Michigan's four-loss 'special' continued in 1995, which was especially disappointing after the Wolverines started the season 5-0. But few fans look back on 1995 with disappointed hearts because of two great games – U-M's spectacular 18-17 comeback over Virginia in the season opener and its 31-23 upset over No. 2 Ohio State, in which Tim Biakabutuka rushed for 313 yards and hoards of Maize and Blue faithful chanted 'Ed-die Who?' at soon-to-be Heisman winner Eddie George.

The momentum Michigan had gained with its early wins was lost in an unexpected 19-13 defeat to Northwestern in front of a stunned Big House crowd. The Wolverines rebounded with wins over Indiana and Minnesota, however, a 28-25 loss to Michigan State ruined any chance U-M had of making it to the Rose Bowl. A loss two weeks later to Penn State had Michigan reeling heading into its showdown with the second-ranked Buckeyes.

By this point, spoiling OSU's season was about the only thing Michigan was playing for, and they did just that in grand fashion thanks to the churning legs of Biakabutuka. He was not alone in conquering Ohio State, though. Below are the six best players from 1995. After you're done reading, go back to the front page to vote on who you believe was Michigan's best player that year.

Hayes lived in classmate Amani Toomer's shadow most of his career, but one catch changed all that. It was Hayes, and not Toomer, who was on the receiving end of quarterback Scott Dreisbach's 15-yard over-the-shoulder pass in the closing seconds of U-M's improbable comeback versus Virginia. Hayes had a career day against the Cavaliers, making seven receptions for 179 yards and two touchdowns. He finished the season with team highs in receptions (48) and yards (923), while coming in second in touchdown receptions (4) and yards per catch (19.2). The second-team All-Big Ten performer was bestowed honorable mention All-American status.

Mark Messner will forever live on as the best defensive lineman Michigan has ever featured, but Horn made a name for himself during his career and after a big senior year he at least has to be considered one of the top five. Horn tied Messner for the single-season record with 11 sacks in 1995 and finished in second place all-time with 24. The first-team conference selection and first-team All-American capped his career with 67 tackles, including 18 for loss. He proved his versatility, playing tackle for five games and end for seven for a defense that allowed just 93.2 yards per game on the ground – Michigan's second lowest total in more than 25 years.

With a name that instilled fear, Irons improved upon the contributions he made as a sophomore with an All-Big Ten first-team performance. Starting all 13 games in the middle of U-M's linebacking corps, Irons, the team captain – the first non-senior elected since 1984 – led the Wolverines with 125 tackles, including 11 tackles-for-loss (11 sacks). He had 40 more tackles than anyone else on team, easily winning U-M's Roger Zatkoff Award as top linebacker. He received national recognition also, earning second-team All-American honors and being named a finalist for the Butkus Award.

Runyan continued Michigan's fine tradition of talented offensive tackles, earning all-conference and All-American first-team honors in his junior season after paving the way for an offense that averaged more than 200 yards per game on the ground. With size and strength, Runyan quickly became a favorite bodyguard for running back Tim Biakabutuka and in Biakabutuka's famous 313-yard effort versus Ohio State, Runyan deserves a good amount of credit for neutralizing the Buckeyes' talented defensive front.

Astonishingly, Biakabutuka was NOT a first-team All-Big Ten selection in 1995. That honor went to Eddie George and Darnell Autry of Northwestern even though Biakabutuka rushed for the second most yards in the league and the most on U-M with 1,818 on 303 carries (6.0 yards per carry). Biakabutuka's 1,818 yards are the most ever recorded by a U-M back in a single-season. Michigan's Team MVP and a Doak Walker finalist, Biakabutkua had a number of big games during the season, including a three-touchdown performance versus Illinois and huge games against Northwestern and Michigan State, but he is best remembered (and rightfully so) for the 313 yards he gained on 37 carries against the Bucknuts.

Charles Woodson learned a thing or two from Thompson who showed Woodson how to be a great coverman, but also come up and lay the wood. Thompson led Michigan's defensive backs in tackles with 83 and was first among all Wolverines with eight pass break ups. Before Woodson emerged in his sophomore season, it was Thompson who was responsible for manning up with an opponent's top receiver and he did that superbly, earning first-team all-league honors. Thompson was also a ferocious hitter, recording four sacks.