Michigan football has winning record against new Big Ten members Oregon, Washington
Michigan Wolverines football will soon have two new conference foes, with the Big Ten officially adding Oregon and Washington beginning in August 2024. The Maize and Blue have a winning record against both Oregon (3-2) and Washington (8-5).
Michigan most recently played Washington at The Big House Sept. 11, 2021, with the Wolverines winning going away, 31-10, and putting up 343 rushing yards amidst a raucous atmosphere in primetime.
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That marked Michigan’s second-straight victory over the Huskies. Prior to the 2021 matchup, the last three meetings between the two schools has been decided by one touchdown or less, including a two-point game (31-29) at The Big House Aug. 31, 2002, when Michigan kicker Phil Brabbs nailed a 44-yard, game-winning field goal attempt as time expired.
The matchup prior, Washington needed some late-game magic to pull out the victory Sept. 8, 2001, in Seattle. Michigan led, 12-6, after three quarters, before the Huskies scored 17 fourth-quarter points to the Wolverines’ six, pulling off the 23-18 comeback.
Oddly enough, Washington didn’t score an offensive touchdown in that game. Its two six-point scores came on a pick-six and a blocked field goal returned for a touchdown. The Huskies’ offense was able to muster just 268 yards and 4.7 yards per play.
The 1993 Rose Bowl was another one to remember. The game, which had six lead changes, was all knotted up at 31-31 at the end of the third quarter. Michigan’s defense tightened up, shutting out the Huskies in the final stanza, while quarterback Elvis Grbac threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to tight end Tony McGee, which served as the game-winner.
Rose Bowl Player of the Game and running back Tyrone Wheatley scored three touchdowns and rushed for 235 yards on just 15 carries for a whopping average of 15.7 yards per attempt.
The series began with four straight Michigan triumphs in the series (1953, 1954, 1969, 1970) in which the Maize and Blue outscored the Huskies by a combined score of 126-10. Washington notched its first-ever win over Michigan in the 1978 Rose Bowl, before the Wolverines answered with a 1981 Rose Bowl victory. Then, the Huskies took three straight in the series (1983, 1984 and 1992).
The Wolverines are scheduled to play at Washington Sept. 9, 2028, but that non-conference game will be canceled now that the Huskies are in the Big Ten.
Michigan began the series with Oregon by gaining a 3-0 edge, after victories in 1948 (14-0), 1960 (21-0) and 1973 (24-0). The Ducks didn’t score a point on the Wolverines until 2003, in a 31-27 victory in Eugene.
The most recent clash between the Ducks and Wolverines came in 2007. Michigan was fresh off a stunning loss to FCS Appalachian State, and Oregon smelled blood in the water. Quarterback Dennis Dixon threw for 292 yards and 3 touchdowns in a blowout win at The Big House, 39-7.
