The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/201975
T By Michael Spath he Friday after Thanksgiving last year held great promise. If Iowa could manage an upset of Nebraska, the Wolverines would head to Columbus knowing that a win over the rival Buckeyes would give Michigan the Legends Division title and a berth in the Big Ten Championship contest. However, when the Cornhuskers prevailed, The Game was left pitting two teams against each other with neither having a shot to claim the conference crown. That the Maize and Blue had to at Penn State Oct. 12. If Michigan goes 5-0 over its next five games, it will represent the Legends Division in Indianapolis. Anything less than that, though, and U-M's fate dims considerably. "If they beat Michigan State, and beat Nebraska, they're in a good position, and could probably go 4-1 because you have to think each of those teams will probably lose to someone else, but you can't count on that," MLive.com beat writer Nick Baumgardner said. "The fear for Michigan is they'll It All Comes Down To This Legends Division Title And Big Ten Championship Game Berth Will Be Decided In November rely on the Hawkeyes to spring a trap brought a feeling of consternation and regret. Had U-M bested Nebraska in Lincoln in late October, Michigan never would have needed help from Iowa. But the Wolverines fell 23-9, giving NU complete control of its Big Ten fate. So it is that the Maize and Blue enter their five-game November this fall in control of their own destiny even after a 43-40 quadruple overtime loss look back at the Penn State game, and it will be similar to Nebraska last year — the one they couldn't afford to lose." There is a lot of season left, with Michigan, Nebraska and Northwestern each playing five November contests, and Michigan State and Iowa having four on the docket (Minnesota is not a legitimate contender), but the Wolverines cannot afford many slipups.