May 19, 2005: Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
After Michigan's loss to Notre Dame in the second game of the year, I guaranteed that we would lose three games this season, with a strong probability that we would lose four. Losing four games is now impossible; Michigan only has two games left, next Saturday's clash against Ohio State and a bowl game, in all likelihood to be played on January 1, 2005. It seems terribly unlikely that we will lose both of those last two games. My pessimism after the terrible Notre Dame game was partially borne out of despair and panic, I am man enough to admit that. But in my defense, it was also based on a cold analysis of the season ahead.

The guaranteed two and predicted three loses were to be in games against Iowa, Purdue, and Ohio State. For reasons that are not fully understood, for we always seemed to be the superior team, Iowa has had our number the last few years. They have seemed to have the game of their season against us, to our detriment. Not unreasonably, I feared this sorry tradition might continue (as it happened, the Wolverines defeated the Hawkeyes 30-17). At one point in the season, before an unimaginable four-game losing streak (Losing Streak?), Purdue was No. 5 in the nation. I feared that against Purdue we would find oursleves in a shootout, and might not be able to keep pace with their once-high powered offense (as it happened, the Wolverines defeated the Boilermakers 16-14). The Wolverines and the hated Buckeyes have not yet met, but going into the game, I am optimistic. At the beginning of the year, Ohio State appeared much more formidable than at present. Jim Tressel's team have always played smothering offense coupled with anemic offense. Odd as it may sound, they have had success with that forumla and I saw no fundamental reson why this bewildering strategy would not succeed once again. It may very well yet prevail, but I for one believe there will be no joy in Muddville next weeknd, not the Buckeys will strike out.

Additionally, I did not believe that Chad Henne would improve as dramatically as he has. He is nineteen years old, a true freshman, yet he is playing with more poise than John Navarre displayed in his entire misbegotten career. David Underwood might be a really good guy, just an incredible human being, but he isn't a very good football player. He wasn't when he was backing up Chris Perry, and he wasn't in the starting roll this year. And if you say that you knew all along Michael Hart would prove be to as good as he has, you are a damned liar (with the possible exception of Reed, you lives relatively near Hart's high school). So, with a combination of uncertain talent for Michigan, and should-have-been-good teams for our opposition, I was not entirely out of line when I predicted a difficult season for my beloved Wolverines. Fortunately, they and their opponents have proven me wrong, and whether we go to the Rose Bowl is solely in our hands.

Go Honolulu Blue!
The worst thing about the way we are playing is not that we're losing games, but that we seem to be getting fundamentally worse with each game. I hope against hope we're just getting off to a slow start; as I type this, there are still 3:00 minutes left in the first quarter and the Jaguars are leading the Lions 7-0.