Led by All-Americans Bob Chappuis and Bump Elliott, Michigan led the nation in total offense (412.7 yards/game) and passing average (173.9 yards/game).

Chappuis, runner-up in the Heisman Trophy balloting, was the Big Ten leader in total offense for the second straight year. Elliott, the team’s only two-way player, was named Most Valuable Player for Michigan and the Big Ten after leading the league in scoring.

When the Wolverines arrived in Pasadena, they were 15-point favorites and Crisler felt it was necessary to call a team meeting to stifle over-confidence.

Ten minutes into the game, on Michigan’s second possession, Jack Weisenburger spun across the line from the one to cap an 11-play, 64-yard drive and initiate the day’s scoring. In the second quarter, Weisenburger gained another one-yard touchdown, and Chappuis jump-passed to Elliott from the 11-yard line to give the Maize and Blue a 21-0 halftime lead. In the second half, Weisenburger collected his third touchdown of the game and the Wolverines recorded three TD passes from three different passers, including tosses of 18 yards from Chappuis, 45 yards from Hank Fonde, and 29 yards from Howard Yerges as Michigan rolled to a 49-0 victory.

The score stood as USC’s largest margin of defeat until 1966. In the game, Michigan shattered nine Rose Bowl records and accumulated 491 yards to the Trojans’ 133. Jim Brieske’s record of seven PATs remains unbroken. In a special Associated Press poll following the game, Michigan replaced Notre Dame as the 1947 National Champion by a 226-119 margin.