Michigan football: 5 best seasons in Wolverines history
No. 6 Coaches/No. 6 AP. 1973 (10-0-1). 4. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Big Ten Co-Champion. player. 811
Michigan football finishes No. 6 in the nation in 1973.
The 1973 Michigan Football team has a little bit of controversy, which holds it back from going up any further on our list. But before we get there, let’s talk about everything prior.
The 1973 Wolverines finished the season 10-0-1, marking their first undefeated season since 1948, and outscored their opponents 330-68, behind a stellar ground attack and a stingy defense.
Michigan football modern-era Mount Rushmore. light. Related Story
This was the first and only undefeated season during the Schembechler era and was during the middle of a five-year stretch in which the Wolverines went 50-4-1. But if they didn’t lose game, where is the national championship? Or even a finish inside the top five of the AP rankings?
Well the lone non-win of the season was against Ohio State in their regular-season finale match up, in which the two teams tied 10-10. Following the game, athletic directors of the conference voted 6-4 to send the Buckeyes to the Rose Bowl over the Wolverines.
From Schembechler to Vice President Henry Ford, many were upset and disappointed by the decision that most think was decided due to the season-ending injury of the Wolverines’ starting quarterback Dennis Franklin.
A great season ended unjustly.