THIS TIME

Supporting Michigan Football, Team 144 & Their Pursuit of the National Championship
 

December 31, 2022: 

We had everything planned to attend the 2023 CFP National Championship Game at SoFi Stadium in LA - myself, my wife Amy and my father, Bill. We'd secured tickets through UM Athletics, thanks to Bill's season ticket holder status and a little ticket lottery luck. All our accommodations were set. On New Year's Eve morning, with kids in tow, Amy and I drove from Ann Arbor to Chicago so that we could watch the semifinal game with Bill and the rest of my family at my childhood home. Everything seemed to be coming together. It was our time.

Maize and blue runs deep in our family. Amy and I met at UM as college students back in the early 2000s. We got married in AA a few years later and eventually put down roots there to start our family. Bill graduated from the B-school back in '70 and has been a football season ticket holder for over 40 years. I was 6 months old when I attended my first game at Michigan Stadium. As that story goes, on a hot September Saturday in 1982, a “bundled baby got redder and redder, until he was cooked just right” - a Michigan fan ever since. Fifteen years later, I was a highschool sophomore in '97, the last time Michigan Football won the National Championship. Too preoccupied with teenager life to appreciate it then, this time would be different.

Needless to say, we were all amped for that 2022 semifinal game. Our bags were packed. All The Team had to do was win. And then TCU happened. Pick six. Fumble. Pick six. Season over. Plans ruined. Total let down. I felt completely deflated. Collectively, we had a golden opportunity in our grasp, only to watch JJ and The Team literally throw it away. A week later, still distraught, I didn't even watch the National Championship game.

By the middle of January, wounds still healing, we started thinking about the next season and Team 144. JJ said they'd be back and I wanted to believe him. The third time could be the charm. Team 144 would be hungry, driven to redeem themselves and finish what they started together back in '21. Where is the 2024 CFP National Championship Game? Houston. Ok, that's doable. It's not southern California, but still warmer than Michigan in January. One can hope. Let's keep it in mind as the season gets underway. 

August: The Plan 

Summer's coming to an end and I'm itching for the start of the next season: Michigan Football season. After following The Team's progress throughout the summer, I'm now confident: this is the year. Amy and I start looking at January house rentals in Houston. We find a great place with something for everyone: outdoor pool, basketball hoop, billiards table, patio, arcade games, plenty of space. I check with Bill, who's 75, has bad knees and hasn't made it to a game at the Big House in a few years. These days he's often giving his tickets away to family or selling them. Just maybe he'll go for the Houston idea, since we were on the verge of going to California just over half a year earlier. Maybe, this time would be different. 

Without hesitation, Bill is ALL IN. He's psyched. My mother, Sue and brother, Ryan are coming too. Amy and I book the place. Book the flights. We tell ourselves that we'll enjoy the holiday break getaway in Houston with family, whether Michigan's playing or not. This would become my mantra throughout the season, an attempt to channel my inner JJ McCarthy, ground and convince myself that win or lose, it will be ok and we will enjoy our time in Texas, maybe.

September: The Domination

The season starts out as expected, even with Harbaugh suspended for the first 3 games, as Michigan pummels lesser opponents en route to easy victories. We half watch the TV, as you might with preseason, exhibition games. It's nice to have on in the background while summer winds down over Labor Day weekend, with the start of school and casual get-togethers to celebrate kids' fall birthdays. All the while, when others engage in small talk about The Team, I try to curb my enthusiasm, not mentioning the Houston plans, for fear of jinxing it, coming off as cocky, crazy, or both. 4-0.

October: The Scandal

The calendar rolls over and The Team starts rolling through the B1G. We watch as The Team “cooks just right” in a Nebraska heatwave, then drops 52 on Minnesota, before returning home to do the same to Indiana. Next up: in-state rivalry week. I can't wait to watch The Team manhandle the Spartans. There's no doubt and there will be no mercy. And then the unthinkable - the “Sign Gate” scandal hits. What is this nonsense? Who the hell is Connor Stalions? How will The Team react? M 49, msu 0. Yes, msu was already deep in their own Sparty brand of turmoil, but it always feels great to beat the hell out of your in-state rival.

Rumors and speculation, and stories about rumors and speculation, continue to swirl like the Wizard of Oz twister. I dress up as Connor Stalions at work on Halloween, complete with “Michigan Manifesto,” headset to nobody, binoculars, iPhone camera and crusty M hat. The Stalions CMU allegations start flying that day too - complete with pictures - sunglasses at night. Welp, his career is over-over and now I just feel bad for him. So, I change up my costume for trick or treating with the kids. I don't need to kick the guy who's already down and now, all the way out. “Vast Network” feels a little more appropriate, all things considered. 8-0.

