Michigan v. Ohio State 1997 

1 rec for 40yards, PR TD, 1 INT. Woodson was the man. Heisman '97

& STILL the only defensive player to win the Heisman Trophy!!!!!!! Future Hall-of-Famer Charles Woodson!!!!!

Michigan should just be #1 every year for being the sweetest team ever. And despite the touchdown and smash-mouthing, Woodson owned Boston's life.

A grass field at Michigan Stadium brings back some good memories.

Did ABC air the Ohio State vs. Michigan football game on November 22, 1997, yes? Was the game being played at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan, yes? May Keith Jackson rest in peace.

Woodson had 11 catches for 237 yards an 2TD's. He averaged over 20 YP. He also had 5 carries for 41 yards and a big TD. I'd heardly say Woodson was "limited" on offense. He didn't play O because Michigan didn't have receivers. he played O because he's a sweet athlete. Michigan had an excellent receiver in tai Streets, a great TE in Jerame Tuman, and a really good TB trio of Anthony Thomas, Chris howard, and Clarence Williams. And Griese was a steady performer at QB

I ran track againest #18 for Michigan LeAundre Brown & that guy was fast good to see someone from my hometown represent

Plus, Michigans D-line had 3 all americans in Glen steele, James Hall, and Rob Renes.Dhani Jones, Ian Gold, and Sam Sword formed a fast, dominating linebackers unit, and our secondary was practically unbeatable. Against the run oriented offense, we could have stuffed the box and not let nebraska do anything, just like we did to PSU's and Wisconsins run offense

And BTW, huge thanks to parkinggod for taking the time to put these up. I hope you continue this next season and beyond. Can't tell you how many times I have watched all the vids you put up during the off-season. So thanks again. You rock.

Michigan needs to be like this again. Anything this team did was fucking gold.

I remember that his hit against baylor was sweet, as was his tuck rule hit against the patriots in 2001. Even the best players miss a few tackles. Plus, you said it yourself: Woodson was a shutdown cornerback and an electrifying return man. He also was a really good slot receiver. He was the ultimate duel threat player.

The Big ten is weak right now, but in 1997, the Big ten might have been the best conference in college football. Michigan went undefeated in 97 despite the fact they were playing the toughest schedule in the nation, and Michigan didn't need any "luck" to win their NC. They just went out and earned every victory they had. Nebraska played tennessee, and thats it.

We had a tougher schedule that year....the toughest in the nation, and unlike the Cornhuskers, we crushed Colorado 27-3. We also crushed Penn State and Michigan State as well. MSU had a bruising D in 97, and PSU was a dominant team as well.

Woodson was out of this world and deserved the heisman. A fantastic front 7 and one of the best defensive backfields in history. So many players from that 97 championship team had nfl careers. Brady Hoke had that D-line getting after it! btw, How do you get the Ohio State grad off your porch??? Pay for the pizza.

marcus ray and tommie hendrick were beast at safety that year.1 of the best defensive backfield in history.

Now, here's why the 1997 Wolverines would have beaten the 1997 Cornhuskers in a head to head match: -Michigans offense, although unspectacular, was still putting up at least 20 points on literally every team they played, and remember, Michigan was playing the toughest schedule in the nation, so our offense was putting up at least 20 points on some darn good teams with great defenses. We would have also put up at least 20 on nebraska considering we were putting up 20 on everybody

But that is one sweet return to the house.

GO WOLVERINES...I'm a VT fan, but this is the best rivalry in sports, and you have to choose a side.

"Michigan may not have feared Leif at the beginning of the game but their knees were knocking as the game-clock ticked down." The fact is that WSU put up only 16 points, whereas they had been putting up at least 30 all season long, and Leaf threw two bad interceptions (one of which was picked off in the endzone by Woodson). If we could contain Leaf, then I don't fear Scott Frost at all.

This was a great year for the Maize and Blue. I'm hoping Rodriguez can stop the slide vs. the Buckeyes in 2008. OSU has three times won four in a row but never five in a row against Michigan. Come on, Coach Rod, let's make sure that statement remains true!

His hit against baylor was the highlight hit of the year.

"The omission of a championship game makes the Big Ten an easier conference to win" That would be the case if the quality of teams in both leagues was the same. But in 1997, the quakity of teams in the Big ten was much more potent then the quality of teams in the Big 12. Today, the Big ten kind of sucks, but back then, the Big ten was a really good conference. More importantly, it is a fact that Michigan had the toughest schedule in the nation...much tougher then Nebraskas.

damm on those saturday afternoons listenin 2 the voice of keith jackson he will be missed retired like 2 years ago

You're kidding me right? Woodson is the best cornerback in the NFL, and has been for a decade now

I should have that somewhere, if they didn't edit it out of the ESPN Classic re-broadcast from last November...

