Michigan is playing a new brand of football – and this new brand is pure entertainment. A lot of this recent emotion coming out of Michigan fans can be attributed to the ridiculously likable Tate Forcier – but it’s more than that. Not only is this new brand of football actually exciting as hell to watch – it’s timing is impeccable and it succeeds an approach that’s essentially opposite in many ways.

Most Michigan fans are used to a team that might be considered “overrated” – for obvious reasons – not living up to expectations. Expectations are really something aren’t they? A team that enters the season with a top ten ranking that starts out on fire and then goes out and loses to Oregon. Or a team that starts out 5 and 0 and loses to Northwestern. NOT this team – this team is underrated. A team that was given zero credit because they didn’t deserve any credit. A team with a head coach that was tearing up on a nationally televised press conference defending the integrity of his program – on game week. A team that went 3 and 9 a year ago. A team with a fan base that riddled Rich Rodriguez with criticism for implementing an offensive scheme that doesn’t align with the player personnel. This is a team that has put all of that aside in 2009 and this is fun.

From the Det. News

What timing. Rich Rod, his staff, the Michigan players, the Michigan program, the University of Michigan, the Michigan alumni, the Michigan fan base, the Big Ten conference – all need a boost, need some help. Desperation was setting in – didn’t you hear the analysts and dumbass Ohio State fans chiding Michigan because a MAC opponent, season-opening game turned into a must-win for the most winningest program in the history of college football? I sure did. That was two weeks ago. Now, every major media outlet wants to know what emotions Rich Rodriguez is feeling now and how his team, university and fan base are responding to the success. Keep in mind – it’s been two games- but hey this is some serious fun.

Two games – why the hell does two games matter to such a proud program? Tradition, tradition, tradition – change, change, change – tradition, tradition, tradition. They don’t mesh well. A crystal clean program, rock-solid coaching personalities, three yards and a cloud of dust, 350 pound linemen, pro-style offense, Appy State, Toledo, Ohio State, stale play, Michigan Stadium, music during games, it goes on and on. Essentially, the entire program has undertaken a massive face lift over the past two years. And now a 19 year old kid that shows every quality you want in a young quarterback – is making all this change feel a little better. People need to understand that there’s one guy behind what happens in that locker room and on that field. Rich Rodriguez is a good coach, and his players love playing for him. Yes, there have been missteps and there is the NCAA investigation – but you can’t tell me that you don’t like RR’s approach. He wears his emotions on his sleeve. He believes in his philosophies and what his coaching staff is doing. Afterall, this is the guy that pioneered the spread offense. This is fun. It’s fun watching Tate Forcier bust a 30+ yarder on 4th down against a hated rival in Notre Dame – I was having a tough time remembering Chad Henne or John Navarre threatening defenses with their legs. I’m tellin’ you, this is change, but this is fun.

From the Det. News

I was there this past Saturday. This is a program that is so thirsty for something new, something fun and exciting. The energy in that stadium is unbelievable and it’s been pent up, held back, for years. The product on the field is going to make all of these changes for those that don’t welcome it – a bit easier. If you don’t like the music, I say to you – deal with it. It gets the crowd going, makes the crowd louder, and a louder crowd works with our D and against the opponents offense. It’s exciting football and it’s Michigan’s new brand – and it’s a damn good time right now.

1. EVERY game matters. You simply cannot afford to lose a single game or else your national championship hopes take a serious hit. I’ve seen plenty of playoff bound NFL teams sleepwalk through games. You simply will not see this type of play in the college ranks. The NBA, please, unless you are loyal to a specific team it’s almost not worth watching until the playoffs start.
2. The rivalries. You can’t tell there are more rivalries in any other sport besides college football. Let’s face it – Michigan and Ohio State might be the best rivalry that exists in all of sports. For every loss that takes place, in the back of the losing team’s mind, they know that they have to wait for an entire year to avenge that loss. And it stings, pisses people off, you’re walking down your street naked after losing a bet, fights break out, friends become enemies, and it goes on and on and on – for 365 days until it’s time to suit up for the next game in the series.
3. The emotion. Walk a college campus the week before a huge game. It’s what everybody is talking about. There is a certain tension in the air – as each fan knows they are about to pour so much of their own energy into Saturday’s festivities.
4. The rankings. Let’s face it. When your team is returning 17 starters and last year you finished up at 10-2 coming off a big bowl win – you are scouring the internet in early April for some obscure preseason rankings just to find out what website or magazine has your squad ranked the highest.
5. The tradition. Tradition is littered across the college football landscape. It loiters on the street corners, in pre-game festivities, in half-time marching band performances, in post-game rituals, each big rivalry game brings countless traditions.
6. The loyalty. Loyalty to a certain team may run for generations in a family. I will forever have a place in my heart for the University of Dayton – where I spent 4 great years of my life. Whether you move far far away or stay in your hometown – you have deep-rooted passion and care for your team. Absolute loyalty to your Alma Matter or that team that your family has rooted on for generations is not subject to change and becomes a part of your lifestyle every fall.
7. Money money money! Not here! No 23 year old millionaires with bling bling on these teams. These players aren’t making a dime out there. So it’s only natural for us fans to have more of an emotional connection with these youngsters laying it on the line each week for the love of the sport and their school.
8. The college atmosphere. It’s freakin’ outstanding. Let’s do some quick phrase association – crisp fall Saturday:college football; tailgating on campus:college football; over 110,000 fans:Michigan Stadium; marching band traditions:college football. This could go on for hours – I’ll spare you.
9. The stadiums. Think about all the great NFL stadiums out there – Yeah a bit difficult because there are very few! The Big House, The Horseshoe, Touchdown Jesus, The Swamp, Death Valley, Beaver Stadium at Happy Valley, Rocky Top, The Rose Bowl, The Orange Bowl, etc.
10. More games. This is simple math. There are 32 NFL teams. When you count all NCAA divisions there are almost 1,000 teams!