November: That Gauntlet

The bye week feels like forever as rumors and reports reach a fever pitch. Can we just get back to playing football? I head to the purdon't game with our college buddy, great friend and crazed M fan, Scott. My first in-person game of the season, I'm hoping we win 1 million to zero to quiet some of the media frenzied noise. The Team looks a little rusty after the week off, but takes care of business. Final preseason game: M 41, purdue 13. Ok, that's done. Let's play some meaningful football. 

The first true test: penn state. Even before the scandal, everything pointed to this game. First ranked foe of the season. Time for The Team to finally show college football they are That Team. Then, the unthinkable and unprecedented: Harbaugh is served a second suspension, while en route to Happy Valley, less than 24 hours before kickoff. Wow, that's low, B1G. 

I'm in complete disbelief. The Team might not even get a chance to prove their true moxy. Nevermind. Interim Head Coach Sherrone Moore's got this and That Team is ready for that stage. Amy and I cheer and scream and coach the TV screen from home on nearly every play. Take that, B1G. Take that, haters. Michigan 24, penn state 15. We too have tears in our eyes afterward as Sherrone and Blake give passionate post-game interviews on the field. Tears of pride, anger, unity, determination. I firmly believe. Texas or bust. We.Are.That.Team.

One more obstacle before The Game: Maryland. On a whim, and with the promise of unseasonably warm November weather, we decide to make a family road trip to see Michigan go for program win 1,000 against the Terps. It's a sunny, warm and windy day in College Park. Their stadium gives me some serious Northwestern vibes. And I've seen Michigan lose at N'Western, multiple times and in devastating fashion. With our three boys alongside, we should make it through half-time, at least, hoping for M dominance early and often. Early, yes. Often, no. Maryland puts up a good fight. And we manage to make it through the whole game while That Team and That Defense does enough to get That W: 1,000. Michigan 31, maryland 24. Michigan fans outnumber Maryland in the stands and later on the field. Right after the game, an announcement is made about Maryland fan photo ops on the field. Then, the announcer immediately follows that up by asking Michigan fans to please leave the field. Yes, that’s our cherry on top. 

Thanksgiving Week. The Game. The Anticipation. The Hype. Michigan vs. Everybody. This is it. The Game to end all Games. It's all I can think about. I text Scott, Bill and other M fans constantly throughout the week about Game day planning, strategy, and the overwhelming hype, mainly as an outlet for my increasing anxiety and excitement. Scott and his dad (affectionately known as Cap'n Ron), Bill, Sue and Ryan all make the trip to AA for it. Bill attends his first osu game in a decade, a precursor and physical prep for a hopeful National Championship trek. He believes too. And we all know how this one plays out. Zak Zinter goes down. The crowd rises up. Blake Corum scores. Rod Moore intercepts and calls “Game!” From our seats in the northeast corner, it sure looks like a clean pick to me and Amy. And once it's confirmed, The Celebration is on! Michigan 30, osu 24. 

The field is flooded with M fans, same as in '21, but this time around, with a feeling of determination instead of relief. After many post-Game cheers at the golf course tailgate, we eventually make it back home to immediately watch the TV broadcast. The confirmation of the Rod Moore interception brings me the most joy in that moment. And in every rewatch since. Tears well up again, this time with Bill too. We are lucky enough to have experienced, in-person, the biggest Game there will likely ever be in the rivalry. Over 40 years since that first game, when I got "cooked." Regular season complete, 12-0. Houston dreams alive and well.

December: That Wait

The B1G Championship is just a matter of how much we're going to win by, right? Yep, Michigan 26, iowa 0. B1G Champs. Three-Peat. Here we come, CFP! Swept up in the excitement of it all, Amy and I decide to add a Pasadena detour to the Houston family trip. We book everything in. Season ticket holder Bill throws his name in the UM Athletics ticket lottery hat for the Rose Bowl. We find out a few days later, he didn't get them. Dammit. Demand was sky high to see M take on 'bama in the Granddaddy of Them All. Dammit. What now? Let's go out there anyway. Scott and Cap'n are going. We can hang out with them and support from the golf course, watch at a local sports bar and enjoy some California sunshine for a few days. 

Prior to CA, we find out that we ARE eligible to get CFP National Championship tickets again. Lucky for us, the demand for those tickets isn't as high as the Rose Bowl among M fans. Maybe because it's on a Monday night? After the holiday break? Or the uncertainty of M needing to win the Rose Bowl first? Whatever the case, thank gawd, because prices on the secondary market are already outrageous ($1800+) and likely going to get worse, especially if Texas beats Washington. So, one year later, after all that, we're back in the same boat and familiar waters. 13-0, with California (and Texas) travel plans in place. It's time. Let the trip begin.