Its up for debate what was the best conference in CF in 1997, but this is not up for debate. This is a cold hard fact: Michigan had the toughest schedule in the nation in 1997, and they went undefeated anyways. The fact that Michigan had tougher competition, among the other reasons I've pointed out, makes them a more legitimate national champion-and a better team-then the Cornhuskers. Everybody except Buckeyes fans and NU fans knows that the arguments are on Michigans side.

That would be a sight to behold and cherish. Go Blue!

"Frost was the engine that directed and powered the most dominant offense in the nation" And Woodson was the engine that anchored the most powerful and dominant defense in the nation. BTW, offense wins games, but defense wins championships. "The quarterback position should always be the tie breaker in the Heisman debate" Why? The Heismen doesn't go to the best QB in the nation, or the player most valuable to his team. It goes to the best player in the nation.

"Frost and Green played at another level than Michigan was use to seeing in the Big Ten" Hmm, we handled Ryan Leaf, Jon Hostetler, Joe Germaine, and Bill Burke pretty damn well.We could handle Scott frost. Plus, Michigan was facing much tougher competition in 97 then Nebraska. Frost doesn't scare me. Neither does Ahman Green, as we stuffed Curtis Enis and Ron Dayne in 97, so we could stuff Green as well.

yes that is the all time series.

The fact that Michigan had a much tougher schedule is just one of the many arguments in favor of michigan.

Watch the Michigan-Penn State highlights on RU-vid if you want to see hard hitting. A Michigan defender knocked the PSU ball carrier and himself out he hit the guy so hard. Let's not forget that was the game where #4 Michigan came INTO #3 Penn State and killed them 34-8.

Someone has to get the video of Woodson and Boston throwing blows at each other where Woodson takes his helmet off and challenges him. Can't find that anywhere.

The commentators said 23-5-1 during Michigan's defeat of Florida at the end of the Capital One Bowl in January. Did you find the actual stat somewhere? I'd be interested if you did find it as I only have what the announcers said to go on.

Thanks for the props. I don't have ESPNU and I probably won't have BTN (since I have Comcast), but I should be good to go on their other games.

ohio state is one the elite programs of college history, but their numbers still do not stack against michigan's. conference championships:43, record for most years in the top ten in a row, record for most winning seasons in a row, 31. best winning percentage in college football.which is impressive because they have been around for over 100 years and have not dropped up and down like every other great team has.the only team to have a winning record against notre dame.finally against osu 57-41-6

"In 97 the Wolvies were a solid, solid team but they didn't play a conference championship" Actually, michigan played the toughest schedule in the nation in 1997, and they went undefeated everybody, and unlike Nebraska, they didn't need any luck. these two facts make michigan a more legitimate national champion. Furthermore, Michigan had THREE impressive blowout wins over their own: 27-3 over NO.8 Colorado, 23-7 over NO.15 MSU, and 34-8 over NO.3 PSU at Happy Valley.

as much as we OWNED osu in the 90s its only fair that they get a few from us in the past few years. but fairness is over. im gonna be so happy to watch michigan kick the crap out of osu for years to come

Anyone know anywhere to get full games that are decent quality?

here's why the Michigan Wolverines were more legitimate national champions then the Nebraska Cornhuskers in 1997: -Michigan finished NO.1 in 3 of the 4 polls overall. Do the math. -Michigan finished NO.1 in the most important poll of them all: the AP Poll -Michigan had a tougher schedule then nebraska.

Couldn't agree with you more!

I wish I knew. He certainly didn't have any trouble beating Michigan (when he coached ASU) in the 1987 Rose Bowl...

"However, that Husker offence was the most dominant group in the nation that year. Michigan woudn't have known what hit them." And Michigans defense was the most dominant D in the nation in 1997. In case you haven't noticed, a great defense trumps a great offense. Don't believe me? Ask the 2002 Miami hurricanes, the 2000 Florida State Seminoles, or the 2006 Ohio State Buckeyes. And furthermore, michigans offense would put up "enough" points on NU's defense to win it.

No where else to go man!

