All the SEC homers need to admit they were wrong. This game should have easily been a blowout. Anyone who says that Big 10 teams cannot run with SEC teams is full of it. Michigan had a monster day against a defense that was supposed to be "Too Fast" for them to handle. If the SEC was soo good, and Florida was supposed to walk all over a Michigan team that people said would not have a .500 season in the SEC, how do they not win when Michigan turns the ball over 4 times.

I'll give Florida props though, they made it a game. Michigan's offense owned the Florida D and should have easily had more then the 41 they laid on them. Florida will truely be a team to watch out for the next couple years with more experience under their belts. Tebow had a good game, and no denying why he won the Heisman. Michigan made his inexperience show though today with monster blitz packages they just could not handle.

As for the people that said Michigan was overrated, this is the team that would have been playing all year had it not been for injuries. While the opening 2 losses were awful, they were starting to turn things arond before the injuries hit. Michigan was not so much overrated as playing down and then losing confidence. Of course, I put my money where my mouth was, and will be cashing in later.

As for the officiating, it was nice for the most part to see them letting the players play the game. There were some ticky tac calls, some no calls, and a lot of emotion out there. In the end, it was nice to see a college game not decided by the officials.

I'm glad Lloyd Carr got the last win, but I'm not sad to see him go either. Honestly it was time for a change. For Rich, I really hope you know what you got yourself into. Michigan fans are unforgiving, ask Lloyd. I really think you bit off more then you can chew. Why do you honestly think Les Miles and Greg Schiano said no to the job. I promise you Michigan fans will not be as forgiving as the Notre Dame fans. A losing season, and bet you'll be walking!

Congrats to the Maize and Blue in a well earned victory. Congrats to Florida for playing a hard fought game. Hopefully the NC game will be as entertaining.

Now that I have had time to #### the Michigan loss to Appalachian State, I have to sit back and wonder what happened…. Or do I?

Let’s start with the coaching staff. Today is the perfect reason why Michigan fans have been asking for the ouster of Lloyd Carr for a few years now. While I could not watch the game, I did get to listen. And listen I did. Carr did NOT plan for this game. This was definitely apparent. I could take a long time to explain this, but I have 2 words for Carr: Failed Conversion. I’m sorry, there was plenty of time left in the game. Someone take that damn chart away from him. He obviously cannot read how to use it.

Ron English also deserves some blame here. The first pass to the crease could have been a fluke maybe. The second time it happens, he should have said “Hey, maybe we should stick someone inside and watch that.” The third time was just unforgivable. After the second time they got beat inside the seam, English should have adjusted their scheme. He failed to read this until well into the 3rd quarter. I can’t fault the players on this; the cover schemes they ran were called on the sideline.

 

 

The staff was looking well ahead of this game, by the time they realized it, it was too late.

 

 

Appalachian State came with a game plan, and they should have expected it. Yes, they are an FCS/Div 2-AA school, but that is not an excuse. Championship teams plan EVERY SINGLE GAME!!! Appalachian State proved that today. They ARE a championship team. They are the 2 time defending champions in their division. Carr should have known they’d come with a plan. That is of course if Carr was a championship coach, which by the game today proved he was not. Will this teach Carr a lesson, probably not? Seeing how he cannot seem to understand what a game plan is, I would suggest that the University pack him in before Monday and start looking ahead to next year.

 

 

Now this is not to take anything away from Appalachian State. People may argue with me, but I imagine that they could beat about 75% of FBS/Div 1-A schools. They are a very good team. Regardless of division, they are the 2 time champs. I honestly do not think they should have won this game, but it does not surprise me either. They are a good team and my hats go off to them. Many will say they pulled off the ultimate of David and Goliath, I surmise that people underestimated them. They played flawless football for 3 quarters and managed to hold o####ood Michigan team.

 

 

As for the players, I can only fault them so much. I cannot say they were outplayed. They fought back and fought back hard. Mike Hart, who in my opinion should be a Heisman candidate, carried that team to the come back. He played a great game. This game while a loss, showed the kind of heart and determination he has. While a lot of people will say “Oh big deal, he had a bruise”, if you ever had one and played sports you’d know how hard that is. He sucked it up and almost single handedly pulled them back. I’m sure if he could have gone out there and kicked that field goal, he would have. He gave a lot to this team. For the coaching staff to let him down like that is unjustified. He could not have done more, 23 carries 188 yards and 3 TDs; the coaching staff should be ashamed right now. Truly worthy of Heisman consideration, if it were not for the loss, a loss that should never have happened.

 

 

All in all, there is only so much players can do. With the right coach, this could be a great team. Carr let them down. The University let them down. This is why I am not surprised by the loss. Carr has proven time and again that all he does is choke. The University stood by him knowing full well that he would do it again. They also know that this would be his last year. After all, why restructure a contract for obvious end of year release if you knew he could not win? Why not just fire him? I say it’s time for the University to remedy that mistake and remove him now.

 

 

I really think if they don’t, the rest of this year (what can be salvaged) is over. It will turn into every man for himself. What have they got left to play for now? Sure they could win out, take the Big 10, and maybe a decent bowl game. Nothing BCS at this point unless the other top teams made major mistakes and Michigan blew out every other opponent on the schedule. Certainly no title game. Wouldn’t that be an embarrassment to all of FBS/Div 1-A that the National Champions got beat by a lowly FCS/2-AA school? Or would it actually serve notice that maybe pre-divisions are not the cupcakes everyone thinks they are?

