Whether it's official or not, this game is for the Rose Bowl

But five years is a long time to wait for some people. Too long for others, an eternity for Michigan football fans.

But that's how long its been since the Wolverines last played in a Rose Bowl. No player on Michigan's roster has ever been to Pasadena, and only a handful of the coaches have had the experience.

John Leroi Out of Bounds

Bo Schembechler's mantra was "Those who stay will be champions," and in Bo's 20 years, no Wolverine left Ann Arbor without playing in at least one Rose Bowl.

Now, nearly five years after its last appearance, Michigan has a legitimate shot at another Rose Bowl berth. But the Wolverines' biggest and most formidable hurdle stands 24 hours ahead of them - tomorrow's matchup with No. 2 Penn State.

It's no coincidence the Wolverines' last conference championship was in 1992, the last year the Nittany Lions were not in the Big Ten. Since then, Michigan has waded knee-deep in four-loss seasons with Rose Bowl dreams erased before November. The Wolverines defeated Penn State 21-13 in 1993, but since then, the Lions have had Michigan's number.

Tomorrow, two undefeated teams will square off in State College in a game that couldn't mean more. The winner is not only in the driver's seat in the Rose Bowl race, but has the accelerator to the floor. The loser is running on empty.

While, statistically at least, neither team will be eliminated from Rose Bowl contention this weekend, there is no question that this game is for the right to represent the Big Ten conference in Pasadena.

"Our biggest goal this season was to make it to the Rose Bowl, All-planet cornerback Charles Woodson said. "We're headed in that direction."

They haven't been in a long time. But for some reason, this team is different. Last year, Michigan never would have come from two touchdowns behind to beat Iowa on its final drive of the fourth quarter.

This team is special, and nobody quite knows why. There were no letdowns this year. There is no selfishness. There is a huge sense of urgency, and it seems that every Wolverine knows it.

"We pretty much knew after the first game," said tailback Chris Howard, who has played with bruised ribs the past two games. "We knew we had something special, that we could run the table. But it doesn't mean anything if we don't win this game."

This game is for the Rose Bowl. The Wolverines would have to win their last three games to be guaranteed a bid. But if they win tomorrow, it is unlikely anybody could knock them off track.

Lose and the situation is even harder to get out of. Penn State would have to lose twice in its final three games for Michigan to even have a prayer.

"We all know what the game means and the ramifications of winning and losing," said senior linebacker Rob Swett, who hails from Chalfont, Pa., and was recruited by both Penn State and Michigan.

"If we win, our chances of going to the Rose Bowl are pretty good. If we lose ..."

Well, it's unthinkable. And unlike previous seasons, Swett wouldn't even allow himself to say it. This is a big game around here, no matter what anybody else throughout the country thinks.

This is for the Rose Bowl. Penn State knows it and Michigan knows it.

A loss for Michigan wouldn't mean the end of its season, but it would be the end of its dream.

- John Leroi can be reached via e-mail at jrleroi@umich.edu

11-07-97