in which Bo Schembechler’s Wolverines lost 27-20 to the Huskies. They would get a chance for vengeance in 1981, when they played in the Granddaddy of Them All again after both teams finished 9-2 in the regular season. Schembechler has become the target of jokes after going 0-7 in bowl games in his career, including five Rose Bowl losses.
Butch Woolfolk and Anthony Carter were poised to alter the story with a renowned defense on the other end. Michigan outscored Washington 304-105 in the second half on their route to a commanding 23-6 victory. Carter finished with 101 total yards and a touchdown, but Woolfolk was the Rose Bowl MVP, carrying 26 times for 182 yards and scoring once. Schembechler was carried off the field in Pasadena after winning his first Rose Bowl as head coach of Michigan.
In the 1990s, the famous Don James led the No. 2 Washington Huskies to a perfect 1991 season and a trip to Pasadena to face the No. 4 Michigan Wolverines. Washington was favored by a score but won 34-14 after outscoring Michigan 21-7 in the second half. Following the win, the Coaches Poll named the Huskies national champions, splitting the title with the Miami Hurricanes.
After Michigan’s 8-0-3 season, the two teams met again in the Rose Bowl the following season. The game included six lead changes and is regarded as one of the finest in Rose Bowl history.
Tyrone Wheatley, Michigan’s running back, had the game of his life, rushing 15 times for 235 yards and three scores. He opened the third quarter with an 88-yard touchdown run, and if not for back spasms, he would have easily broken the Rose Bowl rushing yardage record (247). The Wolverines still won, 38-31.
Then came the series’ 2020 era. Michigan defeated Washington at Ann Arbor in 2021 on its route to the first of three consecutive College Football Playoff appearances. Michael Penix Jr. would transfer to Washington, propelling the Huskies to the No. 2 position in the country in 2023, where they would face the No. 1 Wolverines for the National Championship. Blake Corum, and Donovan Edwards
