Wolf Blitzed

As for Michigan, the season's first loss will probably relegate their great season to the Rose Bowl (just?), but I really thought they'd win after Schembechler died. After I heard that the former Michigan coach postponed a doctor's appointment to give a speech to the team the day before his death, the timeline read as if he gave his life for the team. (And, when you think about his legacy with Michigan, he sort of did). It would have made a hell of a legacy. But that's why sports are unscripted, and Michigan simply couldn't contain the antagonist, Troy Smith.

Now there's still an entire season between Saturday and next year's rematch in Ann Arbor, but Chad Henne and Mike Hart will both be seniors for that game. If they cannot win in 2007, expect Lloyd Carr to complain to the refs when the Michigan athletic department fires him, Joe Cooper style.

And speaking of Henne, he played pretty well on Saturday, but like many Wolverine fans will tell you, the Michigan faithful doesn't exactly warm up to their quarterbacks until after they graduate. Henne, with all that talent, is now 0-3 against Ohio State, and certainly not the most popular man in Washtenaw County. DOESN'T HE HAVE ANY PRIDE?

What's a Name, Really?

So add November 17, 2006 to the pile of classic Ohio State-Michigan games. The rivalry is just so cool to watch as a neutral observer (living right on the Michigan-Ohio border sorta helps), but also cool because the rivalry lacks a gimmicky title - and doesn't need it. No Iron Bowl, Red River Shootout, or World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party. Nor does it have a trademark trophy like the Apple Cup, Paul Bunyan's Ax, or the Beehive Boot. The rivalry simply has two amazing football teams and over a century's worth of lore.

Hmm. Maybe they should rematch for the championship.