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The fourth installment of this week’s series looking back at Michigan football season openers takes us back to 2017. For the second time in the decade, Michigan started the season with a neutral site game at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Tex. Once again, the Wolverines’ opponent came from the Southeastern Conference. This time, it was Florida, which Michigan had defeated several times over the years. 

Many pundits figured this game would be different, though. The Florida Gators had won 27 consecutive season-opening games. Michigan had lost Jabrill Peppers, who had declared for the draft. By now, coach Jim Harbaugh had the Wolverines back on the national radar screen, but surely the Gators would be too quick for them in this game. 

Once the game began, Wolverine fans were the only people who weren’t surprised by how quick Michigan’s players were, at virtually every position. Michigan spotted Florida an early field goal before getting to work. Running back Ty Isaac got things started with a 36-yard run on 3rd down and 13, but the Wolverines were forced to settle for a Quinn Nordin field goal to tie the score. Then Wilton Speight connected with freshman receiver Tarik Black for a 46-yard touchdown pass, and Michigan appeared to be in the driver’s seat. 

That changed significantly when Speight threw a pair of pick-six interceptions. Suddenly the Wolverines were trailing by seven, rather than leading by seven. 

Still, Michigan didn’t panic. John O’Korn briefly replaced Speight, but his first drive ended with a blocked punt, and Florida threatened to take control of the game. The Michigan defense held, and Florida kicker Eddy Pineiro hooked his kick wide left, keeping Michigan within a touchdown. 

Slowly, Michigan began to take charge. Nordin split the uprights with a 55-yard field goal to cut the deficit to four. Then Speight returned to the game. A quick snap on a fourth down led to a critical run by Isaac to gain a first down. A 3-yard TD run by Karan Higdon gave Michigan the lead for good early in the third quarter. The Wolverines then used every phase of the game, offense, defense, and special teams, to slowly tighten their grip on the game, leading to a 33-17 win that was much more one-sided than the score would indicate. 

Unfortunately, this game turned out to be the highlight of the 2017 campaign for Michigan. A see-saw season ended with a record of 8-5. But on this day, Michigan was as efficient as a Detroit assembly line.