January: That End

On our way to the airport, I'm again trying to convince myself that this family trip will be fun no matter what. Think it into truth. What did George Costanza say? “It's not a lie, if you believe it.” Another year of New Year's Eve travel. We fly out of DTW, landing as the clock strikes midnight out west, in enough time to celebrate the New Year by picking up our rental car and hitting the road towards Pasadena. Here we come, 2024! We make it to the Rose Bowl golf course a few hours pre-game to tailgate with Scott and Cap'n Ron, who are attending the game. Beautiful Rose Bowl weather - sunny and 65 at 10:30am. Mountains and historic stadium in the background, this golf course feels like outside the Big House in September, about a 75/25 split in Michigan's favor. We party it up while the kids throw the football around for a couple hours. It's perfect. We talk strategy and high hopes That Team is ready this time. About an hour before the game, we manage to make it out of the golf course, salmon swimming upstream, and to an LA sports bar. The kids have food, screens and chargers. I'm an edgy, nervous wreck, but there's nothing more I can do than find a good vantage point to watch without screaming in anyone's face. It's time. Let the game begin. 

As with several games this season, it starts out poorly. Even through multiple rewatches, I still can't believe JJ's first throw. The muffed punt. The extra point. The missed field goal. The second muffed punt. Total special teams meltdown. Holy cow. Amy and I look at each other in disbelief. Is this TCU all over again? But, maybe not, as That Defense remains consistent and keeps the game within reach. As the California sun sets and that dim bar lighting takes effect, time is running out. 4th quarter, 4:41 left. Then: That Drive. 4th and 2 conversion by Blake. JJ first down run. Tipped pass, Roman catch and out of bounds at the 5. Roman TD to tie the game. Blake bowling over everyone in OT for the go-ahead touchdown.

Amy and I are coaching, nudging each other, again yelling at the TV, and pleading with That Defense to once again save the day. 'Bama first and goal - rush for no gain. Second down - Mason Graham bulldozer tackle for loss. Third down - pass complete, 'bama WR awkwardly twisted down at the 3 yard line. Injury timeout. 4th and goal. Michigan timeout. 'Bama timeout. Amy and I can't take it anymore as we pace around the bar. No more timeouts left, this is it. Here we go, bracing ourselves in a linebacker ready stance, like we're going to make this play. Low snap, 'bama quarterback dives towards the end zone. He's well short and emphatically flattened. Game. Over. Pandamonium in Pasadena. That Team rushes the field, sprinting and screaming in every direction, embracing each other: Victors Valiant. We scream out with joy and pride too, running around the bar, high fiving every Michigan fan in the place. Did that just happen? Every focus of Team 144 over the last 365 days has led to THIS moment. Blake Corum lets everyone know: “See you in Houston!” Rose Bowl Champions. Michigan 27, 'bama 20.

Scott and Cap meet us back at our LA rental and we collectively relive our experiences, from the stadium to the bar, rewatching the game immediately. This win feels like the breakthrough moment, the pinnacle of a truly unbelievable season. To defeat 'bama, Nick Saban and the program that has won the most CFP National Championships - not sure it gets better than this. California feels glorious for the next three days. Everything is right with the world. I run the neighborhood streets of LA three mornings in a row, decked head to toe in maize and blue, listening to my season anthem on repeat and there's only just enough gravity to keep me from floating away. 2024, off to a magical start and savoring every moment of it. This is what we missed last year. But, still, one more to go. Business isn't finished. 14-0, Houston dreams have become reality.

We make our way to Texas and settle into our Houston Big House. My parents and brother arrive and we reminisce about the Rose Bowl victory, rewatching the whole game (again), analyzing and cheering in prep for Monday night. Landing a day later and full of spirit, Scott and Cap join us too! On Sunday, we all check out the CFP fan fest, see Michigan board the team buses and leave for their final team walk through before the National Championship. Thumbs up and smiles from Coach Harbaugh. Ready to win, as Ted Lasso might say, “the whole damn thing.” That night, Ryan, Scott and I do 'Victory Cannonballs' into a pool that feels like the Polar Plunge, in the name of winning it all. We stay up too late. But, who cares, the next day is the National F-ing Championship and this time, everything's going to plan.

Championship morning comes and I go for a run in a warm Houston rain, knowing that I'm going to be an anxious mess all the way up to kickoff. Scott and Cap grill up a pregame tailgate feast for everyone at the Houston House and we all try to enjoy ourselves for a few hours during a day that we can't wait to turn into night. 

