Charles Woodson’s top five games as a Michigan Football player

No. 2 1998 Rose Bowl

It’s hard to believe a two-interception game against Ohio State doesn’t make the top two, but if not for Woodson, who saved one of his best games for last, U-M doesn’t win the national title.

Back in 1997, there was no College Football Playoff, so top-ranked Michigan and No. 2 Nebraska played in different games. That meant the Wolverines essentially controlled their own destiny — beat Washington State and Ryan Leaf and the national title would be locked up.

However, things didn’t go according to plan early and the Cougars built a 7-0 lead and were looking for more. In the red zone, with a chance to go up two scores, Leaf threw a ball up for grabs and not surprisingly, Woodson came down with it.

He picked off 17 passes in his three seasons at Michigan, with three coming against Ohio State, but none were bigger than this one.

Not only that, he finished the game with four pass deflections and a first-down run in the fourth quarter, as well as a tackle for loss.

It was a classic Woodson performance and the fact that it came in the Rose Bowl, with the national title on the line is why it deserves the No. 2 ranking.