The 1997 football team from Michigan won the program’s first national championship since 1948 after defeating No. 8 Washington State in the Rose Bowl to conclude a 12-0 campaign.

Since then, there has been another protracted title drought, but the Wolverines have a chance to break it on Monday against No. 2 Washington in the national championship game.

Many contend that the Michigan team from 1997—especially the one from the modern era—is the greatest in programme history. During the year, the Heisman Trophy winner Charles Woodson’s Wolverines defeated seven ranked opponents, three of whom were in the top 10. However, there was no Big Ten championship game in existence at the time, thus Michigan and fellow unbeaten Nebraska split the crown.

If this Michigan team can defeat the Huskies to cap off a 15-0 season, Woodson is prepared to elevate it to the top.

“They’re the greatest team in Michigan history if they go on and win this game,” Woodson declared this week on the Rich Eisen Show. “Without a doubt. We didn’t got to play in the playoffs and play 1 vs 2 or anything similar, which is one of the reasons. We faced Washington State in the Rose Bowl, and as national champions, we will always be associated with that type of “co-champ.”

This is a team that has faced many challenges. This is a team that advanced to the postseason. This group defeated the formidable Alabama Crimson Tide in the Rose Bowl. And I’ll give it up if they succeed in defeating Washington. They would be Michigan’s all-time best team.

This group has encountered numerous difficulties. This is a post-season squad that made it. In the Rose Bowl, this team triumphed over the powerful Alabama Crimson Tide. And if they can overcome Washington, I’ll give it up. They would be the greatest team Michigan has ever had.