Eventually, enough time passes for us to finally make our way to NRG Stadium. As we park, black storm clouds start rolling in, the winds pick up and it feels about 30 degrees cooler in 30 seconds. Storm before the calm? We book it to the stadium as fast as Bill's now 76 year old knees will allow. Like all the Wolverine faithful, he is on his game today and we only get a little wet. Thanks, pocket ponchos - not our first rodeo. As we make our way to the Michigan side of the stadium, our fans are as hyped as we've ever seen - cheers and chants breaking out constantly, as if we'd already won. And maybe we had. The Rose Bowl felt like the true hurdle.

Amy, Bill and I settle into our seats about an hour before kickoff, watch the teams' final on field preparations, starters announced and pregame band shows. With the thunderstorm raging outside, the roof is closed and it's warming up in NRG. Sweating it out as we approach kickoff, I'm channeling John Fogerty, “Put me in, Coach! I'm ready to play!” Nervousness, anticipation, and exhilaration all flow freely. We are ready to make history. Almost game time. 

A Houston space launch hype video countdown keeps everyone on their feet after the Star Spangled Banner, roaring to kickoff. Michigan gets the ball first. And this time, everything goes to plan. No early game struggles. No waiting for the team to settle in. Nearly mistake-free football. Michigan marches down the field on their first two drives, scoring on back to back long TD runs from “The Don,” Donovan Edwards. To end the quarter, Blake busts loose for another long run and we can barely contain ourselves. We look at each other, wide-eyed, cheering, laughing, asking, “Is this really happening?!” 

During the second and third quarters, we come back down to Earth, as the competition on the field levels out. When Washington scores a TD just before half to make it a one score game, the tension rises again in the stands. Out on the concourse during the break, a much different tone than pre-game. Anxiety fills the air as fans quietly make their half-time moves. While Bill and I battle a long pit stop line, the second half gets underway, immediately followed by a stadium shaking uproar from our crowd. What happened? Interception? Another M fan, watching on his phone, shows us the replay as All-American cornerback Will Johnson makes a spectacular pick. And just like that, the anxiety lifts after That Defense steps up and Michigan adds to the lead. 

By mid 4th quarter, Washington battles back to make it a one score game again, despite our defense making life miserable for Penix on nearly every throw. The Michigan offense, relatively quiet and conservative since the 1st quarter, re-opens the playbook. JJ slings the pigskin to Colston and Roman, hauling in long catches and darting down the field. Then, Blake the Great weaves through defenders to score and Championship dreams take another step towards reality. 

Time for That Defense to finish the job, one more time. The final nail: Captain Mike Sainristil's interception. We shout with pure joy as he follows a maize and blue convoy down the sideline. Game. Over. Bill, Amy and I embrace in a “Holy crap, this IS happening!” moment. Hugs, high fives and tears all around. More hugs, more high fives, more tears. Sighs of relief, selfies, group photos, videos, all of it. This is real. 

Over my 40 plus years, I've been lucky enough to attend many memorable Michigan Football games, defeats and victories, most thanks to Bill. Elvis Grbac to Desmond Howard for The Catch on 4th and 1 vs Notre Dame. The Kordell Stewart to Michael Westbrook Hail Mary loss to Colorado. Charles Woodson solidifying his Heisman in The Game. Anthony Thomas' fumble at Northwestern. Phil Brabbs' kick to beat WA. The Braylon Edwards’ game vs MSU. USC dominance in the '04 Rose Bowl. App State. Under the Lights vs ND. Program Victory 1,000. The 2021 and 2023 victories in The Game. And now, watching Michigan win the National Championship with my wife and father by my side. 

In all the rest of my Michigan sports fandom, it's hard to imagine anything more meaningful than this. We, together, experienced this season with Team 144. The highs and lows, expected and wildly unpredictable. We witnessed Michigan achieve perfection. Several weeks later, I’m still basking in the glow, floating, framing as many pictures as my walls will hold to immortalize the experience. Still contacting Bill about the trip, looking ahead to next season as Defending National Champions, and referring to each other as “Champ” in most of our conversations. Savoring each moment and enjoying daily as the dream continues to slowly settle into reality. 

Sometimes you plan and prepare and it goes to hell. Sometimes it's “cooked just right.” Michigan 34, Washington 13. The Team, That Team, Our Team: Team 144. 15-0. Perfect Season. Michigan Legends. National Champions.

January 8, 2024: 

Thank you, Michigan Football, for a lifetime of memories, and Team 144, for this time in particular. 

Forever, GO BLUE!