The Heavy Chin Feeling Right Before You Throw Up

I was at the Michigan-Oregon game last Saturday. The title of the post says it all. Watching the game was one of the most embarrassing things I’ve ever done. I sat there next to 100,000 other people who all thought the same thing. We were embarrassed to be the people that other people seen on TV at the game. We were embarrassed at each other. I looked at the people around me and could only look down on disgust at these people who looked upon the Maize and Blue with hope; they too looked at me.

The problems with the Michigan team are plentiful. I won’t even start hating on Lloyd Carr either, there is enough of that around already. I will instead focus on the team. The offense looked better than the 7 points they put up. They consistently drove the ball, only to stumble when it counted. I remember at half time looking at the scoreboard, Michigan 7 – Oregon 32. That wasn’t the most striking thing though, also below the score was: Michigan ~200yds – Oregon ~300yds. I’m not sure of the exact numbers, but I do know that we were very close in the total offensive yard category. The problem was that we couldn’t finish when it counted.

Mike Hart looked solid again, just as he did for the other Heavy Chin moment a week prior. The main problem I thought with the offense was inconsistent play-calling. The offense would ride the legs of Mike Hart down the field. Finally, the Duck defense would stop him on first down, leaving a second and short. EVERYTIME, they pass on second and third down. Chad Henne’s inconsistency often led to an incomplete pass on second down, leaving a must-pass situation on third.

Why did the team abandon the run?

Defense…ya know that thing that wins championships. I don’t even fucking know where to start. The line couldn’t pressure Dennis Dixon who looked like he was playing a video game all day long. The linebackers couldn’t tackle a marginal running back, nor could they play zone coverage. The defensive backs might not even have been playing. The Michigan secondary might have been the worst coverage I have ever seen. Dixon threw for three touchdowns of 46, 61, and 85 yds. Are you serious?? You could see the secondary break down moments after the snap.

So what’s in store for the Wolverines? Well next week they take on the Fighting Irish. I think ABC might show the UT vs Kansas game instead. Two of the most storied programs in college football, are now the laughing stock of the AP. Both of these teams are winless, and have lost the edge at home. Ya know, I’m just not sure what else to say about this season. Between Michigan getting humiliated two weeks in a row, and the Rockets in national news for all the wrong reasons, I guess my tailgating this season will be less excitement and more a matter of drowning away my sorrows.