The Day That Didn't Matter

I heard all of the pre-game hype. About what this game meant, about how Michigan had everything to lose, and the Buckeyes had nothing to lose. About how the Big Ten Championship and a BCS bid was on the line. But then it was gameday...

They did it. They beat us. For the 5th time since 1988, the Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the Wolverines, and in dominating fashion. We had no answer for the offense that they created just for us. They practice to play us each and every week, even weeks when they were scheduled to play Northwestern, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Purdue. They don't just look ahead to Michigan during the season, they look ahead to Michigan as their season. Unfortunately (or fortunately), we don't. We play all of our games. That leaves Ohio State as a game in our season, not our season as a whole. And this year, that wasn't enough for us to compete.

It was difficult to leave the horseshoe, even when we fell be behind by 20 points. The Wolverine faithful, with leftover miracle hope from the MSU comeback, just wouldn't give up. But the team on the field didn't have the magic that day, and more importantly just didn't have the gameplan to solve Ohio State. Troy Smith ran through our defense as the NCAA ran through files in the Buckeye athletic office, and the Wolverines suffered their first Big Ten loss.

Disappointment? Yes. Buckeye fans rushing the field as if they had just clinched the National Championship is enough to make any Wolverine fan's blood boil. But the thought had to cross your mind...what are they celebrating? Yes, they certainly should be happy that they pulled off an upset, but are they so far gone that they don't realize they finished behind Northwestern in the Big Ten, and are slated for a bowl game that occurs before the new year?

Michigan is the Big Ten champion, and will be going to the Rose Bowl for the second straight year. Had Michigan won instead of lost on Saturday, they would be the Big Ten champion, and would be going to the Rose Bowl for the second straight year. So what did Michigan-Ohio State mean this year? It meant about four hours of wondering about the postseason before everything fell into place.

Perhaps you are disappointed in the season as a whole. Maybe you thought Gutierrez and Underwood would be the cornerstone in a National Championship season... but then again, you thought Gutierrez and Underwood were actually going to play, so what do you know? I guess this was a rebuilding year, and if that's the case, what a great one it was. Replace the Heisman trophy runner-up and 5th year senior quarterback with two true freshman, and win several close and exciting games on the way to a second consecutive Big Ten championship. You may have accepted that fate before the season started, and you certainly would have accepted it after Notre Dame.

The ebb and flow of college football. Coming out of the non-conference schedule, you pointed to Iowa, Minnesota, and Purdue as very possible losses. How would we stop the vaunted rushing attack of Minnesota? How would we put Heisman trophy shoe-in Kyle Orton in check? We beat them all. And now they're all looking up at us, wondering how they let us slip by, in a year where our team wasn't a dominating powerhouse, but a group of men trying to learn the system in a sport where every game counts... except for Michigan vs. Ohio State.

So the 2004 regular season comes to a close. Thanks again to everyone that played a part in our tailgate that celebrates the greatest team in college football. I hope we can have a great bowl game turnout and an active off-season for UMTailgate.com. See you all soon!

Simply Unbelievable

Rivals?

To say that Michigan State got up for the game on Saturday would be an understatement, if not an insult. Michigan State gave Michigan more than it could handle, dominating the game for the first three quarters, and the first three minutes of the fourth. The Spartan defense held Michigan's offense in check, forcing what seemed to be an endless series of three-and-outs. The Michigan defense remained on the field as the Spartan's managed the clock, dictated everything that happened along the line of scrimmage, and scored on big plays.

Not only was it ugly, but you wondered if it had ever been uglier. Flashbacks of bad losses in the Big House came to mind...Ohio State 2001, Iowa 2002. We were being manhandled, out-muscled, out-played...but this time, it was by our little brother from East Lansing. 'Doom' is the only word that comes to mind to describe the feeling when DeAndra Cobb ran a 64-yard dagger into the heart of the Wolverine defense, and the heart of the Wolverine faithful. It was 27-10, and there was no sign of life from the Michigan players on the field or on the sideline. As the kick return team jogged slowly onto the field, some people headed for the exits. Tough to blame them. The thought crossed the mind of every Michigan fan in attendance I'm sure.

But there's something to be said for taking your medicine.

And that's what we thought we were doing. Enduring a loss. And then IT happened. After a couple of quick first downs, Henne launched a bomb towards Braylon Edwards, who came back to make the catch on the under thrown ball to give the Wolverines a 1st and 10 at the Michigan State 12. But the Spartans would not be denied, holding the Wolverines to a 24-yard field goal, and holding a two-touchdown lead with just over 6 minutes to go.

And the Wolverines again jogged slowly out on to the field, this time to kick it off, as more fans made their way towards the exits. But they didn't get far, because the Wolverines kicked and recovered an onside kick, prompting a mass exodus from the concourse back into the stadium. So much work still to be done...so little time.

