jerame tuman

Previously: Krushed By Stauskas (Illinois 2014), Introducing #ChaosTeam (Indiana 2009), Revenge is Terrifying (Colorado 1996)

This series: Four Games In September I (Boston College 1991), Four Games In September II (Boston College 1994), Four Games In September III (Boston College 1995)

This game: WolverineHistorian highlights

For the first time heading into a game of this series, Michigan and Boston College both hold onto their head coaches. After both teams turned in disappointing 1995 seasons, they're at least afforded offseasons without coaching turmoil. Naturally, the 1996 game and its aftermath are the messiest of the series.

The Wolverines are ranked eighth in the country after opening the season with wins over Illinois and at #5 Colorado. Boston College is giving Matt Hasselbeck his second start after he came off the bench to lead a comeback win in the opener at Hawaii; 1996 Drew Bledsoe couldn't have saved the Eagles from a 45-7 pasting at the hands of rival Virginia Tech in game two.

Third-year head coach Dan Henning, perhaps in an attempt to keep expectations low for his own sake, doesn't exactly give the home team any bulletin board material (via the Michigan Daily archives):

Let's take a peek ahead and see if this gambit worked:

Well, I'll be damned.

[Hit THE JUMP for fumbles, a biblical downpour, Jarrett MFing Irons, and a gambling scandal.]

Previously: Krushed By Stauskas (Illinois 2014), Introducing #ChaosTeam (Indiana 2009)

Michigan's may be the only fanbase outside the old Big 12 that doesn't need to be reminded Colorado was once a powerhouse. There's no need to rehash the reason why. For the purposes of this post, all you need to know is that Michigan was looking to avenge a loss from 1994. If you need further details, the internet will provide them; don't say I didn't warn you, though.

there's also a full game broadcast, which I used for this post

ABC has the broadcast. Keith Jackson is on the call. He welcomes us to Boulder.

“If you’re gonna sell tickets you’ve gotta give them something to watch. Well, coming up is something to watch.”

We certainly get a sight to behold. Michigan's staff could not be wearing outfits that better pinpoint the era:

Magnificent.

Both head coaches are in their second seasons. While Lloyd Carr has been around the block several times as a Michigan assistant, 35-year-old Rick Neuheisel is a fast-rising star who'd spent one season as the offensive coordinator in Boulder before taking over for Bill McCartney—a Bo Schembechler assistant himself.

As for the football itself: buckle up, this is going to be a wild ride.

[Hit THE JUMP, if you dare.]

But which position he? [Patrick Barron]

Here’s some very important #content for #content week as our focus remains on pushing out two very important projects. MGoBlog photographer Eric Upchurch last night tweeted one of those “make your all-time” lists that generate the same answers (our board is up to that now). I thought I’d up the difficulty/interest by theming them, sort of like how Ace made his all-Beilein teams last year. First: the 5-stars.

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Rule: Has to be over 4.5 stars on my database and a five-star to someone.

Cut-off: Had to commit (or transfer) to Michigan after 1989. If you want all-Bo teams talk to Dr. Sap, and anything earlier go to MVictors, because I’m not old enough to have strong opinions on anyone before the mid-1990s. Also my recruiting database only goes back to 1990 (yes, millennials, crootin existed before the Rivals database).

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Quarterback: Chad Henne

No this entire post won’t be me posting gifs and slapping some words on it; I just wanted to try it once.

Four-year starter, his healthy junior season was the best by a Michigan quarterback under Lloyd Carr despite being up against a parade of NFL draft picks. Drew Henson at his best was the best, but as the owner of a Henson jersey I can vouch it was Henne who really rescued the value of that purchase.

Speaking of that parade, partly because the position gets ranked higher, Michigan has brought in a LOT of five-star quarterbacks. Brandon Peters didn’t get anyone’s 5th star but was a 4.60 for reference.

Other candidates: Shea Patterson, Shane Morris, Devin Gardner, Ryan Mallett, Clayton Richard, Matt Gutierrez, Drew Henson, Jason Kapsner

Running Back: Tyrone Wheatley, Anthony Thomas

The first time I learned that Michigan had to convince high-schoolers to play for them—rather than, I dunno, springing from midfield or something—was a Free Press article about Wheatley being the most perfect human-football specimen ever produced in the state. Wheatley is the but… response to “are our 5-star running backs cursed?” You youngsters probably don’t know what it feels like to have this massive pair of shoulder pads gliding away from smurfs (and Nits). To this day his signature shoulder-dip is my go-to move when trying to dodge a person in an enclosed space.

If you do have a frame of reference, it’s probably because A-Train was a near carbon copy of #6. Thomas didn’t have much of a pro career but he was a great college player, fast enough to return kicks and one of the best pass blocking RBs of the modern era. And he always. Fell. Forward.

Other candidates: Kareem Walker, Ty Isaac, Derrick Green, Kevin Grady, Kelly Baraka, Justin Fargas, (okay okay we’re cursed!), Ricky Powers.

[After the JUMP: This all could have been (was) a Tweet. Happy June]