In their third season under head coach Bo Schembechler, the Wolverines compiled an 11–1 record, outscored opponents 421 to 83, won the Big Ten Conference championship, and were ranked No.

The Wolverines were undefeated in the regular season, including three consecutive shutout victories over Virginia (56–0), UCLA (38–0), and Navy (46–0).

They are: Linebacker Dana Coin set an NCAA record by successfully converting 55 of 55 extra points without a miss during the 1971 season.

In March 1971, Michigan coach Bo Schembechler launched a public campaign to change the Big Ten's restrictive bowl participation policy.

He noted that lesser teams had played in major bowl games and said, "It was a crime what happened to us last season.

The candidates to take Moorhead's spot as the team's starting quarterback included Tom Slade, Kevin Casey, and Larry Cipa.

Other key players lost from the 1970 season included offensive lineman Dan Dierdorf, middle guard Henry Hill, and linebacker Marty Huff.

[7] Michigan opened its 1971 season with a 21–6 victory over Northwestern in front of 42,472 spectators at Dyche Stadium in Evanston, Illinois.

Michigan scored seven rushing touchdowns, two each by Taylor and Alan Walker and one each by Shuttlesworth, Bob Thornbladh and Fritz Seyferth.

In the fourth quarter, Michigan added two more touchdowns on a 92-yard interception return by Thom Darden and a short run by Harry Banks.

Michigan's running backs scored five rushing touchdowns, two by Alan Walker and one each by Billy Taylor, Harry Banks, and Fritz Seyferth.

[14] With Michigan State athletic director Biggie Munn in critical condition following a stroke,[15] the Spartans kept the game close.

Michigan kicker Dana Coin converted three point after touchdown attempts and kicked a 27-yard field goal.

Quarterback Tom Slade threw an interception on the first play from scrimmage, setting up an Illinois touchdown only one minute and 23 seconds into the game.

[17] On October 23, in the annual Little Brown Jug game, Michigan defeated Minnesota, 35–7, in front of 44,176 spectators in Minneapolis.

Michigan rushed for a total of 452 yard, with addition touchdowns scored by third-string fullback Bob Thornbladh (2), quarterback Tom Slade (2), and Alan Walker.

Michigan also recovered four fumbles and played its reserves extensively, with a total of 68 players seeing game action.

For the second consecutive week, Ed Shuttlesworth led Michigan in rushing, totaling 125 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries.

Purdue quarterback Gary Danielson, who attended high school in Dearborn, Michigan, kept the game close with touchdown passes of nine and 66 yards.

Billy Taylor, assisted by a devastating block by Fritz Seyferth, put Michigan back in the lead with a 21-yard touchdown run with two minutes and seven seconds left in the game.

[23] Ohio State's final drive ended when Thom Darden intercepted a pass with one-and-a-half minutes remaining.

After the interception, Ohio State coach Woody Hayes ran across the field, berating each of the officials for Darden going over the back of intended receiver Richard Wakefield.

Michigan's Dana Coin kicked a 30-yard field goal in the second quarter for the only first half scoring.

The kick was short, and Stanford safety Jim Ferguson caught the ball and attempted to run it out of the end zone.

Instead, he was knocked back into the end zone by Ed Shuttlesworth for a controversial Michigan safety, as replays seemed to show that Ferguson's forward progress was to the three-yard line.

[25] In their third season under coach Schembechler, the Wolverines compiled an 11–1 record, outscored opponents 421 to 83, won the Big Ten Conference championship, and played in their second Rose Bowl in three years.

[26] In early January 1972, the Associated Press (AP) released its final post-season college football poll for the 1971 season.

[27] After setting Michigan's career rushing record, Billy Taylor received numerous honors at the end of the 1971 season, including the following: Four other Michigan players won first-team All-American honors as follows: Linebacker and placekicker Dana Coin set an NCAA record by successfully converting 55 of 55 extra points without a miss during the 1971 season.

[20][39] Fifteen Michigan players received honors on the 1971 All-Big Ten Conference football team.

They are: (1) Tom Beckman (St. Louis Cardinals, 1972, Memphis Grizzlies, 1974–1975), (2) Larry Cipa (New Orleans Saints, 1974–75); (3) Jim Coode (Ottawa Rough Riders, 1974–80); (4) Thom Darden (Cleveland Browns, 1972–1981), (5) Glenn Doughty (Baltimore Colts, 1972–1979), (6) Dave Gallagher (Chicago Bears, 1974, New York Giants, 1975–76, Detroit Lions, 1978–79), (7) Fred Grambau (Hamilton Tiger-Cats, 1973–75), (8) Clint Haslerig (Chicago Bears, 1974, Buffalo Bills, 1974–75, Minnesota Vikings, 1975, New York Jets, 1976), (9) Mike Hoban (Chicago Bears, 1974), (10) Mike Keller (Dallas Cowboys, 1972), (11) Randy Logan (Philadelphia Eagles, 1973–83), (12) Reggie McKenzie (Buffalo Bills, 1972–1982), (13) Seattle Seahawks, 1983–1984), (14) Guy Murdock (Houston Oilers, 1974; Chicago Fire/Winds, 1974–1975), (15) Bo Rather (Miami Dolphins, 1973, 1978; Chicago Bears, 1974–78), (16) Paul Seal (New Orleans Saints, 1974–76, San Francisco 49ers, 1977–78), (17) Fritz Seyferth (Calgary Stampeders, 1972), (18) Paul Seymour (Buffalo Bills, 1973–1977), (19) Ed Shuttlesworth (Toronto Argonauts, 1971–1973), (20) Billy Taylor (Calgary Stampeders, 1972), (21) Mike Taylor (New York Jets, 1972–73), and (22) Bob Thornbladh (Kansas City Chiefs, 1974).