September 1, 2007 by Flickr user Derrick S. used via a Creative Commons license.It all started two years and two days ago with the biggest upset in College Football history. I remember the day well because I was sitting in an Austin sports bar, wearing a Michigan hat, and suffering the taunting barbs of UT-Austin fans, including one who, rather stupidly, suggested I stop rooting for the Wolverines and root for the Longhorns. Granted, the guy was drunk but still...It may be customary for Longhorn fans to abandon their teams after a loss but for me, pulling for Michigan has been a life-long pursuit.
No, I didn't attend Michigan and I have no ties to the University. I'm not a "rabid" fan, it's more of a rooting interest, and my world doesn't come to an end when Michigan loses. It's just football after all, but I've been a fan of the Maize and Blue for as long as I can remember. (The first football game I remember seeing was a Bo/Woody Wolverine/Buckeye affair that cemented my affection for the Wolverines.) Oddly enough, my wife of 11 years is a die-hard Ohio State fan, having spent part of her youth living in Ohio, and being shaped by the football mania in that area.
Unfortunately, that loss shrouded what turned out to be a fairly successful season, one in which the Wolverines beat the Tim Tebow-led Florida Gators in Citrus Bowl. By that time the damage was done however, and Coach Lloyd Carr had to go. In his place (in a panic move?) Michigan hired Rich Rodriguez away from West Virginia in an attempt to 'modernize' the program and install a fancy new-fangled 'spread' offense to defeat the quick new teams that have been giving old-school teams such as Michigan fits during recent years. (FULL DISCLOSURE: At the time I was not a fan of the Rodriguez hire, and I'm still not convinced he's the guy, especially after recent allegations)
With that being said I'm not sure die-hard Michigan fans are going to accept another non-bowl season, I'm also not sure Michigan is going to have the talent necessary to make a post-season appearance.
Without Further Ado:
Week 1: Western Michigan University - When you're struggling, it's always a good idea to go directional. Western Michigan is talented offensively, Michigan will be starting a ton of underclassmen and has a defense under a new coordinator that's untested. Yikes.
Prediction: WMU 24 UM 21
Week 2: Notre Dame University - They say that in a rivalry game you can throw out the record books. Not here. Notre Dame is going to be in a bowl this year, the Wolverines won't.
Prediction: ND 38 UM 10
Week 3: Eastern Michigan University - When you're struggling, it's always a good idea to go directional. This time the Wolverines get it right against weak competition. Still, after an 0-2 start the faithful are starting to howl.
Prediction: UM 27 EMU 17
Week 4: University of Indiana - The worst team in the Big Ten travels to the home of the second worst team in the Big Ten. And no, I'm not speaking of Northwestern. Ugly football.
Prediction: UM 17 IU 14
Week 5: @ Michigan State University - No one likes losing to their Intra-state rivals, which is why Michigan fans won't like this game.
Prediction: MSU 31 UM 17
Week 6: @ University of Iowa - Unfortunately you can't blame this one on that pink locker room. It's going to have more to do with the anemic Michigan offense and spotty defense.
Prediction: IU 27 UM 14
Week 7: Delaware State University - Football Law #1: If you can, always schedule a guaranteed winner on your Homecoming. Mission Accomplished via Div 1-AA (none of that FCS BS here).
Prediction: UM 42 DSt 10
Week 8: Penn State University - After D State the Nittany Lions are going to look like an NFL team. They're going to roll the Wolverines like they're one as well.
Prediction: PSU 38 UM 3
Week 9: @ Illinois University - The Fighting Illini are physically gifted, and poorly coached. It is the Zooker after all. That being said they'll have enough to beat the Wolverines at home.
Prediction: IU 31 UM 28
Week 10: Purdue University - By now the faithful are carping and things are not coming up roses in the Big House. A win is desperately needed, the Boilermakers are willing to play the foil.
Prediction: UM 24 PU 23
Week 11: @ Wisconsin University - Now needing two wins to make it to a bowl game the Wolverines' post-season hopes come crashing to the ground at Camp Randall. The carping is now in full voice.
Prediction: WU 28 UM 17
Week 12: The Ohio State University - For the sixth straight year, my wife has bragging rights in the house. It's gotten so bad I can't even put up a spirited defense any longer. The longest winning streak in this rivalry is Michigan's 9 straight from 1901-1909, Ohio State could break this if the Wolverines don't get their act together.
Prediction: OSU 38 UM 3
Final Record: 4-8 (T-8th Big Ten)
I've never wanted to be more incorrect about a prediction than I am on this one, but I just can't look at the schedule, a team that's already questioning its coach, and the youth that's all over the two-deep and come away with any scenario that gets the Wolverines into a bowl game.
Even though I'm not a fan of Rodriguez, I hope that Wolverine fans at least give him four years to try and turn things around. A knee-jerk reaction that leads to his ouster, and starting from scratch again, could damage the program for a decade or more.