Last Week at The Wolverine Den
Tailgate Attendance: 26
Michigan State 28 - Michigan 14
Spartan Stadium
October 15, 2011 - 12 noon
Game Summary
It’s not time to jump and it’s not the end of the season. Yes, this was the 4th straight loss to the Spartans. Yes, Lloyd, Mo and Bo all lost in their first season against Michigan State – as did RichRod and Bump Elliott. In fact the last first year coach at Michigan to beat the Spartans was Bennie Oosterbaan in 1948. Yes, the Spartan defensive line dominated the game with 7 sacks, and yes, the team with the most rushing yards won the game for the 40th time in the last 43 meetings between the in-state rivals (Michigan won 30 of those 43 games). Yes, over the past three years, Michigan has finished the final eight games of the season 1-7, 1-7 and 2-6. But this year is different.
It is not the end of the season. The bye week comes at the perfect time for the Wolverines – a time to heal the physical injuries of the season and the mental injuries of this past game. The coaches and the seniors will get this team back on track.
The Spartan mantra was to overcome the stigma of being the “little brother.” Thirteen penalties, six personal fouls, the unsportsmanlike taunting during and after the game indicates they may be having problems coping with their own success. As D’Antonio stated back in 2007 (after Michigan had won the rivalry game for the 6th straight time), “they need to check themselves” and “pride comes before the fall.” He would be well advised to heed his own advice.
The Wolverine Den Trivia
Q: Brady Hoke has started his first season as the Mihcigan head coach with a 6-0 record. Who were the only other Michigan coaches to start 6-0 in their first season at Michigan?
A: Since the 1901 season, both Fielding H. Yost in 1901 and Bennie Oosterbaan in 1948 started the season 6-0. Both went undefeated and won the National Championship in their first year as the Michigan coach.
Steve's Prediction
27-21
Tim's Prediction
28-21
Craig's Prediction
42-40 (OT)