Ah, the highs and the heartbreaks only sports can provide.

Saturday night was just another night on that emotional roller coaster.

After nearly a decade of watching my Michigan Wolverines squander away countless leads and lose to too many terrible teams, I thought our time in the sunshine had returned.

Michigan hosted in-state rival Michigan State Saturday in Ann Arbor in the most hyped game in the Big House in several years.

Michigan had shutout their three previous opponents and Michigan State, while undefeated heading into Saturday’s game, didn’t look unbeatable.

After 59 minutes and 50 seconds of football, Michigan had a 23-21 lead and prepared to punt the ball in the dark Ann Arbor sky and kickoff the long-awaited celebration.

Not this time.

In one of the more incredible moments in college football history, the snap was fumbled, flipped toward a passing Michigan State player who ran into the end zone a hero for fans of the blue and white.

So it goes.

Sure, I’m not the most fervent sports fan around, but I would have to agree that I’m invested in a few of my favorite teams.

Over the years, my Wolverines, Bengals and Reds have taken me on quite the emotional roller coaster.

Moments after Michigan’s mind-numbing loss this past weekend, several in-laws said something along the lines of “Now you know what the 2013 Iron Bowl did to Alabama fans.”

At least I’m not alone.

Along with stunning losses that will never fade from memory, there are just as many victories that bring us back even after the most heartbreaking defeat.

Whoever your favorite teams may be, I have no doubt you’ve been on the same emotional journey.

While sports are far from the most important thing in life, they can sure make it interesting.

I sat on my in-laws’ couch for what seemed like eternity Saturday night – my head in my hands, my face as white as the surrender flag I could have waved over the season.

Not this time.

To some, the bottom might have just fallen out of Michigan’s 2015 roller coaster, but I’m nowhere near done with them yet.

Like life, sports has its ups and downs, but that’s what makes it interesting.

Go Blue.

Jay Sowers is the photo editor for Gulf Coast Media. To reach him, please email jay@gulfcoastmedia.com