I'm at the tail end of a great week.  My wife is pregnant with our first child and I'm on vacation visiting business schools.  Obviously, Michigan's Ross is my first choice.  It's a great school, the new building is fantastic (check it out if you haven't been), and its got a unique program that matches perfectly with my desired career path.  I just hit "send" on the application and feel great about my chances.

Unfortunately, that's the problem.  Despite every piece of positive news, I've got a very specific, overwhelming concern--will Obi Ezeh and Jonas Mouton be serviceable Big 10 linebacker this season?  Add to that concerns about running backs, Mike Martin going pro after the season, and the shocking lack of depth in the secondary, and I'm legitimately worried.  I spend my days concocting reasons why UMass's success shouldn't be a concern and why our defense can succeed in the Big 10.  

Let's add another layer.  I don't know a person dedicated or knowledgeable enough with which to watch a game.  Everyone knows Denard Robinson is awesome at this point, but how many can appreciate Omameh destroying Te'o on the long touchdown against Notre Dame?  This isn't an insult to others, but an indictment of my personality.

Brian had the long-standing email asking why he was a fan and why football was important.  I'm starting to ask myself the same question.  Last Saturday, I sat in my house screaming at the TV while the defense struggled.  As my wife aptly points out, I don't take the same joy in watching the offense perform in a way I may never see again as a Michigan fan.  

I always wanted someone like Donovan McNabb to wear the Maize and Blue.  Now that a better player with better coaching (I really believe this) is running around making defenses look stupid, I take little joy in their successes.  I almost broke my laptop when Rudolph scored his touchdown.  When Michigan took the lead and eventually sealed the victory on Crist's throw out of the end zone, I was mildly satisfied.  

My question to you, the fan, follows: why is football important to you?  Why do you love Michigan football to the point of losing your temper, screaming at the TV, and investing your emotional happiness in 20-somethings you'll likely never meet?  

I can't answer my question right now.  I love Michigan football simply because I love Michigan football.  "Why" is completely absent from the equation.  I've got a love of my home state that somehow overrides enormous parts of my logical person and manifests itself in an intense desire to see the Wolverine's football team succeed.  Is it guilt at leaving while the state struggles? Why do I care?  Why do you?  I think this exercise may help those of us that are struggling as the program completes (hopefully) its growing pains and become the ninja football machine we hope for late at night.