I have been a michigan fan since age 8. I live in Columbus. And oh How I hate the ohio school in columbus. People ask me why the hell I am a  michigan fan living in ohio? Well my dad who is a die hard buckeye and a graduate of the columbus university in which im not fond of loved them. My brother who had a diferent dad who had passed away was not fond of my father. In fact when my father left us broke and homeles at age 5 my brother became the father figure in my life. And guess what? whatever my dad liked, brother didnt, and he definitely loved the fact he could put me in michigan gear and send me to my fathers for the weekend.

The first game i watched was at 8 years old. 1994 kordel to westbrook. INCREDIBLE! Ok well thats not the best way to begin, but it happened. I watched it with my mom on a tv with rabbit ears. It sucked me in even though we lost. I made it through the 8-4 seasons and landed at 1997. This was the year that ruined me, spoiled me, 1997 has and always will be the bechmark in my mind. We are talking Charles woodson, Andre Weathers, Marcus Ray, Glen Steele, Josh Williams, Sam Sword. How about Brian Griese, Tai Streets, A tough Chris Howard and a mammoth o-line. THIS IS MICHIGAN!!!!

Now who watched LSU and alabama??? Ok good! Now did anyone get the vibe that we are headed in the same direction as both those defenses? I watched that game imagining our future. We have a top 5 class coming in. We have Greg mattison and a defensive minded head coach. Will it take 2 or 3 years? Hopefully only 2 but I can live with 3. Those defenses both resemble that of the 97 michigan defense that got after you and hit you in the mouth. I saw 7 to 8 hats on the ball in the LSU- Bama game. I watched relentless speed and power from both teams. But again thats 2 or 3 years from now right? Im tired of dreaming, hoping and wishing. As a fan who cheers his heart out for the Maize and blue I unfortunately can only live in the now knowing tomorrow is not guaranteed. When is ths group of wolverines who have endured the toughest times in michigan football history going to hit their breaking point? This I not a vintage Michigan team. They are trying to adapt to a new staff and scheme. This team may not be big ten title worthy this season but can still achieve something Mike Hart couldnt, Chad Henne, Jake Long, The 3 guys I just named came from a loaded group that was part of the 1st game of the century, You know 2006 pre app state, and those are 3 michigan greats that tried to accomplish victiory against ohio and couldnt.

I dont want to get away from my point and most of What im saying is all over the place. But I believe and this is only my opinion, that a win over the School sittng on the olentagy which plays in the toilet that drains into the olentangy means more for this team, our fans, the university, this coaching staff than anything. A win gives this team the signature victory it needs. You see In 97 nobody seen us coming. This group reminds of those times. Like 97 this is an average group with one great player and guess who that is. A win vs the ohio gordon gee (little sisters of the poor) can catapault an off season of positives for this team. And a win can help us all to dream of what could be, if we can go to dallas in 2012, and do what no one on earth thinks we will do and win it. Yes Bama is already where we wish we could be, as is LSU and thats a whole other level. And if we aspire to get to game of the century type levels we have to prepare over the course of the next 2 weeks for the most important game against ohio. A win gives us great momentum for the off season and what I think can lead to 2012 being as memorable as 1997. GO BLUE!!!! This is Michigan!

 

 

 

 

Strength of schedule

Adding to the challenges facing the 1997 team, Michigan entered the season with the toughest schedule among the 112 NCAA Division I-A schools based on records from the previous year.^[4] Days before the season opener, Lloyd Carr compared the daunting schedule to an expedition to Mount Everest. Carr noted, "It's a little akin to climbing Mount Everest. But Mount Everest has been climbed. And with great preparation and determination, and great attitude, which I think our players have, I can assure you we're looking forward to it."^[4