| 1986 Michigan Wolverines football | |
|---|---|
 | |
Big Ten co-champion | |
Rose Bowl, L 15–22 vs. Arizona State | |
| Conference | Big Ten Conference |
| Ranking | |
| Coaches | No. 7 |
| AP | No. 8 |
| Record | 11–2 (7–1 Big Ten) |
| Head coach |
|
| Defensive coordinator | Gary Moeller (9th season) |
| MVP | Jim Harbaugh |
| Captains | |
| Home stadium | Michigan Stadium |
| Conf | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Team | W | L | T | W | L | T | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 8 Michigan + | 7 | – | 1 | – | 0 | 11 | – | 2 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 7 Ohio State + | 7 | – | 1 | – | 0 | 10 | – | 3 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 16 Iowa | 5 | – | 3 | – | 0 | 9 | – | 3 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Minnesota | 5 | – | 3 | – | 0 | 6 | – | 6 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Michigan State | 4 | – | 4 | – | 0 | 6 | – | 5 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Indiana | 3 | – | 5 | – | 0 | 6 | – | 6 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Illinois | 3 | – | 5 | – | 0 | 4 | – | 7 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Northwestern | 2 | – | 6 | – | 0 | 4 | – | 7 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Purdue | 2 | – | 6 | – | 0 | 3 | – | 8 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wisconsin | 2 | – | 6 | – | 0 | 3 | – | 9 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The 1986 Michigan Wolverines football team was an American football team that represented the University of Michigan as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 1986 NCAA Division I-A football season. In its 18th season under head coach Bo Schembechler, the team compiled an 11–2 record (7–1 against conference opponents), tied for the Big Ten championship, outscored opponents by a total of 379 to 203, and was ranked No. 8 and No. 7, respectively, in the final AP and UPI polls.[1][2] Late in the season, Schembechler passed Fielding H. Yost as the winningest coach in Michigan football history.
Michigan was ranked No. 2 after winning its first nine games, including victories over Notre Dame and Florida State. The Wolverines were then upset by an unranked Minnesota team led by Rickey Foggie.[3] After quarterback Jim Harbaugh guaranteed a victory over Ohio State, the Wolverines defeated the Buckeyes but lost to Arizona State in the Rose Bowl on New Year's Day.
During the 1986 season, quarterback Jim Harbaugh set Michigan school records for most passing yardage in a game (310 yards vs. Wisconsin), season (2,729 yards), and career (5,449 yards). He finished third in voting for the 1986 Heisman Trophy and was selected as both Michigan's most valuable player and the winner of the Chicago Tribune Silver Football award as the most valuable player in the Big Ten Conference.
The team's other statistical leaders included tailback Jamie Morris with 1,086 rushing yards, split end Ken Higgins with 621 receiving yards, and placekicker Mike Gillette with 59 points scored.[4] Three Michigan players received first-team honors on the 1986 All-America college football team: Garland Rivers at defensive back (consensus), Harbaugh at quarterback (Football News), and offensive tackle Jumbo Elliott (AFCA). Seven Michigan players received first-team honors on the 1986 All-Big Ten Conference football team.
- ^ "1986 Football Team". Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
- ^ "1986 Michigan Wolverines Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
- ^ "Gophers leave Wolverines bloody in 20-17 upset". Reading Eagle. (Pennsylvania). wire services. November 16, 1986. p. C-1.
- ^ "1986 Michigan Wolverines Stats". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved January 31, 2020.