“Michigan really saved the season,” Finebaum said. “That was a defining moment for Sherrone Moore after we wrote them off. And my biggest takeaway has nothing to do with those two schools. It had everything to do with Texas went in there a few weeks ago and beaten them so badly which makes me even more impressed with Texas.”

However, the Michigan football coaches did just that. Sherrone Moore installed Alex Orji as the starting quarterback, deciding that running (and protecting) the football was much more important than having someone who could make throws downfield -- which occasionally ended up in the hands of someone wearing the wrong uniform.

The late touchdown spelled heartbreak for USC, which erased a 14-0 deficit and roared back to take a 24-20 lead with 7:01 remaining in the first-ever Big Ten meeting between the historical powers. Michigan quarterback Alex Orji passed for just 32 yards in his first career start,