Remember When

While the Michigan upset of then no. 1 Ohio State at the end of the 1969 season gets its fair share of coverage, especially in Ann Arbor, the game the following year marked the first time that the two programs had not only elevated themselves above the rest of the Big Ten but were both playing for a possible national championship. Both teams entered the contest with perfect records and with three other national powers also sporting undefeated records at the time--Texas, Notre Dame and Nebraska--the Ohio State-Michigan loser would not only lose a perfect record, conference title and bowl game appearance (only one Big Ten team was allowed to go bowling back in that era), but any consideration for a national title.

As recapped in The USA Today Encyclopedia of College Football:

OHIO STATE 20 Michigan 9: Revenge was on mind of sr-dominated Ohio State (9-0), looking to turn tables on Michigan (9-1) which in 1969 inflicted most painful defeat in Buckeye history. After exchange of FGs, odd facemask PEN during line blocking ruined 71y Michigan punt by E-P Paul Staroba late in 2nd Q. Do-over resulted in good field position that allowed Buckeyes to grab 10-3 H edge as QB Rex Kern (8-12/87y, TD, INT) fired 26y TD pass to E Bruce Jankowski. But, Kern bungled scoring chance late in 2nd Q when he expelled K Fred Schram (2 FGs) from Bucks huddle, thus overriding coach Woody Hayes. Kern threw short pass to FB John Brockington, and he was tackled inbounds to end H. This unnoticed illegality made Michigan coach Bo Schembechler livid: "There is no way you can go into the huddle and come out without running a play!" UM E Staroba caught 3rd Q TD pass of 13y from QB Don Moorhead (12-26/118y, TD) and Wolverines moved to within 10-9. But, Buckeyes DB Tim Anderson knifed through to block Michigan K Dana Coin's tying kick. Ohio State's run game, which enjoyed astounding 242y to 37y advantage, dominated 4th Q as HB Leo Hayden (28/117y, TD) topped Schram's 2nd FG with 4y TD run. Now holding impressive 27-1 record over last 3 years, Buckeyes looked to capture their 2nd national title in 3 years for remarkable recruiting class of 1966 when they were to meet Stanford in Rose Bowl.

After Southern Californian beat Notre Dame, the regular season ended with Texas, Ohio State and Nebraska undefeated and ranked 1, 2 and 3 respectively. With Nebraska a clear third due to a tie with USC in September, the path to a title was clear for Ohio State. If Notre Dame beats Texas in the Cotton Bowl and Ohio State wins the Rose Bowl, the Buckeyes would be champions. The Irish came through with a 24-11 victory over Texas to prevent the Longhorns from winning two straight AP titles (they already won the UPI crown, which was still decided before the bowl games). But in one of the most stunning upsets in bowl game history, Stanford, led by Heisman-winning QB Jim Plunkett, beat the Buckeyes 27-17. Nebraska would go on to top LSU in the Orange Bowl 17-12 to win their first-ever AP national championship.