Wolverine!

11. Live mascots. Unfortunately, Michigan doesn’t boast a live wolverine on gameday. However, back in 1927 Fielding Yost had brought in 10 wolverines from Alaska and would bring out two of them in cages on big gamedays. Apparently, the animals grew larger and more ferocious, and as Yost states, “It was obvious that the Michigan mascots had designs on the Michigan men toting them, and those designs were by no means friendly.” Therefore, the practice of bringing wolverines into the stadium had to be discontinued after only one year. The practice continues on for many schools around the country – some notable gameday mascots are Uga – the Georgia Bulldog; Ralphie – the Colorado Buffalo; Bevo – the Texas Longhorn; Tiger – Auburn’s golden eagle; and lastly the buckeye – it’s a scary nut Ohio State fans wear around their neck that imposes fear at anyone who makes eye-contact with the ferocious nut. I hear that if you see a stray buckeye lying there on the ground – the safest thing to do is run in the opposite direction screaming obscenities.
12. More creativity. When is the last time a Hook and Ladder play won a game in the NFL? I know it’s not a weekly occurrence in the college ranks, but you get the plethora of offensive and defensive play calling in college. Coaches have more room to experiment with their athletes and their playbook.
13. Walk-ons. One of the best stories of the 2008 college football season was when Matt Williams, an average college student, came out of the stands during halftime and put home a 30 yard field goal in a kicking contest. In desperate need of a kicker, the Texas Tech coaching staff set their eyes on the halftime star. Matt Williams ended up kicking nine extra points in his debut.
14. Game Trophies. The Little Brown Jug – Michigan vs. Minnesota; The Paul Bunyan Axe – Michigan vs. Michigan State; are two to name a few. Teams all over college football each Saturday often play for a trophy that oozes tradition in that particular series. Here are a few more noteworthy trophies – The Golden Boot – Arkansas vs. LSU; the Peace Pipe – Toledo vs. Bowling Green; the Old Oaken Bucket – Indiana vs. Purdue.
15. More affordable and accessible. I live in Dayton, OH and I am in one of the better locations relative to NFL teams as I have the Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Detroit Lions all in under about 4 hours of driving distance. That’s when I’m in the mood to fork out $75 for a ticket and $8 for a beer. Now, living in Dayton, OH – on any given Saturday I could spend less than $40 and go to any of these campuses: Michigan, Michigan State, Cincinnati, Indiana, any one of ten MAC teams, Notre Dame, Purdue, Louisville, Kentucky, Penn State, etc. I could make that list rather lengthy if I continued. The point is, there is an abundance of college football at my fingertips for less dollar than that of the NFL.
16. For argument’s sake! Everything about the infrastructure of college football sets up a season full of justifying your team’s record, ranking, or bowl matchup. Heck, even coaches are found at the end of the season lobbying and stating their case for their team’s right to play for a national championship. This is not found in any other sport! Many people hate this part of college football and feel their should be a playoff – and I think there are pros and cons to the existing solution and any alternative. So, as most of us have no control over the situation, we might as well join in on the fun and start arguing! What it also does, it maintains the relevance of the college football season in December when teams are preparing for their bowl games.
17. The Heisman Trophy. Perhaps the most revered award in all of sports. Each year, the best player in the game gets this award – there is no money involved, no free cars, nothing but a name etched in history.

This list may very well grow. I invite you to comment and tell me what you think needs to be added! Can’t wait for the 2009 season to kick-off!

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