Flashes of Power, Still Chasing Ohio State

The 2019 Michigan Wolverines Season: Competitive but Incomplete

The 2019 Michigan Wolverines football team finished with a 9-4 overall record and a 6-3 mark in Big Ten play, placing third in the East Division. The Wolverines finished ranked No. 18 in the final AP Poll and No. 19 in the Coaches Poll. They scored 412 points (31.7 per game) while allowing 269 (20.7 per game). Under fifth-year head coach Jim Harbaugh, Michigan faced one of the toughest schedules in the country (highest SOS in the nation) and closed the year with a Citrus Bowl appearance.

Regular Season: Strong Starts and Key Losses

Michigan opened ranked No. 7 and began with home wins over Middle Tennessee State (40-21) and Army (24-21 in double overtime). A 14-35 road loss at No. 13 Wisconsin dropped the Wolverines in the rankings. They responded with a 52-0 shutout of Rutgers and a defensive-minded 10-3 home victory over No. 14 Iowa.

A 42-25 road win at Illinois was followed by a 21-28 home loss to No. 7 Penn State. Michigan then delivered one of its strongest performances of the year, defeating No. 8 Notre Dame 45-14 at home in rainy conditions. Additional wins came at Maryland (38-7), against Michigan State (44-10), and at Indiana (39-14).

The regular season ended with a 27-56 home loss to No. 2 Ohio State, extending the Buckeyes’ winning streak in the rivalry.

Postseason: Citrus Bowl

In the Vrbo Citrus Bowl on January 1, 2020, in Orlando, Michigan faced No. 9 Alabama and lost 16-35. The defeat closed the season at 9-4.

Statistical and Contextual Notes

Shea Patterson threw for 3,061 yards and 23 touchdowns. Zach Charbonnet led the rushing attack with 726 yards and 11 touchdowns as a freshman. The defense, coordinated by Don Brown, ranked 11th nationally in total defense and continued a streak of top-12 finishes. All 11 defensive starters earned All-Big Ten recognition. Guard Ben Bredeson was named an All-American.

Michigan went 6-1 at home and faced six teams that finished in the top 20 nationally. The season featured notable wins over ranked opponents (Iowa and Notre Dame) but was defined by inability to overcome the top tier of the Big Ten East and a lopsided result against Ohio State.

In the broader historical context, the 2019 campaign reflected the mid-Harbaugh era pattern of competitive but ultimately incomplete seasons. It showcased defensive strength and occasional offensive explosiveness while highlighting ongoing challenges in the Ohio State series and consistency against elite competition. The year served as a transitional step before the program’s later breakthroughs.