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As Michigan fans wake up on Christmas morning, wipe the sleep sand from their eyes and gaze at all the presents and gifts Santa stashed under their Christmas trees, they should be thankful. Hopefully they got the Jim Harbaugh khaki pajamas they asked for. Or maybe their favorite player’s jersey.
But what fans really want isn’t some possession they can hold on to. Here are what Michigan fans really want for Christmas. If they’re making their early wish list, surely these are on them.
Big Ten Title
Michigan hasn’t won the Big Ten since 2004. That was back when they had two freshmen named Chad Henne and Mike Hart. Even then, they had to share the title with those darn Iowa Hawkeyes.
It seems like every year Michigan is tripped up on its way to a conference title. Whether that be a beat down to hands of Wisconsin or a meltdown against Northwestern, something always seems to get in the way.
College Football Playoff Berth
It seems so long ago Michigan played Ohio State with a chance to move on to the College Football Playoff. The year was 2016, and the game went into overtime. When it was over, it was the Buckeyes that moved on, only to get crushed by Clemson.
But how sweet it would have been if Michigan had won — even if it meant they were the ones getting crushed.
Since the playoff began in 2014, Michigan has played down the stretch with a legitimate chance to make it twice — in 2016 and 2018. But maybe that will change in 2020?
National Title
Remember 1997? That’s when Michigan football last won a national title. Even being in consideration for the big game would mean Michigan has elevated itself to an all-new level during the 2020 campaign.
I’m sure Michigan Wolverines’ fans wouldn’t discriminate. Maybe a national title in basketball — men’s or women’s — would be a welcome gift as well. Michigan’s last championship in either on a national scale was 1989. They came real close last season in baseball, too.
Of course, if Michigan were to win the big one, that would mean almost every other wish on this list would have come to fruition. Wouldn’t that be something?
Victory over Ohio State
It’s been a while since the Michigan football team has beaten Ohio State. It hasn’t happened since 2011, in fact, a depressing fact Wolverine fans have to live with. Add in that Michigan’s 2011 victory — over the Luke Fickell-led Buckeyes — is Michigan’s only win over Ohio State since 2003 and it becomes even more disappointing.
And it’s not without promise. Each year it seems there is a glimmer of hope. This year, Michigan came into the contest on fire. The offense had its moments in the first half of the game and then boom, another big win for the Buckeyes.
Needless to say, maybe more than a Big Ten title or even a national title, Michigan fans would want nothing more under their trees than a win over that team down south, wrapped in a little bow.