Under fifth-year head coach Harry Kipke, Michigan compiled an undefeated 7–0–1 record, outscored opponents 131 to 18, extended the team's unbeaten streak to 22 games, and won both the Big Ten Conference and national football championships.

By winning a share of its fourth consecutive Big Ten football championships, the 1933 Wolverines also tied a record set by Fielding H. Yost's "Point-a-Minute" teams from 1901 to 1904.

In the second half, Michigan outscored its opponents 30 to 12 and defeated Illinois, 7–6, with the difference being Willis Ward's block of an extra point kick.

Key players returning from the 1932 team included halfbacks Herman Everhardus and Stanley Fay, center Chuck Bernard, tackle Whitey Wistert, ends Ted Petoskey and Willis Ward, and fullback John Regeczi.

In late August 1933, Al Thomas, the brother of the groundskeeper at Ferry Field, found it in bushes along East University Avenue in Ann Arbor.

[12] In a letter to a friend, backup center Gerald Ford, who later became President of the United States, wrote about Coach Kipke's pre-season training camp: "You should thank your lucky stars you're not a would be athlete.

Early in the game, Whitey Wistert downed the ball at the Spartans' two-yard line after a long punt by John Regeczi.

Players appearing in the game as substitutes for Michigan were Savage, Beard, Viergever, Westover, Oliver, Renner, Hildebrand, Singer, Jacobson, Tessmer, Chapman, and Fuog.

[19] Cornell's head coach "Gloomy Gil" Dobie led the Big Red to three consecutive undefeated seasons and two national championships in the 1920s.

Late in the third quarter, Fay scored a touchdown on a lateral pass from Bill Renner, and Carl Savage kicked the extra point.

Michigan's backup quarterback Estel Tessmer broke his collar bone in the fourth quarter and was unable to play for the remainder of the season.

Michigan substitutes appearing in the game were Chapman, Malashevich, Johnson, Hildebrant, Viergever, McGuire, Jacobson, Kowalik, Beard, Singer, Wells, Ponto, Ford, Fuog, Tessmer, Westover, Renner, Triplehorn, Dauksza, Oliver, and Remias.

An Associated Press report noted: "Feverish excitement, unequaled since that week 11 years ago when Michigan was getting ready to dedicate Ohio State's new stadium, has taken hold of Maize and Blue followers.

"[26] Another report noted: "The 'rah-rah' spirit is rampant once more in Ann Arbor to the extent that gang fights between Freshmen and Sophomores are being revived after a lapse of several years.

The Associated Press reported that "an air of deepest mystery" surrounded the Michigan camp, with expectations that Kipke intended to "shoot the works" against Ohio State.

[26] Michigan athletic director Fielding H. Yost predicted the matchup would be "some game" and added, "It won't be a parade of chocolate soldiers.

Newspapers and the University of Michigan yearbook reported that the game ultimately drew a crowd of more than 93,000, including 11,000 Ohio State fans.

"[31] Steve Farrell, who had served for many years as Michigan's track coach and the trainer of the football team, died four days before the Ohio State game.

[33] In a tribute to Farrell, the Michigan band formed the word "Steve" and "marched slowly down the field as taps were sounded.

Michigan substitutes appearing in the game were Renner, Westover, Oliver, Chapman, Viergever, Hildebrand, Borgmann, Beard, and Ford.

"[36] Chicago's 1933 football team was led by a new head coach, Clark Shaughnessy, and by Jay Berwanger, who won the first Heisman Trophy two years later.

Players appearing in the game as substitutes for Michigan were Chapman, Malashevich, Viergever, Hildebrand, Stone, Jacobson, McGuire, Borgmann, Ponto, Beard, Singer, Ford, Fuog, Renner, Bolas, Triplehorn, Oliver, and Remias.

Fullback Cook scored from the three-yard line, but Barton Cummings' kick for the extra point was blocked by Michigan's right end Willis Ward.

The Associated Press opened its account of the game: "Herman Everhardus, the Flying Dutchman of Kalamazoo, unleashed a toe as true as a navy siege gun and Bill Renner displayed uncanny passing aim today as Michigan's powerful football team, playing in snow and ice, swept toward a fourth consecutive Big Ten championship .

Michigan's best scoring opportunity was set up by a Statue of Liberty play in which Bill Renner dropped back to pass and cocked his arm to throw.

Having played what was considered an "extremely difficult schedule", Michigan was awarded 28.52 points, well ahead of the runners up: Nebraska (24.61), Minnesota (23.87), Pittsburgh (23.01), and Ohio State (23.01).

[75][76] Based on his contributions to both the track and football teams, right end Willis Ward finished second in balloting for the Associated Press Big Ten Athlete of the Year award.

[80][81] In a letter dated September 17, 1933, Gerald Ford wrote: "Herm Everhardus and myself just had a couple bottles of beer a piece, and did they ever taste good after drinking milk (and that's all) at the training table.

On October 8, 1933, the day after the Michigan-Michigan State football game, Ford noted that his fraternity was planning a big party with a barrel of beer.

After the Ohio State game, the university attracted unwanted national publicity when its board in control of athletics mailed notices to ticket holders warning that they would be ejected if complaints were received about their drinking.