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​With the most important game of their season, and perhaps in the history of Michigan Football, looming next week, it would have been easy to lose focus in Bloomington against the upstart Hoosiers. The Wolverines did just the opposite. Firing on all cylinders, the Michigan machine rolled out in dominating fashion. They ended all doubt. They quelled all the naysayers. They did not play down to the level of their opponent, but instead played up to the level of their next opponent. Quickly and with surgical precision, Michigan put away the Hoosiers of Indiana. They outgained Indiana, 376 yards to 131 yards, went 5-10 on third down, went 12 of 16 passing, rushed for 208 yards, had a special teams touchdown, and held the Hoosiers to 26 yards on the ground. 

I could see my breath in the cold air of an early evening in Bloomington as I bellowed out "BLUUUUUUUUUE". Just minutes before, Steve Breaston put an exclamation point on the day, returning an Indiana punt 82-yards for a touchdown, beginning a mass exodus of Hoosier fans. Memorial Stadium, with its large Michigan contingency, began to echo with cheers of "GO BLUE" and The Victors. But as time began to expire, those in attendance began to realize that there were just four quarters remaining in this magical season, as rhythmic chants of "BEAT THE BUCKEYES" rang out. Michigan knocks off Indiana in Bloomington 34-3.

11-0.

Traveling six strong in an RV, the tailgate really started around 5:30pm on Friday when we departed for Bloomington and lasted straight through to just a few hours before this post. So much food was prepared, we began to invite everyone we could gather in the RV lot to come and feast with us. Of course, the drinks flowed freely as well, as we had our first Bloody Mary bar since Notre Dame weekend. Needless to say, I'm writing this now through one half-opened bloodshot eye...though more from sleep deprivation than alcohol. Last to pass out, I could have been the conductor of a snoring symphony of our group of six. Better stop myself now...what happens on the RV, stays on the RV. We did take a moment to celebrate the birthday of a Hall of Famer and Founding Father of the tailgate...the Godfather himself. Congrats to the Godfather on beating the odds and making it another year!

Kind of a big game this week. You might have heard about it on TV. Hopefully lots of content all week....and I still don't have a ticket to the game (seriously) so if anyone has any leads, please let me know at frank@umtailgate.com.

GO BLUE!

Indiana: So Bad It's Funny

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Michigan was coming off of a bye week. Michigan was looking ahead. Michigan wanted to rest Mike Hart. All of these things point to a letdown. But the Wolverines looked to be playing their best football on Saturday as they dominated and destroyed the Indiana Hoosiers 41-7 in the first half. Starters came out, and the second string allowed just one touchdown and Michigan won by a 41-14 margin. In the tune up before another epic battle with the toothless losers from Columbus, the Wolverines seem to be firing on all cylinders, poised to lock up a second place Big Ten finish, and with a little help (from those other idiots in green) could find themselves three-peating as champs and in a BCS bowl once again.

It always seems to come down to Michigan-Ohio State, and here we are once again. Beat the Buckeyes, and you ruin their BCS chances and leave your season up to Sparty. Lose to the Buckeyes, and you hand them a chance for an outright Big Ten championship, lower your record against Tressel to 1-4, and lose your third home game of the year. It's a game the Wolverines MUST win to complete the "great recovery of 2005" and move on to loftier goals in 2006.

We rounded up the group and headed to Damon's for our yearly banquet. Awards were given out for best smile (Adam and Chandra), most improved (Michelle and Frank Demski), most creative (me and the Captain), and tailgater of the year (Tugboat J). Pictures of the award winners and the day's events can be found on the Indiana picture page. Just one home tailgate remains, and this one is for all of the marbles. Bella Vino will have representatives coming around to judge for the Best Tailgate of the Year. I am unsure of the prize, or if there is a prize at all, but there is definitely bragging rights on the line, and maybe we even get to keep that trophy. The theme is Greek Food...so bring something good and arrive early...we all remember the nightmare that was 2003 Michigan-Ohio State.

 

Hurts So Good

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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.

Big Ten Opener...Yawn

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Wins and Losses

What's worse, an uninspired team posting a crappy defeat, or an uninspired and undeserved victory? Well, I'll take the victory every time, but the next time we have a game like the one on Saturday, I'll also take drugs. Comtemplating a nap in the first quarter, I saw four turnovers through the slits of my eyes. Somewhere between a good dream and a nightmare, I wasn't sure that I saw the correct score on the scoreboard given our poor performance. Then Steve Breaston caught a punt, and I was sure he was down, so I went back to sleep, but I was rudly awakened by fans cheering for a touchdown. Thank god for the replay on the scoreboard, or I would have missed it.

The defense looked somewhat efficent, but the offense was mostly stagnant...not to mention the ridiculous turnovers. The back-ups did a great job of making the game look good for the Hoosiers, allowing two touchdowns in the last five minutes as the Wolverines went on to victory 31-17.

Who Are These Guys?

Charlie Whitehurst, Clemson; Joel Klatt, Colorado; Kevin Kolb, Houston; Bruce Gradkowski, Toledo; Aaron Rodgers, California; Alex Smith, Utah; Ingle Martin, Florida; Ryan Hart, Rutgers; Tye Gunn, TCU; Kellen Clemens, Orgeon; Brad Smith, Missouri; Chris Leak, Florida; Matt Leinart, USC; Eric Greenberg, Colorado; Cory Randolph, Wake Forest; Jay Cutler, Vandy

Answer:

Freshman and Sophomores in the NCAA with better passing effieciency ratings than John Navarre. They represent 16 of the 61 quarterbacks that are better than Navarre in this category. Only Indiana's Matt LoVecchio, Northwestern's Brett Basanez, and Penn State's Zach Mills are worse in the Big Ten.

Hell Week

At Iowa. At Minnesota. Seven days with 34 hours of land travel. I can't promise solid updates during this period, but I will do my best to keep you posted on the activities of the tailgate.