Then a two-play touchdown drive that took less than 20 seconds that ended with another spectacular Braylon Edwards catch. Follow that up with a Michigan State drive that included one first down, the loudest crowd in Big House history, and consumed about 2 minutes and 30 seconds, and Michigan took over with 3:18 to play from their own 40. Two-plays and 60 yards later, another Michigan touchdown...Henne-to-Edwards. It's tied. A slight clock management snafu and a pass-interference penalty gave Michigan State an opportunity to win the game with no time left on the clock, not unlike 2001, when the Spartans upset the Wolverines with no time left on the clock (wink wink). But the 52-yard field goal went wide-right, and we were going to overtime.

In front of the Michigan student section, the teams exchanged field goals to complete the first overtime, and in the process the Wolverines lost Mike Hart to injury. In the second OT, the Spartans struck first, forcing the Wolverines into a touchdown-or-lose situation. On 3rd and 6 from the Spartan 6, Henne lofted a pass to the corner of the endzone that was snatched from the sky by Jason Avant for the Wolverine touchdown. Rivas's extra point tied the game sending it into a third overtime.

After an incomplete pass and a Max Martin 1-yard run, Henne hit Edwards once again, this time for a 24-yard touchdown. Then Henne completed a pass to Tim Massaquoi for the two-point conversion, giving the Wolverines an eight point lead.

Michigan State's final drive was quelled by a 15-yard offensive pass interference penalty, and ended with an incomplete pass on 4th and 8 from the Michigan 23.

In the most improbable of scenarios, the Wolverines came out on top. And medicine never tasted so good. Fans that remained in their seats for the entirety of the game, now found themselves unable to leave at its conclusion, remaining in the stadium for several minutes reveling in the masterpiece they had just witnessed, and basking in it's joyous conclusion. Michigan wins 45-37.

The Wolverines take sole possession of first place in the Big Ten moving to 6-0 with Wisconsin (5-0) idle. Michigan, behind the amazing mix of Chad Henne, Mike Hart and Braylon Edwards, find themselves 8-1 overall, and ranked in the top-10. Not bad for a team that was on the brink of being casted-off a month and a half ago.

A Moment On Mike

I think it is important to realize the history-in-the-making we are witnessing with every game. Michigan football has been around for 125 seasons. 125 seasons of establishing the run. Mike Hart has rushed for over 200 yards in three straight games. Not only is that the first time a Michigan back has accomplished that feat, but Mike Hart's three 200+ yard games is one more than Chris Perry, Tom Harmon, Tim Biakabutuka, Jon Vaughn, Tyrone Wheatley, and Jamie Morris each had for their CAREER, and ties Ron Johnson for first all-time for 200+ yard performances in a Michigan career.

Mike Hart is ranked 9th nationally in rushing, despite having only eight carries going into the 3rd game of the season.

New Member of the Tailgating Elite

For the cheesy potatoes, for the chocolate chip filled brownies, for the endless love and affection she gives on a week-to-week basis, for her tireless dedication to UMTailgate.com, and for getting the Godfather to and from the tailgates...we are happy to induct Pammy Moore, Godmother to the tailgate and wife of the Godfather, into the UMTailgate.com Hall of Fame. We thank you for all you have done to make the tailgate special, and for raising and giving us the greatest family in all of Michigan tailgating, the Moore's. We love you all!

Winning Is Everything

 Bless me father for I have sinned. It has been two full years since my last confession...on the state of Purdue football. I feel I must do this because the Big Ten scheduling gods have removed Purdue from Michigan's schedule in the coming years, so it may be three years or more before I travel again to West Lafayette.

Two years ago, I expressed my malcontent with Ross-Ade stadium's classless scoreboard jargon, the Braveheart, Jaws, and Godzilla movie clips, the odd "Boiler Up!" chant, and the train whistle. I told you of the separate seating arrangement for the away fans, and the poor concessions and other facilities accompanying it. I maligned the all-khaki uniforms, and the late arriving crowd. I thought maybe, just maybe, something would be done about it. I cannot be the only person that has seen these problems.

I arrived at West Lafayette on Saturday with the best of expectations. The rain stopped just short of our trek to the stadium for kickoff, and the long walk, though the exact same as two-years ago, seemed shorter and less uphill than I remembered. I was only verbally accosted by one Purdue fan, but he and his group of "Ann Arbor Is A Whore" t-shirt wearing followers were weak, attempting only to get me close enough to him so he could fart on me. Fortunately for both of us, he did not succeed in his efforts.

Arriving at our gate, we found a long line to get in. All Michigan fans. All being corralled into a single gate, on our way to our high school bleacher end zone seat...and again...not allowed into Ross-Ade stadium. Then the whistle blew signifying the kickoff. On Michigan's first drive, 3rd down came and prompted a scene from Jaws on the video screen...an obvious throwback to Purdue's rich tradition as a marine biology school. Then on Purdue's first possession, a scene from Braveheart...obviously honoring the great respect for the Scottish revolution in the state of Indiana.

Nothing was fixed. Well, almost nothing. They scrapped the khaki uniforms, and the whistle didn't blow as much...but that was more a tribute to the Wolverine defense.

