Prior to the 1949 season, Michigan replaced the stadium's wooden bleachers with permanent steel stands and increased the seating capacity to 97,239.

[14] The 1948 Michigan team finished undefeated and untied with a 9–0 record and entered the 1949 season with a 23-game winning streak dating back to October 29, 1946.

Several key players from the 1948 team were lost to graduation, including All-American end Dick Rifenberg, All-American quarterback Pete Elliott, center Dan Dworsky, guard Dominic Tomasi, and halfback Gene Derricotte.

Finding a quarterback to replace Elliott and rebuilding the offensive line were rated as Michigan's biggest challenges in the 1949 pre-season.

Michigan State recovered a Dick Kempthorn fumble early in the first quarter and took a 3–0 lead on a field goal by George Smith from the 18-yard line.

Four plays later, early in the second quarter, sophomore Bill Putich came off the bench for his collegiate debut on fourth down; he threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Irv Wisniewski, and Harry Allis kicked the extra point.

[17] Michigan State halfback Lynn Chandnois gained acclaim for his efforts on both offense and defense, playing all 60 minutes of the game.

Spartan guard Ed Bagdon, winner of the 1949 Outland Trophy, also played more than 55 minutes, as did Don Coleman.

Don Dufek, and Dick Kempthorn also scored touchdowns, and Harry Allis kicked three extra points.

On Michigan's second play from scrimmage, Chuck Ortmann, who had set the conference passing record in 1948, was kicked in the head, suffered a concussion, and was carried off the field on a stretcher.

Don Dufek scored Michigan's lone touchdown in the fourth quarter, and Harry Allis kicked the extra point.

[23][24] On October 15, Michigan lost its second consecutive game, falling by a 21–20 score to Northwestern before a crowd of 54,816 at Dyche Stadium in Evanston, Illinois.

Harry Allis converted on the first and third extra points, but his kick after Michigan's second touchdown went wide to the right.

The Detroit Free Press credited "a heroic one-man show" from Chuck Ortmann for the victory.

Johnny Karras gained 122 yards on 23 carries for Illinois, but Michigan's defense held the Illini scoreless.

A short time later, Michigan's Chuck Lentz intercepted a Ken Gorgal pass near midfield and returned it to the Purdue 12-yard line.

Michigan took a 7–0 lead in the first quarter on a 10-yard pass from Wally Teninga to Leo Koceski, and Harry Allis kicked the extra point.

Ohio State scored its touchdown in the fourth quarter on a one-yard run by fullback Fred "Curly" Morrison.

Jimmy Hague's extra point attempt went wide, but the officials ruled that Michigan end Ozzie Clark was offside.

[34][35] At the end of November the Associated Press (AP) released its final poll with unbeaten Notre Dame rated as the national champion.

With three opponents ranked among the top 10 in its final polling (Ohio State, Minnesota, and Army), the AP rated Michigan as having played the toughest schedule in 1949.

The United Press described him as "one of the top linebackers in Michigan history", citing his "keen analysis" and "vicious tackling".