See You In 2005

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Goodbye To Joe?
Perhaps in the shadows of the celebration following the game Saturday, a bit of history may have walked off the field. Joe Paterno, one of the greatest college football coaches of all time, may have graced the Big House with his final presence. The Wolverines and Nittany Lions never met before 1993, and they won't meet again now until 2005. The Wolverines hold a 7-3 series lead on Penn State following their 27-24 overtime victory on Saturday, having won the last 6 in a row. Before Michigan's current six-game winning streak, Penn State had not lost six straight in a series since Pittsburgh beat them 10 straight between 1922-31. So we welcomed JoePa into the Big Ten late in his career, and perhaps we send him out, having handed him his worst loss at home (1997), his only shut out at home (2001), and most recently his longest losing streak against one team.

Make Room in the Hall
On Saturday, for the second time in UMTailgate.com history, new members were inducted into the UMTailgate.com Hall of Fame. The Madhatter and John Dogan joined the Godfather and Captain Michigan on the flag. In an emotional ceremony, The Madhatter was inducted by the Godfather, and John Dogan was inducted by Capatain Michigan. These gentleman have demonstrated the unique ability to celebrate the passion that is the Michigan Tailgate experience, to celebrate the team on the field in a win or a loss, and to drink beyond the normal capacity for someone in their age group. It is for these reasons that I am proud to welcome these two great men into the UMTailgate.com Hall of Fame.

On Deck: The Boilermakers

GO BLUE!!!

The Webmaster

Champaign Wishes

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On the Road Again

In our second road trip of the year, we met up again with Gar's World (we just live in it) and tailgated in style just blocks away from the stadium. Garwitches, marinated king salmon, and hamballs were on the pregame menu, and hamburgers, brats, and chicken wings came out in the postgame. In between meals, the Wolverines dominated the Illini 45-28. The domination did not come in total yardage, but in turnovers and special teams play, a previous area of weakness.

The win gave the Wolverines their 21st consecutive win in Big Ten openers, and their 3rd consecutive win over the 2001 Big Ten Champion Fighting Illini, and continued a streak of domination by the Wolverines in Champaign, having not lost there since 1983.

GO BLUE!!!

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Not So Hot

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Utes With Heart

The Utah Utes, with their small corner of fans within Michigan Stadium, did everything they needed to do on Saturday. They hung around until the very end, getting within a field goal late in the fourth quarter before the Michigan defense forced a turnover to seal the victory 10-7. Just watching the game was brutal, and we can only hope for improvements as we move into the Big 10 season next Saturday in Illinois. Special thanks to Gar of Garsworld.net for his post-game hospitality.

I apologize for the brief update, I'll get back into the swing of things after next week's game. Hope to see you all in Champaign.

GO BLUE!!!

The Webmaster

Mystique and Mistakes

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Return to Glory

I must admit, I was awfully two-faced leading up to the game on Saturday. Driving acoss the state of Michigan, I announced to the passengers in the car that I really was uncomfortable going into Notre Dame. I couldn't help but imagine the stomach turning feeling of the national spotlight shining upon the Wolverines on Sunday. Envisioning not the good spotlight, but that light they shine in the face of suspects in investigation rooms in movies and television shows. It's the light that exposes your weaknesses and eventually forces you to come clean with the truth. The truth is, I have trouble believing that Notre Dame has a better team than Michigan. The truth is, we are making mistakes that are inexcusable. The truth is, the defense isn't as good as we thought it would be. The truth is, John Navarre often looks uncomfortable, overthrows receivers, and in turn makes me uncomfortable. After Saturday, the truth is, it's tough to believe in this team the way you may have believed in them on Friday. The truth is, we were beaten by the Fighting Irish, 25-23 in South Bend, had a short missed (blocked) field goal, got caught for a safety, committed stupid penalties, and got shown up on the national stage. The truth is, our Wolverines have 2 wins and 3 losses in their last 5 games.

Prior to gametime, at tailgate #2 of the day, I changed my tune and got cocky, spouting off about all of the ND fans and their 'Return to Glory' shirts. At this point, I became convinced that we could not lose. I remarked that it is a travesty that a storied program such as ND would have to 'Return'. To 'Return' you have to leave. After this weekend, I can't help but wonder, are we about to leave? No doubt the rest of the country, jealous of our century plus of sucess, are giving us a collective 'don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out'.

An Extravegenza of Tailgating

After having been to the Godfather's pad only a few times before, I went there 3 separate times in two days this weekend. The crew and I had a Friday night midnight snack, a Saturday morning breakfast, and a Saturday evening dinner and drinks. A thousand thanks go to The Godfather and Godmother for their hospitality. All of us enjoyed the trip down memory lane in the Hall of Fame section of the basement, and the video of the initial meeting of Stephen, Bubba and the Godfather's crew that brought us all together. Food, alcohol, memorabilia, and last but not least a fight (not De La Hoya - Vargas, but Pedro - Nick) followed by mailbox baseball without a bat for entertainment. It doesn't get any better than that.

Movin' On Down

The Wolverines fall to #14 from #6 and #7 respectively in the coach's and AP polls. That puts them just behind the Huskies that had a bye week, and just ahead of a Penn State team that manhandled the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the Saturday night game.

Get Pumped Up... It's a Big Game Against, um, Utah?

Utah? Coming off of a controversial loss to Arizona coming on a blown call late in the 4th quarter, the Utes are going to be pissed when they come to town next weekend. At this point, it would be in our best interest not to take anyone lightly. Until we get our collective acts in order, we should worry about every game.

GO BLUE!!!

The Webmaster

Still the MAC's Daddy

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Help Wanted: Placekicker

Despite coming through on the one kick that counted most, Michigan kickers went 1 for 4 in their first game against the Huskies. On Saturday against the Broncos, Philip Brabbs, college football's feel good "goat to hero" story from the week before was 0 for 2 on field goals from 51 and 47 yards. Yes, long attempts. But if you had seen how far off they were, you'd have sworn that that they were blocked. Luckily, this game was over before it started, and the field goals had little meaning to anyone except your local bookie, as the 7th ranked Wolverines defeated Western Michigan 35-12, and were able to rotate in several non-starters. However, you can't help but wonder when the time will come when the Wolverines meet their match, and field goals will make a difference not at the end of a game, but during a game. Fifteen points have been wasted on failed attempts. Will this be the achillies heel for the 2002 Maize and Blue?

Movin' On Up...Yet Again

After The Gators were blown away in the swamp by the hurricanes, the Wolverines moved up a spot in the ESPN/USA Today Poll to #6. More of the same in the AP Poll, as the Wolverines moved up to #6 there as well.

Rudy Was Small...

...and would have never made OUR Scout team. UMTailgate.com goes on the road for the first time in the 2002 campaign as the Wolverines travel to South Bend for one of the most storied match-ups in college football. Pre-game and post-game festivities will be at UMTailgate.com's western headquarters, the home of The Godfather in Stevensville, Michigan.

GO BLUE!!!

The Webmaster