But another problem was quite evident on Saturday. It was quiet. The quietest it's been in West Lafayette. I actually heard Chad Henne's snap count. A quiet crowd can sometimes be the product of success. You've seen it often in Michigan stadium. But this just in...Purdue hasn't been successful. If seasons were five games long, they'd have an arguement. But talking National Championship and Heisman trophy after playing five games can only result in one thing...disappointment. And perhaps that is why Illinois made more third down noise in our game last week than I heard this week at Purdue. This is despite the fact that Illinois hasn't won in the Big Ten in two years, and they don't have a short fruity film featuring one of their players that appears on the screen prior to third downs saying MAKE SOME NOISE...like Purdue.

The Wolverines tried very hard to give Purdue this game. Our offense, who moved with reckless abandon from the 20 to the 20, just refused to put it in the end zone. We missed a field goal, had a field goal blocked, threw an interception in the middle of a good drive, and put linebacker Scott McClintock on a running back that was split wide left. We amassed 394 total yards...but only put up 16 total points. I think somewhere deep down we wanted Purdue to win this game. But Mike Hart is so young, he didn't get the message, so he decided to single-handedly manage the clock. In the process he gained 206 yards on 33 carries and had 3 receptions for 22 yards and a touchdown. Michigan's Teen Beat cover boys, Henne and Hart, outperformed the senior tandem of Orton and Stubblefield.

The defense that kept Purdue in check for the entire game finished it off, forcing a fumble on Purdue's final possession, giving Michigan the 16-14 win. Michigan remains undefeated in the league and has won 6 straight, including two wins over then-ranked teams. But they remain stagnant in the polls, a product of having young talent and a horrible early season loss to Notre Dame.

Well Purdue, see you in 2007...when Henne and Hart are seniors.

I will now say 2 Hail to the Victors and 3 Yellow and Blues. And I promise to be at church every Saturday.

Up Next: Backyard Brawl

Michigan Agricultural College is warming up the land grant tractor and heading our way. Game preview will be available on Wednesday. The theme for the October 30th game will be Texas Barbeque, and we will also be frying turkeys. Sister Kristen is unavailable for the week, so contact me for questions, suggestions, comments regarding the theme...webmaster@umtailgate.com.
In The Hall

It will be a event-filled and historic tailgate, as we will be inducting our 5th member into the UMTailgate.com Hall of Fame. Our inductee's identity is under wraps, only the founding fathers and some key members of the UMTailgate.com group are in the know...so it should be an exciting surprise.

The Wind At Our Backs

It was windy. Really windy. And it was cold. Too cold for mid-October in the middle of Illinois. There were a lot of places we'd have rather been. The tarp walls of the pop-up tent made it tolerable, and the small fire pit of a neighboring tailgate was enough to get the feeling back in your fingers. After some food and drinks, we found our rhythm and finished strong, even after the pop-up was blown 20-yards across the parking lot.

The Wolverines weren't much different. It was obvious that they didn't want to be in Champaign. Nothing to get fired up about. Just another Big Ten lackey in the way of destiny. So we came out flat. A couple of miscues, and suddenly the Fighting Illini had fought their way into a 17-10 halftime lead.

Any other day, any other team, and you would have had a raucous crowd to deal with, but most of the Illini faithful had already given up on this season, and many decided to skip what they thought would be a slaughter. A non-sellout crowd tried to yell and scream but their efforts were quelled by the whipping wind, and the second half Illini efforts were quelled by the swarming Wolverine defense.

But let us not forget Mike Hart. 40 carries, 234 yards. That's the most yards in a single game by a running back since Tim Biakabutuka's 313 yards against Ohio State in 1995.

After a 20-2 drubbing in the second-half, Michigan came out of Champaign with a 30-19 victory, staying undefeated in the Big Ten with 4 games to go.

Hurts So Good

Winning a Roadie

Despite the fact that the Hoosiers were grossly outmatched for Saturday's game, Michigan's victory was still sweet. Winning on the road for the first time this season, Michigan manhandled Indiana, 35-14. And trust me, the score was not indicative of the difference between these two programs.

Of course, it was not all sugar plums and fairies for this Wolverine team, which is struggling to find its identity. Be a team that establishes the run, be a team that establishes a medium range passing game,  or launch it up to the gamebreaking, and now Heisman trophy candidate, wide-receiver. Interesting questions for an interesting team. We continue to have some trouble running the ball, even against the porous Hoosier defense, and we have had more than our share of miscues in the form of turnovers. But time heals all wounds.

Thank goodness there are teams like Indiana on the Wolverines schedule. Each lopsided matchup helps us to find that identity, and gives experience to our young quarterback, young running back, and a tough-to-gel offensive line. Were coming together, and if we can get just a little veteran leadership from our juniors and seniors, special things CAN happen.

Little Brown Payback

Now there's no more time for testing. The real season starts in less than a week. The #10 and #11 rushers in the country are coming in to Ann Arbor...at the same time. Leading them onto the field will be a group of pissed off Gophers, looking for revenge from the greatest comeback in Michigan history. The Wolverines already failed a gimmie-game in South Bend, and now they face their first real test, against a real team, a team that is ranked above them.

Homecoming Theme

Unofficially (still waiting for confirmation on the message board from Sister Kristen) the theme for the weekend will be Southern Soul Food. Think fried chicken, collard greens, and the like...Sister Kristen will have more ideas for you on the board soon.