12/29/05- A Tale of Three Teams

In the 2004 Rose Bowl, Michigan was trounced by the USC Trojans.  Make no mistake- the 28-14 final score was not indicative of the disparity between the two teams.  Still Michigan fans had much to be hopeful about.  With a great recruiting class on the way and talented players returning many believed that another Big Ten Championship was possibly with a little luck a BCS bowl and maybe, just maybe a shot at the National title. 

As the 2004 season progressed the Wolverines had a few disappointments, most notably losses to Notre Dame and Ohio State.  But considering that they had two true freshmen in key offensive positions, QB Chad Henne and RB Mike Hart, another Big Ten title and a return the Rose Bowl made those losses a little easier to cope with.

In the 2005 Rose Bowl, Michigan lost to Texas 38-37 on a last second field goal.  Despite the result, it was outstanding football game.  And while disappointed by the loss Wolverine fans were buoyed by great expectations for the 2005 season.  Surely the Wolverines were primed for a run at the National Championship.

As the 2005 season unfolded the the disappointments began to pile up.  Another loss to Notre Dame, and conference losses to Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Ohio State, not only derailed any talk of a possible National Championship but prevented the Wolverine from winning the Big Ten.  Wolverine fans were exasperated when the Michigan streak of New Years' Bowl appearances was snapped and they found themselves in the Alamo Bowl.

In the Alamo Bowl the Wolverines blew another 4th quarter lead and saw bad season get even worse. 

One of These Things is Not Like the Other

In a few days, USC and Texas will square off for the National Championship.  Both teams share Michigan as a common opponent but you won't hear any commentators talking about what happened when Michigan last played these teams.  The Wolverines 8-5 record has made them irrelevant in the national championship debate.  USC gets no credit for manhandling Michigan two years ago.  Texas will get no credit for squeezing by the Wolverines last season. 

Michigan fans have the right to ask why both USC and Texas have risen to the top of the college football world while the Wolverines are relegated to the list of the vanquished foes.  Both teams have used different offensive styles to get to the top.  USC favors a traditional drop back quarterback while Texas is built around a QB who can attack through the air or on the ground.  Both teams have decent but not great defenses.

The Harsh Reality

If one thing has made itself crystal clear over the last few seasons it's that the Michigan defense just isn't as dominant as it used to be.  There have too many 4th quarter meltdowns for one to reach any other conclusion. 

Watching from the stands in Michigan Stadium against OSU I had the same thought that I had as I watched Texas move down the field in the Rose Bowl- hopefully they'll score quickly so that we have a chance to get the ball back.  I had no faith that the defense could or would stop them.  Out of the 100,000 people in the stadium that day I think that Lloyd Carr might have been the only person who thought that his defense could get the job done. 

What It Means

Michigan has come up against USC and Texas and has lost to them both.  It's time to look at what needs to happen for the Wolverines to reestablish their credentials as an elite team. 

The Wolverines need to unshackle the offense.  They need to put enough points on the scoreboard where a last minute drive can't hurt them.  They need to come to the realization that defense just isn't where it's at in college football right now.  The balance of power has tilted in favor of high scoring multi-faceted offenses. 

The Wolverines seems to have the most success on offensive when they have no other choice but to open things up.

They need to let their offensive playmakers make plays all the time rather than when circumstances force them to reluctantly open up the playbook.

The Good News

I think that Michigan has the personnel to make this change.  It wouldn't require a major rebuilding effort.  The USC template could be used with the players Michigan has right now.

Next Year, No Excuses...

No matter what happens one thing is clear- next season no excuses will be acceptable.  Lloyd Carr and his team needs to deliver a stellar season.  The Wolverines were decimated by injuries this season, OK we get it.  That means that next years team should have great depth between the players returning from injury and players who got game experience this season. 

I'm not sure that the program is in trouble.  I still see a lot of positive things- but I can see trouble from where we are now right now.

Whatever path the Lloyd Carr sets for this team will determine his legacy at Michigan.  Right now it's a little tarnished by the recent bowl losses, and the consecutive losses to rivals Notre Dame and Ohio State. 

I believe the Lloyd Carr is capable of turning this thing around.  I think he needs to in order to be in a position to name his successor. 

Whatever happens I'll be here cheering the Wolverines on!

Go Blue!

Phil Callihan
UMGoBlue.COM, Editor-in-Chief
phil@umgoblue.com
 

Phil Callihan is the Editor-in- Chief of UMGoBlue.COM.  Phil graduated from the University of Michigan in 1993 and has been a football season ticket holder since 1994.

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