Your team...for better, or for worse
For most cities across the U.S., only the weather can collectively lower, or raise, the spirits of its citizens this time of year.
In Ann Arbor, the weather is an afterthought. These people walk to class in two feet of snow.
In Ann Arbor, football is what matters.
Football sets the mood on campus for much of the week. There are moments during every student’s academic career when one or two Wolverine football games define your stay Michigan. Your friends refer to these games as “THE (fill in Big Ten school) Game.” Sure, Michigan might play a certain school four times in four years, but you know exactly which game that person is referring to because of what took place. It’s an adoption of sorts. By standing out in the lightning, rain, snow, and hail during four consecutive seasons, students take ownership for what transpires on the field. For me, (2005-2008) it was THE Penn State game (Henne to Manningham with 0:00 vs PSU) and THE App State game (the low). For all the students before me in the 2000′s, it was the Triple OT win vs MSU (aka THE Braylon Game).
THE Game, circa 2004
For all the students currently at Michigan, the triple OT win against Illinois will always be “their game.” For kids like my brother (2008-present), they finally got what they dreamed of since they saw their names on an acceptance letter: a defining moment of Wolverine football.
Was it ugly? Yes. Will Michigan have a new defensive coordinator next season? No question (and more on this later in the week). And while most alumni will look down on the current students for celebrating a bowl eligible season, consider this fact: Half of the undergraduate students currently enrolled have seen no more than five victories TOTAL in Big Ten play since they arrived in Ann Arbor. While most people like me were lucky enough to see more than 20 wins overall, this is the only world these students know.
These kids will never see their team play for a spot in the National Championship game like many of us did (vs. OSU in 2006). While they are still enrolled as undergrads, they will never make flight plans to Pasadena for January 1st, or wave roses in celebration after their final game in Michigan Stadium. This is the current reality (for better or worse) of Michigan Football.
So to all the current U of M students: celebrate your bowl eligibility. Buy tickets to your postseason game, and make those hurried travel arrangements while studying for final exams. It might not be a Rose Bowl, but is still your game…just like that Triple OT thriller against Illinois will always be your game.
Whether or not December brings rain or snow is uncertain. At least you know football will be in the forecast.
Tags: Bowl, Eligible, Football, Illinois, Michigan, OT, Triple
