Michigan Football: Most Heartbreaking Losses

Oct 17, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Jake Rudock (15) attempts to throw the ball against the Michigan State Spartans during the 2nd half of a game at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

In the wake of Michigan football‘s devastating loss to the Michigan State Spartans on Saturday, it’s time we flip back in the books and take a look at the Wolverines’ most heartbreaking losses.

I’m not including anything that occurred before 1946 because everything following 1945 is what many consider to be the modern era of college football. It was the first post-war season, and the season before was the last time a service academy won a national championship.

(I found that to be insignificant in my research.)

Anyway, I had a few that were immediately knocked off the list. Michigan State just a few days ago and Appalachian State in 2007—gone.

What I found after that was an unfortunate theme of devastating losses coming in recent years.

You have 2013’s Ohio State game, in which Michigan miraculously found itself in position to win with a two-point conversion and a broken Devin Gardner. Then you of course have Colorado’s Hail Mary—the “Miracle at Michigan”—in 1994.

That Colorado game actually somewhat resembles what we just saw against the Spartans. Both teams were pretty highly ranked, and it took a comeback to even make the miracle possible.

My intention here isn’t to break your heart and give you something to sob over while Michigan has a bye week.

(Disclaimer, though: It’s not my fault if that’s exactly what you do.)

So here you go—Michigan football’s most heartbreaking losses.

Next: Michigan State, 2001