 

 

Honestly, I’m not surprised. I expected it to be a close game. I expected a close game between two championship teams, problem is, only one of the coaches showed up for the game. I’m not really even surprised by that either to be honest. The only thing that shocked me, this has not happened sooner. Teams should be on notice, plan for every game, no matter how cupcake you think it is.

 

 

I know most people will just take this as a rant at Carr, but honestly it is HIS responsibility to make sure his team is prepared. His responsibility to make sure they are not looking past what is a good team in Appalachian State. And certainly his responsibility to PLAN for a game.

 

 

I honestly don’t know what else to say. Michigan does not suck; the players do not suck; however the coach does.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today was the big day. I am sure many people are having several takes on the games today. However the game of the day was #2 Michigan vs. #1 Ohio State. In this writer’s opinion, the game ended with Ohio State still the #1 team and Michigan still the #2 team. This game, no this rivalry, embodied all that is good about college football. The teams respected each other, and each other’s abilities.

 

 

            To the Ohio State Buckeyes:

You played a great game today. You showed the nation why you are the #1 team in the land. You played a hard fought, emotional game against a bitter rival. You deserve your victory and your trip to Glendale this year. You should be proud of your accomplishment this year, your Big Ten title, and your victory over a great Michigan team. You showed respect to a Michigan team feeling the loss of a beloved coach, mentor, friend, and a legend in college football. To this Michigan fan, you are more then just another opponent and rival. You are a true testament to what is great about this rivalry and about, Respect, honor, and integrity. Even though my beloved Wolverines lost this game, it could not have been to a better opponent.

 

 

           

            To the Michigan Wolverines:

You played a great game today. You never gave up in the face of adversity or backed down from the challenge. You are true champions. Even with the loss, you honored the memory of Bo Shembechler. You stayed with it. You ARE champions. You too played an emotional game today. The losses felt by us all were enormous. College football may have lost a great man, but you proved to the nation that his spirit lives, and will continue to live in all of the future generations that attend and play at the University of Michigan. There is no shame in your loss today. What you did today will live on in the memories of all Michigan fans. Most of all though, you made Bo Shembechler a proud man. Even he knows you can’t win them all.

 

 

 

 

            I don’t want to hear Michigan fans (or Ohio State fans) complaining that there were bad calls on the field. I watched the game. There were not any such bad calls. Yes, the field conditions were bad, but that’s part of the game. There are no excuses for what happened. It was a great game. What happened happened…end of story. Good teams overcome adversity and all odds to win. In the end, that did not happen for us. That is the way it happens sometimes. Congratulate the Ohio State Buckeyes and move on, there is always next year.

 

 

            Michigan did nothing today to prove to me that they are still not the #2 team in the nation. The championship game should feature the two best teams in college football. The voters have a lot to consider the next few weeks. Even though a lot of people do not want a rematch, the game should be the best two teams. Even if it is a rematch, the two best teams DESERVE to play in that game. It should not be about money. It should not be about this, that, or the other. It should be about who is the best two teams. After today, I have seen nothing to change my mind that Ohio State and Michigan are STILL the two best teams in college football.

 

 

And on that note, I have one more bit of business to attend to…..how it pains me so…..

 

 

In old Ohio there's a team
That's known throughout the land
Eleven warriors brave and bold,
Whose fame will ever stand.
And when the ball goes over,
Our cheers will reach the sky,
Ohio Field will hear again
The Buckeye Battle Cry!

Drive, Drive on down the field,
Men of the scarlet and gray;
Don't let them through that line,
We've got to win this game today,
COME ON OHIO!
Smash through to victory,
We cheer you as we go!
Our honor defend we will fight to the end
for OHIO!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is one place that Michigan and one Michigan player can turn this game...

Garrett Rivas, that's right. He has been in the pressure situations, made the clutch kicks.

Aaron Pettrey has not had to deal with game winning pressure like that on the road like Rivas. It could be the thing that makes or breaks this game for Michigan...

Sure Mike Hart, Chad Henne, Leon Hall, Mario Manningham, LaMarr Woodley, Steve Breston, Adrion Arrington, Troy Smith, Antonio Pittman, Ted Ginn, or Anthony Gonzales can change this game.

But honestly, it all comes down to special teams I think. And I think Michigan has the upper hand there. If this game is close, Michigan wins...

Seriously...

I grew up in Northern Indiana, been to a few games at Notre Dame vs. Michigan and paid about $300 to $400 for tickets. Granted I know a few people from growing up back there, so I can get a little break on that. Tried this year and it was about $500 to $600.

Now the OSU/Michigan is 10x what that game was. Already tickets have topped $5,000 per ticket. If you look on eBay, they are hovering around $1000 to $2500 for most seats. Some for a bit less, some for alot more.

Me, I would not pay that much. But how many of you would actually shell out that kind of cash to see history? Am I the only person no crazy enough to do it? I mean this is history, but come on. I can't even get tickets thru contacts at Michigan that I know have them. It's sick. Is it really worth it?