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Sollenberger in Paradise Barry Sollenberger |
Michigan 13, Ohio State 9. Two weeks later, the memory of this incredible upset - one of the greatest in Michigan history - still remains. And no one is likely to forget about it anytime soon.
Who could forget about it?
You could argue that the victory salvaged the Wolverines' season.
You could argue that it made up for bitter defeats. Heck, you could even argue that the stunning upset made up for another Rose-less season.
But if the memory of the upset hasn't dimmed, the euphoria of it has, allowing one to take an objective look at Michigan's season.
How will the Wolverines' season be remembered? As good or bad, or some in between?
In reality, many fans are disappointed with Michigan's 8-3 record. At first glance, they have reason to be.
They watched the Wolverines blow a game at Northwestern. They watched Michigan lose to Purdue, one of the Big Ten's worst teams. And they watched the Wolverines fall apart and lose to Penn State.
With these losses in mind, many fans believe that Michigan has underachieved this season.
But they are wrong.
Two years ago, the Wolverines had Tyrone Wheatley and Tshimanga Biakabutuka in the same backfield and were still out of the Rose Bowl race by Nov. 1.
That Michigan team underachieved. This year's has not.
To put the ball in the end zone, a team needs talent at the offensive skill positions, and Michigan has little of it. In fact, Michigan hasn't had less talent at the skill positions this decade. To put this in perspective, the Wolverines' best offensive player is their cornerback, Charles Woodson.
Then there is the quarterback situation. Or as far as the Wolverines are concerned, the disaster situation.
Scott Dreisbach has not improved much between his freshman and sophomore seasons, and one could argue that he has, indeed, underachieved.
But he really wasn't that good to begin with.
Sure, he led Michigan to a 4-0 start last year before a season-ending injury, but the Wolverines wouldn't have finished 13-0 if he had played the entire year. They probably would have ended up 9-4, like they did with Brian Griese at quarterback.
Then there is the Michigan defense, the team's strength.
It has been ranked among the nation's best in most statistical categories all season. But there's a key word there - among.
Michigan's defense is not ranked near the top nationally in any category. The Wolverines have a good defense, but not a great one. Their defense doesn't compare to, say, Florida State's.
All of this aside, how can the loss to Purdue be explained?
The fact of the matter is that when you're a good but not great team - like Michigan - you beat some teams you shouldn't and you lose to some teams you shouldn't.
According to the oddsmakers, the Wolverines should have beaten Northwestern, Purdue and Penn State and should have lost to Colorado and Ohio State.
But as we all know, the oddsmakers aren't always right.
Sure, it would have made sense for Michigan to be 9-2, with losses to Colorado and Ohio State. But then again, little in the college football world ever makes sense.
So, could the Wolverines have gone, say, 10-1 or 11-0?
Perhaps, but they needed a super coaching job by coach Lloyd Carr, and they haven't gotten it. They needed Carr not to get ultra-conservative with a big lead at Northwestern, and they needed him to help the Wolverines out of their doldrums at Purdue.
But this is not to say he has done a bad job, either. Remember, the Wolverines are 8-3 with a mediocre offense and a good but not great defense. That's doesn't reek of a bad coaching performance.
The bottom line is that for the fourth straight season, the Wolverines are not going to the Rose Bowl. But that's not because they have underachieved. Or because they play to the level of their competition. Or because of poor coaching. No, the reason for Michigan's 8-3 record is rather simple.
The Wolverines just aren't very good.
Depending on the bowl game against Alabama, they'll finish the season 8-4 or 9-3.
For a good but not great team like Michigan, that sounds about right.
- Barry Sollenberger, who wishes to be in Pasadena Jan. 1 in the Arizona State section at the Rose Bowl, can be reached over e-mail at jsol@umich.edu. Go Sun Devils!