In their fourth year under head coach Lloyd Carr, the Wolverines compiled a 10–3 record (7–1 against conference opponents), finished in a three-way tie for the Big Ten championship, and were ranked No.
[1] Offensive tackle and team co-captain Jon Jansen was the only Michigan player to be recognized as a first-team All-American.
[5][6] On the opening drive of the second quarter, William Peterson intercepted a tipped pass and returned it 51 yards for a touchdown.
Less than a minute later, Anthony Jordan intercepted a pass from Church and returned it 32 yards for a touchdown, giving Michigan a 52–13 lead.
Eastern Michigan responded with a 12-play, 80-yard drive ending with a four-yard touchdown pass from church to Ethan Vannoy.
On the next drive, Kevin Thompson of Penn State fumbled, and Josh Williams recovered the loose ball for Michigan.
Clarence Williams then fumbled the ball back to Penn State inside the Michigan 10-yard line.
In the third quarter, Dewayne Patmon intercepted a Kevin Thompson pass near midfield, and Michigan again capitalized as Feely kicked a 49-yard field goal.
In the fourth quarter, Brady led Michigan on an 11-play, 46-yard drive ending with a one-yard run by Anthony Thomas.
[14][15] Tom Brady completed 17 of 30 passes for 224 yards and two touchdowns and was selected as the Chevrolet Michigan player of the game.
Linebacker Mac Morrison had 12 tackles and was selected as the Chevrolet Penn State player of the game.
After being suspended for the first six games of the season, defensive back Marcus Ray returned to the lineup for Michigan.
In the first minute of the game, Andre Weathers intercepted a pass by Wisconsin quarterback Mike Samuel.
Later in the quarter, Michigan tied the score on a six-yard touchdown pass from Tom Brady to Jerame Tuman.
[17][18] In the third quarter, Wisconsin blocked a Michigan punt from behind the goal line and took over with excellent field position.
[20] Offensive tackle Jon Jansen was the only Michigan player to receive first-team honors on the 1998 All-America college football team.
[22] Wide receiver Tai Streets won the 1998 Bo Schembechler Award as the team's most valuable player.