NCAA Football Michigan Wolverines

5 Best Michigan Football Teams in the Modern Era (1969-2014)

5 Best Michigan Football Teams in the Modern Era (1969-2014)

Lloyd Carr Michigan
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The University of Michigan has had a lot of great teams since Bo Schembechler took over as head coach in 1969. It's hard to pick which of those teams was the best. Here are the top five best Michigan teams of the modern era.

5. 1985 Season

Bo Schembechler 80s
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5. 1985 Season

Bo Schembechler 80s
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Michigan followed an average 6-6 season in 1984 with one of their best seasons ever in 1985. The Bo Schembechler and Jim Harbaugh-led Wolverines went 10-1-1, including a Fiesta Bowl victory over Nebraska. They finished the season ranked No. 2 in the country in both the AP and Coaches poll.

4. 1974 Season

Michigan Stadium
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4. 1974 Season

Michigan Stadium
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The 1974 Bo Schembechler-led Michigan team finished the season 10-1 with their only loss coming in their final game against Ohio State. Kicker Mike Lantry had a chance to win the game in the final seconds, but was unable to convert a 33-yard field goal attempt. The Wolverines had a dominant defense, allowing only 6.8 points per game. Michigan would finish the season ranked third in the AP poll.

3. 1971 Season

Big House
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3. 1971 Season

Big House
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In 1971, Bo Schembechler led Michigan to an undefeated regular season on their way to a Rose Bowl matchup with Stanford. Michigan held a lead late into the fourth quarter, but Stanford kicked a last-minute field goal to come away with the victory. Michigan went 11-1 and finished fourth in the Coaches poll. The ’71 team had four All-Americans and had 16 players go on to play in the NFL.

2. 1973 Season

Bo Schembechler
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2. 1973 Season

Bo Schembechler
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The 1973 Michigan team was Bo Schembechler’s best. Michigan and Ohio State both came into their final game of the regular season with an undefeated, 10-0 record. The Wolverines were down 10-0 going into the fourth quarter, but were able to storm back and tie the game. With 28 seconds left Michigan had a game-winning field goal attempt that they could not convert. They finished the season at 10-0-1.

1. 1997 Season

Charles Woodson Michigan
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1. 1997 Season

Charles Woodson Michigan
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The only team on this list not coached by Bo Schembechler happens to be the best. In 1997, Lloyd Carr led Michigan to a perfect 12-0 record and a national title. They had a dominant defense led by Heisman Trophy winner Charles Woodson, and an efficient offense led by quarterback Brian Griese. Thirty-one members of the ’97 team would go on to play in the NFL.

David Cuff is a University of Michigan Football writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @DaveCuff, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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