LAHAINA, HAWAI'I - For the majority of Michigan football fans - those who spent in excess of $100 to see Ohio State dismantle the Wolverines and those who held Pasadena dreams close to their hearts - Saturday's game will be cleansing.
No, Michigan will not spend vast amounts of time psyching itself up for its opponent. Instead, the vast expenditure will come from the Athletic Department's deep pockets and the booty will be a trip to Hawaii for a 9:45 p.m. kickoff.
So while the campus in Ann Arbor readies itself for Turkey Day, the Wolverines will be soaring over the Pacific Ocean wondering why two 18-hour trips - one each way - are necessary after the regular season is over.
 |
| MARGARET MYERS/Daily After a tough loss at Ohio State, Michigan quarterback Tom Brady and the rest of the Wolverines should be looking forward to their matchup with Hawai'i. The Fighting Rainbows have lost 17 games in a row and are 0-10 this season. |
1. Michigan has concluded its Big Ten season.
When the Wolverines rolled through their first seven conference games, few questioned the purpose. The goal, as it always is at Michigan, was to gain the Big Ten's spot in the Rose Bowl and secure bragging rights. But following the 31-16 shellacking of the defending national champs, the most entertaining option is ...
2. The Citrus Bowl, where the Wolverines will find themselves on New Year's Day, fighting to avoid another four-loss season.
Upon further review, the Citrus Bowl may be Michigan's most appropriate venue. The Disney-invested bowl is based in Orlando and, with a month to prepare for the lure of Disney World and a week in the sun, a Mickey Mouse operation may appear sooner than expected.
Hawai'i is bad. Really bad.
The Rainbows have lost 17 games in a row and come into the Michigan game at an embarrassing 0-10. Last Saturday, on the their home field, Northwestern throttled them after the game was close in the first few minutes. If Northwestern can ring up 47 points, something has to be working.
Some credit is due the Warriors, however.
They compete in the Western Athletic Conference with schools like Pacific and Brigham Young (i.e. those on the mainland). Their travel schedule - much like Alaska-Fairbanks in hockey - takes a toll on those participating.
And that may be the biggest thing the Rainbows have going for them. A Michigan team that traveled all day on Thanksgiving only to plan a return trip on Sunday could be sluggish and jet lagged.
But the odds - 40 1/2 points in Michigan's favor - say Michigan will come ready to play. A crushing defeat like last week's will probably release pent-up energy, the sun will most likely provide a welcome relief. The turf of Aloha Stadium should play right into the hands and feet of Michigan's skill players, itching to break open huge runs and long passes.
In Ann Arbor, it is freezing cold, on the verge of snow and depressingly football-free.
In Hawai'i, it is 85 degrees with perfect sun and surf, with much less focus on the gridiron and more on the beach.
11-25-98
| Previous Article | Next Article |
should be sent to: daily.letters@umich.edu | should be sent to: online.daily@umich.edu |