It might not feel much like Michigan vs. OSU week to any of you reading this right now. In fact, it doesn’t feel much like Michigan vs. OSU to the MMQ right now. There’s no tension, anticipation, elation, memory reliving (well, maybe just a little of that) and most of all, the belief level of the fans is way too low.
I remember hearing our Sparty brethren in years past when the didn’t have a snowball’s chance in Hades to beat Michigan get on the radio after drinking a pint or two of their favorite libation and state aloud that they believed their team could beat Michigan. You have to hand it to Sparty – even when things are completely lost, they have some spirit.
Where’s the Michigan Spirit?
All I’ve heard this week from Michigan fans is that it will finally be over, it’s just like last year and we aren’t that great of a team. On the Contrary: This team, kiddies, can score points. That part has never, ever been an issue. Granted, most of them come in the first half and the opposing defenses make adjustments and take certain plays away from us, but none the less: Michigan is pretty highly ranked in the Big 10 when it comes to scoring points. Blocked punts? No problem. Catching punts…Well...
It’s that other category – points scored against us? That one is a problem…But I will say this. USC found a way. Purdue – who Michigan played and hung tough with, found a way…
And there are 85 believers not counting coaches who are busting their collective asses this week, doing everything they can to find a way to win this game.
12 point underdogs?
AT HOME? IN A RIVALRY GAME?????
Surely, you jest…No, I am not Jesting! And Don’t Call Me Shirley...
If I had not been a witness to what transpired over the last two years and you brought me into the future from 2007, I would say that you take it all and bet the farm on Michigan to cover at home. And they just might pull off the miracle upset!
Have I lost it?
1993: Michigan, sitting at 6-4, was about as bad as we had been since 1984. OSU came in ranked NUMBER 1 in the country and what did an underachieving group of Wolverines led by Todd Collins, Tryone Wheatley, Derrick Alexander, Jason Irons, Steve Morrison, and Buster Stanley do? Hung 28 points on the Suckeyes and defeated Cooper yet again and the mighty Suckeyes never even scored!
What about 1995: Tshimanga Biakabatuka rushes for 312 yards and the Wolverines defeated a heavily favored OSU team in the Big House.
And what about that OSU 1969 team that came into the Big House as a double digit favorite that was the undisputed National Champion 2 years running and they were upset by an upstart coach and a certain team of underachievers that had been destroyed by that same SUCKEYE squad the previous year by a score of 50-14?
What I am saying is: YOU NEED TO CONCEIVE IT AND BELIEVE!
“What the Mind can Conceive (and Believe), The Mind Can Achieve…And Those Who Stay Will Be CHAMPIONS!”
There are 85 Believers in Ann Arbor going through Thursday pre-game – practice activities this afternoon. There will be blood, sweat and tears from emotions running high.
Where do you stand?
What do you believe?
Can you see it in your mind’s eye?
Forcier playing with precision?
Graham getting to Pryor?
Brown blitzing like a mad man?
Somebody making a huge play on defense?
Huge plays on offense?
Do you see it?
Do you believe?
The MMQ
There was never a moment where Michigan ever had a chance of beating Ohio State today. Even when they were driving hard into Ohio State territory, you never felt they had the confidence to win. Big Balls Rod had a bad game plan, players who were not ready, and really poor adjustments at the half. It's going to take the next Michigan coach at least 4 years to turn the program around. Damn.
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