Michigan was cruising.

In the third quarter, the Wolverines held a 19-3 lead over South Carolina in the Outback Bowl and was on the verge of wrapping up a perfect 8-0 postseason for the B1G. Michigan was about to put an exclamation point on what had been an incredible week-long stretch for a conference that felt disrespected by the College Football Playoff committee.

But the Wolverines hit a rut and South Carolina took advantage. The Gamecocks scored 23 unanswered points and posted a 26-19 win in the Outback Bowl. Michigan finished the year 8-5.

It was a disappointing end to a disappointing season.

With the loss, the B1G ended the 2017-18 bowl season with a  7-1 record. Here’s a quick recap of the final scores from the B1G bowl games this postseason:

  • Pinstripe Bowl: Iowa 27 Boston College 20
  • Foster Farms Bowl: Purdue 38 Arizona 35
  • Holiday Bowl: No. 16 Michigan State 42 No. 18 Washington State 17
  • Cotton Bowl: No. 5 Ohio State 24 No. 8 USC 7
  • Music City Bowl: No. 21 Northwestern 24 Kentucky 23
  • Fiesta Bowl: No. 9 Penn State 35 No. 11 Washington 28
  • Orange Bowl: No. 6 Wisconsin 34 No. 10 Miami 24
  • Outback Bowl: South Carolina 26 Michigan 19

Even with Michigan’s loss, the B1G had an incredible run this postseason, one that it desperately needed after an abysmal 3-7 record in bowl games a year ago. It should only bolster the conference’s perception heading into the 2018 season.

Wins in New Year’s Six games from Penn State, Ohio State and Wisconsin will go a long with this offseason.

It would’ve been nice if the Wolverines could’ve clung to the win and the B1G ended the postseason at 8-0, but the conference to make a statement, and it was loud and clear.