The bottom line is this: The Michigan Wolverines were a more legitimate national champion then the Nebraska Cornhuskers in 1997, and the Wolverines would ahve beaten the Cornhuskers had the two teams played eachother that season

Northwestern is bowl eligible as well. I like your attitude, kevinsadrummer, even though you're not a Big 10 alum. I feel conference patriotism is almost as important as school spirit when it comes to sports. I'm a drummer as well. Also... Go Blue.

-Nebraska had impressive blwlout victories over KSU and Tennessee, but thats trumped by the fact that Michigan had three impressive blowout victories over Colorado, Michigan State, and Penn State. -Michigan didn't need any luck to keep their undefeated season alive. They just went out and earned their victories. -Finally, Michigan had the NO1. ranked defense led by the Heismen trophy winner. For these reasons, Michigan was more legitimate then Nebraska

Anthony Thomas Charles Woodson Brian Griese Could you ask for a more amazing team?! 1997 National Champions GO BLUE!!!!

I don't deny that ABC was biased towards Michigan. But I'm AM saying that the media poll was equally biased towards nebraska because Osbourne was retiring.

"No, you think that you had a tough schedule but in reality the Big Ten is overrated" According to the team records of our opponents, we had the toughest schedule in the nation in 1997. That is a fact. Also, we were voted NO.1 in the AP poll, and we were voted NO.1 in 3 of the 4 polls overall. Do the math. We didn't need any luck to keep our undefeated season alive, we had THREE blowout wins on the level of Nebraskas blowout of Tennessee, and we had the best d in the nation. We were better.

"They were slow and I really question if they could have handled a power running attack that routinely got pulling guards to the second level" Ian Gold, Sam Sword, and Dhani jones were the fastest linebacker unit in America in 1997. you don't know what your talking about. And please. Woodson can't tackle? What wolverines team were you watching in 97? Woodson is the hardest hitting cornerback at both the college and pro level.

"Woodson received the majority of Heisman buzz because he was going to be a high draft pick" No. he received the heismen because he was a better player in 97 the Manning. Manning was going to be a high dradft pick as well. he would have gone NO.1 to the jets if he had come out early. So you can also say that Manning was favored because he was going to be a high pick.

Not in 97, bud. Or 2003, the 100th anniversary of the Game. In fact, Michigan still owns OSU overall. Check the records! Go BLUE!

Man...my stomach was in knots when I watched this game!

Brady Hoke sighting at 6:39 - bottom right of the screen. Nice...

Plus, michigans linebackers were dominant as well.

I still don't think you get my point: Michigans schedule was tougher then Nebraskas. That is not my opinion. It is a fact. The combined records fo the teams we faced was better then for anybody elses schedule. The fact that we played a tougher schedule makes us a more legit national champion. I'm not a Big ten hawk. I'm just pointing out that michigans schedule was much tougher then nebraskas in 1997.

Must've been tough for Grease to call his kid's game.

Its not my opinion. Its a fact. Look it up: Michigan had the toughest schedule in 1997 based on the record of its oppoents. You can't win this argument. Michigan had a tougher schedule, and that makes them a more legit national champion then nebraska, period.

I hope you're right. McGuffie does indeeed look like a beast

Does anybody have a download of U of M O-State 1969

with whom did Michigan share the title??

I'd like to see another Michigan team like this, but for the hell of it-GO BLUE!!!!

Not to mention Michigan was the only team in history enter bowl week #1, win their bowl and not end the season #1 in both polls. Ridiculous.

"there is a lot of great Michigan viewing there but I think that it prove that you can't be objective about the Big Blue." But I can say that about you as well in regards to Nebraska, so that argument cancels itself out. And look, I know tackling wasn't Woodsons game, but you said he was a bad tackler, and I beg to differ. For a cornerback, he's a pretty damn good tackler.

Here to help me feel better since Michigan SUCKS today. I hope we're contending for the NC next time I come back.

@ELJimO1985 I am sure you like to tell yourself that. You can say that since it makes you feel better about yourself and your pride for Michigan

Some big talk coming from a team who is -17 wins up on Michigan.

Little did Lloyd Carr know that this Rivalry would be the END of him at Michigan....

all right chris how many sec players have made a good career in the nfl compared to big ten players. go blue

Now now lets be fair now, both Michigan and Ohio State are epic in their own ways. Michigan is Epic Win and Ohio State is Epic Fail.

USC Stanford is the biggest upset in college football history.

Well, alot of things stand out to me, but i understand what you're saying. Go Blue!

I see you weathers with that pick 6.

those times are coming back to michigan this year GO BLUE!!!

Hold on now my friend, you were the one who compared Scott frost to Tim Tebow. Now you are saying tebow is overrated after i pointed out that michigan beat his gators? I sense some backpeddling here.

