Past Rose (Bowl) Redux In Title Tilt–Michigan vs Washington

The 1/1/2024/2023 season last “4 in the college football ‘offs,” produced two scintillating semi-final games, manifesting in Michigan and Washington holding respective 7 and 6 point(s) leads, yielding a Wolverines vs Huskies title game a week hence.

After Michigan, which trailed (7-0), led (13-7) and eventually trailed (20-13) with about 4 minutes remaining, prevailed (27-20) in overtime vs Alabama, with Blake Corum’s 17 yard TD scamper decisive, Michael Penix Jr. threw for 430 yards and 2 touchdowns in Washington’s (37-31) win vs Texas.

Washington never trailed, having a 7 point lead thrice only to be tied before leading (28-21), (31-21), (34-21), (34-28), (37-28) and (37-31) with 45 seconds left and then needed to stop Texas, which had 4 “shots” from the “Wash” 12 or 13.

The two teams met in and split 4 Rose Bowls (Wash winning after the ’77 and ’91 seasons, Michigan winning after the ’80 and ’92 seasons).

Speaking of “split,” the last title for each team was a split one.

Washington’s lone post wire service crown was a shared one with Miami in ’91, as stated “claimed” after a Rose Bowl win vs Michigan.

Michigan won the ’97 season Rose Bowl vs Washington State and shared its first crown, shared or otherwise since 1948, with Miami Florida.