The Top 25 Michigan athletics moments since 2000: No. 4

We are 25 years into the 2000s, and to celebrate, we’re picking out the Top 25 moments for Michigan athletics this century. If it weren’t for the title run in 2023, this one would have been No. 1:

Chills. Each of the top four moments in our series will give you absolute chills as you remember them. They are plays, sequences or experiences of lore. Things we’ll be talking about with our kids, grandkids and other family members for the rest of our days. All four could stake a claim to the top spot, and I don’t think anyone would be disappointed.

But for the sake of this series, we had to do our best to sort them out. At No. 4, a picturesque scene in Ann Arbor as fans storm the field at the Big House after Michigan snaps the streak of a decade without a win against Ohio State.

4. Michigan ends losing streak to Ohio State (2021)

For years, the last game of the year for the Michigan Wolverines was considered a foregone conclusion. I’m a younger guy, born in 1997 (you’re welcome for the national title). Until 2021, Michigan had beaten Ohio State only five times in my lifetime, and only twice in any years I could remember (2003 and 2011). For students in Ann Arbor and the athletes on the field, that’s the life they had lived as well. Ohio State had a stranglehold on the rivalry.

Jim Harbaugh was supposed to be the answer, uplifting the Michigan program back from the dead. But five straight losses to the Buckeyes to start his career — followed by a 2020 season that left a lot to be desired — had everyone doubting if it would ever happen in his regime. The NFL continued to call, the administration was growing weary of the continued losses to rivals, and fans were getting tired of it.

All of that changed in 2021. Michigan wasn’t supposed to be very good. The Wolverines weren’t even a Top-25 team in the country to enter the season. But after starting 7-0, it appeared they might be catching some steam heading to rivalry games with Michigan State and Ohio State, two Top-10 teams in the country. Falling to the Spartans didn’t build a lot of confidence, as Harbaugh moved to 3-9 against the two most important opponents.

But the Wolverines stayed the course, rebounding by winning their next three before facing Ohio State. The Buckeyes were undefeated in Big Ten play, but had lost at home to Oregon earlier in the season. In the two games before facing Michigan, they combined for 106 points, including a dominant 56-7 win over Michigan State. Because of that, and the long streak of losses, the Wolverines were seven-point underdogs at home to the No. 2 Buckeyes. Many were already counting Michigan out, and history had proven that things shouldn’t go in their favor.

Harbaugh’s philosophy was simple — long, sustained drives that would cause Ohio State to panic. Michigan’s team was built for a physical game. They had one of the top offensive lines in the country and a pass rush that featured two elite pass rushers in Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo.

The Buckeyes were built the opposite: quick, agile athletes that could take any play to the house. They were led by Heisman finalist and college football’s leading passer C.J. Stroud. They wanted to strike quickly and bury teams early with an overwhelming amount of points. Something they accomplished many times throughout the season.

Michigan executed its game plan at a much higher level. Hassan Haskins scored all five touchdowns, and the team ran for 297 yards. Aidan Hutchinson had three sacks in the first half. Michigan spent nearly the entire second half going tit-for-tat with the Buckeyes, as five straight possessions among the two sides ended in touchdowns.

For the first time in a long time, Michigan could not only slow down the Buckeyes, but keep pace, and even outscore them offensively. The Wolverines were relentless with their rush attack down the stretch, beating down a weakened and bruised defense as the snow started to fall. The final nine plays were runs for the Wolverines’ offense — two were touchdowns, three were for double-digit yardage and two were the victory formation.

In a snow globe moment, fans stormed the field, after that final kneel from Cade McNamara. Michigan had finally vanquished Ohio State and ended one of the most embarrassing stretches of the rivalry’s history. Just bask in the greatness of this moment:

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• The Top 25 Michigan athletics moments since 2000: 25-21
• The Top 25 Michigan athletics moments since 2000: 20-16
• The Top 25 Michigan athletics moments since 2000: 15-11
• The Top 25 Michigan athletics moments since 2000: 10-6
• The Top 25 Michigan athletics moments since 2000: No. 5