Michigan Football

Why am I such a big Michigan fan?

It started in the early 90’s when Michigan and Notre Dame played some great games as rivals. I always watched those games, mostly for love of football. In 1990, Notre Dame came from behind to win 28-21 with 1:40 left in the game to cap a 4th quarter rally. In 1991, Elvis Grbac and Rick Mirer went at it again, this time resulting in a 24-14 Michigan win.

I decided that I needed to align myself with one of these teams, and Michigan became my team. I love their steep tradition, powerful history, and maize and blue uniforms. Not that Notre Dame is missing any of these qualities- ok they don’t have the maize and blue!

Does it help that I married into a HUGE Notre Dame family?! Are you kidding? It makes these games even better.

Sort of as a gag, I place my name on the season ticket list each year. In 2000, I happened to note the date that tickets went on sale to the general public. I called the ticket office that day, and after about 20 minutes, someone answered!

“How many tickets do I want? How about 107, 501!”
(that’s the seating capacity at Michigan Stadium)

I couldn’t believe I was 3 getting tickets (Courtney can now say that she has seen a Michigan game at Michigan Stadium). Forget the fact that I now had to arrange a trip 600 miles away- my family was going to see a Michigan home football game!

So, during Labor Day weekend, 2000, we made our way out to the Midwest. A nice stopover in Akron, Ohio left us close enough to spend the day at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton. What a place!

Saturday September 2, 2002 was a beautiful day (in more ways than one!). We got on a shuttle bus from our hotel which dropped us off right at the Stadium. I’ve never seen so many fans proud of their school. I would estimate that 90% of the people there were wearing Michigan gear of some kind.

Our seats were incredible. We were around midfield, 11 rows back! Someone was watching over us that day! Bowling Green didn’t prove much of an opponent, but Michigan needed the home opener to stretch its legs and get off to a good start. (They won.)

I’ve seen a lot of sports in my life, but this weekend was the best one ever!

Our seats

UM Stadium

(we sat on the red dot)

Why is Rich Eisen of ESPN such a big Michigan fan?

Well, for one, he went to school there. Click here to find out more.

And what’s the story with David Parry?

Click here to read a letter I sent to David Parry, Coordinator of Officials for Football in the Big Ten Conference, after a terribly-officiated game, in which Michigan lost to Northwestern in 2000. (For you football fans, this is the man that does the “You make the call” commercials). He called me personally to discuss this and his comments are included.

UM Bowl History

Jan. 1, 2018 – Outback
South Carolina 26, Michigan 19

Dec. 30, 2016 – Orange
Florida 33, Michigan 32

Jan. 1, 2016 – Citrus
Michigan 41, Florida 7

Dec. 28, 2013 – Buffalo Wild Wings
Kansas State 31, Michigan 14

Jan. 1, 2013 – Outback
South Carolina 33, Michigan 28

Jan. 4, 2012 – Sugar
Michigan 23, Virginia Tech 20 (OT)

Jan. 1, 2011 – Gator
Mississippi State 52, Michigan 14

Jan. 1, 2008 – Capitol One
Michigan 41, Florida 35

Jan. 1, 2007 – Rose
Southern Cal 32, Michigan 18

Dec. 28, 2005 – Alamo
Michigan 28, Nebraska 32

Jan. 1, 2005 – Rose
Texas 38, Michigan 37

Jan. 1, 2004 – Rose
USC 28, Michigan 14

Jan. 1, 2003 – Outback
Michigan 38, Florida 30

Jan. 1, 2002 – Citrus
Tennessee 45, Michigan 17

Jan. 1, 2001 – Citrus
Michigan 31, Auburn 28

Jan. 1, 2000 – Orange
Michigan 35, Alabama 34 (OT)

Jan. 1, 1999 – Citrus
Michigan 45, Arkansas 31

Jan. 1, 1998 – Rose
Michigan 21, Wash. State 16

Jan. 1, 1997 – Outback
Alabama 17, Michigan 14

Dec. 28, 1995 – Alamo
Texas A&M 22, Michigan 20

Dec. 30, 1994 – Holiday
Michigan 24, Colorado State 14

Jan. 1, 1994 – Hall of Fame
Michigan 42, NC State 7

Jan. 1, 1993 – Rose
Michigan 38, Washington 31

Jan. 1, 1992 – Rose
Washington 34, Michigan 14

Jan. 1, 1991 – Gator
Michigan 35, Mississippi 3

Jan. 1, 1990 – Rose
Southern Cal 17, Michigan 10

Jan. 2, 1989 – Rose
Michigan 22, Soutern Cal 14

Jan. 2, 1988 – Hall of Fame
Michigan 28, Alabama 24

Jan. 1, 1987 – Rose
Arizona State 22, Michigan 15

Jan. 1, 1986 – Fiesta
Michigan 27, Nebraska 23

Dec. 21, 1984 – Holiday
Brigham Young 24, 17

Jan. 2, 1984 – Sugar
Auburn 9, Michigan 7

Jan. 1, 1983 – Rose
UCLA 24, Michigan 14

Dec. 31, 1981 – Bluebonnet
Michigan 33, UCLA 14

Jan. 1, 1981 – Rose
Michigan 23, Washington 6

Dec. 28, 1979 – Gator
North Carolina 17, Michigan 15

Jan. 1, 1979 – Rose
Southern Cal 17, Michigan 10

Jan. 2, 1978 – Rose
Washington 27, Michigan 20

Jan. 1, 1977 – Rose
Southern Cal 14, Michigan 6

Jan. 1, 1976 – Orange
Oklahoma 14, Michigan 6

Jan. 1, 1972 – Rose
Stanford 13, Michigan 12

Jan. 1, 1970 – Rose
Southern Cal 10, Michigan 3

Jan. 1, 1965 – Rose
Michigan 34, Oregon State 7

Jan. 1, 1951 – Rose
Michigan 14, California 6

Jan 1, 1948 – Rose
Michigan 49, Southern Cal 0

Jan 1, 1902 – Rose
Michigan 49, Stanford 0