"The AP is biased against The Big 12 because they don't see their games." Please, don't inject bias into this debate. The media poll was in love with Tom osbourne, and they were giving him a retirement gift by voting the huskers NO.1 Now THATS bias.

Big House..."hello heisman".

Michigan Wolverines 11 titles Ohio State Buckeyes 7 titles. Ohio State has catching up to do.

was this the last time UM beat OSU??? ; )

ahhh the good ol' days...

There is no more evidence for that statement than there is for this one: "Tom Osborne got half a national title as a retirement gift from his coach friends voting in the coaches' poll."

At least you guys don't have to lose to Floridia again this year. That's good.

-Also, Nebraskas offense was one dimensional. Michigan could ahve just stuffed nine guys in the box and shutdown nebraskas runninggame, just like they did to Dayne and enis. oh, and if frost even thinks of throwing the ball, Woodson is there to pick him off. Nebraska had a great offense in 97, but Michigan had a great defense, and a great defense> a great offense. Consclusion: Michigan wins by a score of about 20-7, as nebraskas offense is smothered by Michigans terrific defense

Also, I don't know how much Frost meant to the Cornhsukers, but i do know this: nebraska didn't pass nearly as much as the gators did, Frost is not better then Tebow, and Michigan's defense stuffed everybody in 1997, most notably Ryan leaf. I don't fear Scott Frost. He was a loudmouth. He did the mack Brown/Urban meyer, while michigan let their play do the talking.

want to hear a joke? you looking this video up when you don't like Michigan, get a life

That was a fun season. One of the best things was listening to all the bawling and whining from Tennessee fans who thought Peyton Manning should have gotten the Heisman just for returning to play his fourth year.

Three problems with that argument: 1. Scott Frost is not nearly as good as Tim Tebow. Tebow is the only sophomore to ever win the heismen, and he won it depsite playing in the SEC, which is CF's toughest conference. Frost is a Big 12 QB (and the big 12 sucked in 97), and Frost wasn't even in the Heismen discusssion in 97. 2. Unlike tebows Gators, Frosts Cornhuskers never passed. They were one dimensional

if you say so. afterall, you ARE the president Go Blue!

Dude, you missed my point: a great defense trumps a great offense,and therefore 1997 Michigan>>>>>>1997 nebraska. The Buckeyes stuffed Miami, the Sooners stuffed the Seminoles, the Gators stuffed the Buckeyes, and the Wolverines would have stufffed the Cornhuskers.

"Best ground game in the country with the top oline in the country that year" this is true. but a great defense trumps a great offense (just ask the 2002 Miami hurricanes or the 2007 New England Patriots), and the Michigan Wolverines defense in 1997 was from another planet. Led by Charles Woodson, our defense would ahve smothered your guys offense that season, especially considering you guys were one dimensional

nebraska doesn't run the spread offense though. they don't pass at all, and they never go into shotgun. Michigan could have just put 9 guys in the box and stuffed Green and Frost.

And make no mistake, the best player in the nation was Woodson.

Except Boise State, Auburn, and thats just the last 4 years.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOSTON. BOOOOOOOOOOOSTON.

Plus, Michigan's offense was putting up 20 points against tougher competition then what nebraska was facing. if Tennessee could put up 17 on nebraska, then we could have as well, and there's no way in hell Nebraska gets more then 10 points against our dominating defense. michigan would have beaten Nebraska in 1997, probably by a score of 20-7.

Ah...the good old days. *sniffle, sniffle*

Put a sock in it UM fans! Ohio State has the BEST turnover margin ratio in the Big Ten [#4 in the COUNTRY] (1.33/game) and UM has the worst [#114 in the country] (-1.00/game). OSU picking off your wonderboy, Forcier, should not have come as a shocker! The Buckeyes have been forcing TOs all year long - it's our M.O. Enough of the woulda-coulda-shouldas. The game was NEVER in doubt. If it got close, Tressel would have changed things up. He dominates you chumps, going 8-1. Pure Kryptonite.

great comment.

3. Michigan BEAT tebow and the gators, and that was with the 2007 defense, which was good, but not half as good as the 97 defense. So if we could beat tebow in 07, we could easily handle Frost in 97, ESPECIALLY considering Frosts offense was one dimensional. As for Griese and co, i never said we had a great offense in 97, but I do know it was good enough to score 20 points on everybody. We would have scored at least 20 on nebraskas defense, and there's no way NU scores more then 10 on us.