The Michigan Wolverines finished 8-5 last season in defense of their national championship, forced to watch rivals Notre Dame and Ohio State battle it out in the 2025 championship game. The Wolverines' ultimately disappointing season culminated in a flurry of activity in the 2025 transfer portal,

Then, for the biggest play of the game, Notre Dame decided to leave Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith on an island. It was third and 12 and the Fighting Irish would get the ball back with a stop with a chance to tie the game. Smith completely burned his defender and he was wide open for a huge gain, and he iced the game.