A flock of Michigan football players raced across the turf. Leading the way was defensive back Mike Sainristil, who gripped a flagpole with both hands. A patch of blue fabric with the school’s signature logo, the block M, flapped behind him as he coasted toward his destination. Upon arrival at midfield, Sainristil slammed the rod’s tip into the ground with a dramatic flourish as “Hail to the Victors” started to blare upon impact.
A symbolic exclamation point was applied to the Wolverines’ first road conquest of their rivals in a generation. The 45-23 romp over Ohio State in Columbus last November sent shockwaves across the college football landscape, affirming the rebirth of Jim Harbaugh’s program.