[1] Two Michigan players (Anthony Carter and center George Lilja) received first-team honors on the 1980 All-America college football team, and nine, including all five interior offensive linemen (Lilja, Ed Muransky, Bubba Paris, Kurt Becker, and John Powers), received first-team honors on the 1980 All-Big Ten Conference football team.

The 1979 Michigan Wolverines football team compiled an 8–4 record, including a loss to unranked North Carolina in the 1979 Gator Bowl.

However, Michigan's next two drives ended with fumbles, and in the second quarter Northwestern tied the game on a 35-yard field goal by Jay Anderson.

When the Wolverines got the ball back with 1:21 remaining the first half, coach Schembechler put John Wangler into the game in place of Hewlett.

Michigan was forced to punt after three plays, and Northwestern again drove the ball down the field, this time scoring on a one-yard run by Dave Mishler.

Northwestern, in the midst of a 34-game losing streak, dominated a third quarter in which Michigan ran only three plays and had the ball for two minutes and thirty seconds.

John Wangler replaced Rich Hewlett in the second quarter,[13] and threw two touchdown passes in the span of 1:19 to tie the game, 14-14, at halftime.

[14] In the second half, Anthony Carter returned the opening kickoff 67 yards to the Notre Dame 32-yard line,[13] and Michigan scored on a two-yard run by Stanley Edwards.

[14] Notre Dame scored a touchdown (but missed the extra point) with 1:03 left in the third quarter on a 49-yard interception return of a Wangler pass.

Notre Dame's drive was aided by a controversial pass interference call against Michigan of which Coach Schembechler said after the game, "It was the key play, without it, they wouldn't have scored at all.

"[15] Michigan faced South Carolina and eventual 1980 Heisman Trophy winner George Rogers in the third week of the season.

[16] On the first drive of the second half, Michigan drove the ball to South Carolina's 8-yard line and appeared to be poised to take a 21–3 lead.

We should have punted ..."[16] Late in the fourth quarter, Michigan had a chance to tie the game with a field goal, but opted to go for the touchdown on a pass play that was tipped off the hands of Anthony Carter.

"[16] South Carolina's offense was led by its tailback (and Heisman Trophy winner) George Rogers, who gained 142 yards on 36 carries.

The game was close for the first three quarters, as Cal's Heisman Trophy candidate, quarterback Rich Campbell, completed 22 of 34 passes (including 15 for 15 in the second half) for 249 yards.

[18] After the game, Schembechler noted that respect for Cal quarterback Campbell led Michigan to emphasize the run: "Our intention was to control the ball and keep our defense off the field.

In the closing minutes of the first quarter, Leister led the Spartans on a 49-yard drive ending with a 49-yard field goal by Morten Andersen.

Michigan accepted the penalty for a first down at the nine-yard line, and three plays later, Wangler threw a five-yard touchdown pass to Carter in the corner of the end zone.

The Spartans, trailing by four points, had a final opportunity to score with less than two minutes remaining, but Cannavino intercepted a Leister pass (on a tip from Jim Herrmann) to seal the victory.

Michigan scored 13 points in the last three-and-a-half minutes of the half, including two field goals in the last 30 seconds, to take a 23–7 lead at halftime.

With 13 seconds remaining in the half, Wangler threw a four-yard touchdown pass to Anthony Carter, the only catch of the day for Michigan's top receiver.

[30][31] On the game's opening possession, Purdue drove to Michigan's 21-yard line before Mel Owens sacked Herrmann for an 11-yard loss.

John Wangler completed passes of 19 and 23 yards to Anthony Carter, and Stan Edwards scored on a three-yard run behind a strong block of Jim Looney by Kurt Becker.

After Haji-Sheikh missed a field goal early in the fourth quarter, the Wolverines drove 60 yards in eight plays for a touchdown on its next possession.

[34] The Buckeyes were led by senior quarterback Art Schlichter who became the third player in Big Ten history to surpass 6,000 yards in total offense (Mark Herrmann and Rick Leach were the first to accomplish the feat).

"[35] Ohio State had a chance to win late in the fourth quarter, as Schlichter completed a 28-yard pass to the Michigan 32-yard line with less than a minute to play.

[33][34] After the game, coach Schembechler paid tribute to his Big Ten championship team: "This was a great group in terms of never giving up.

[37] Michigan drove the ball 83 yards to start the second half, scoring on a 25-yard field goal by Ali Haji-Sheikh.

After the game, Michigan players carried Schembechler off the field on their shoulders as the coach held his arms above his head in victory.

They are: Kurt Becker (Chicago Bears, 1982–88, 1990, Los Angeles Rams, 1989), Marion Body (Michigan Panthers, 1983), Keith Bostic (Houston Oilers, 1983–88, Cleveland Browns, 1990), Don Bracken (Green Bay Packers, 1985–90, Los Angeles Rams, 1992–93), Andy Cannavino (Michigan Panthers, 1983, Chicago Blitz, 1984), Brian Carpenter (New York Giants, 1982, Washington Redskins, 1983–84, Buffalo Bills, 1984), Anthony Carter (Michigan Panthers, 1983–84, Oakland Invaders, 1985, Minnesota Vikings, 1985–93, Detroit Lions, 1994–95), Milt Carthens (Indianapolis Colts, 1987), Evan Cooper (Philadelphia Eagles, 1984–87, Atlanta Falcons, 1988–89), Jerry Diorio (Detroit Lions, 1987), Tom Dixon (Michigan Panthers, 1984), Craig Dunaway (Pittsburgh Steelers, 1983), Stanley Edwards (Houston Oilers, 1982–86, Detroit Lions, 1987), Paul Girgash (Michigan Panthers, 1984), Ali Haji-Sheikh (New York Giants, 1983–85, Atlanta Falcons, 1986, Washington Redskins, 1987), Stefan Humphries (Chicago Bears, 1984–86, Denver Broncos, 1987–88), George Lilja (Los Angeles Rams, 1982, New York Jets, 1983–84, Cleveland Browns, 1984–86, Dallas Cowboys, 1987), Ed Muransky (Los Angeles Raiders, 1982–84, Orlando Renegades, 1985), Mel Owens (Los Angeles Rams, 1981–89), Bubba Paris (San Francisco 49ers, 1983–90, Indianapolis Colts, 1991, Detroit Lions 1991), Lawrence Ricks (Kansas City Chiefs, 1983–84), Carlton Rose (Washington Redskins, 1987), Rich Strenger (Detroit Lions, 1983–87), Robert Thompson (Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1983–84, Detroit Lions, 1987), and Butch Woolfolk (New York Giants, 1982–84, Houston Oilers, 1985–86, Detroit Lions, 1987–88).