Blog Archive

Little Brown Jug 2008

In a year when Michigan football streaks were being broken by the handful it is nice to see a streak continue.  Let’s review:

• First lost to a MAC team in 25 games?  Check.
• First lost to Penn State in 10 years?  Check
• First lost to Michigan State since 2001 and first at home since 1990?  Check.
• First lost to Purdue since 2000?  Most points ever given up to Purude?  Check.
• Headed to first non-bowl season in 33 years?  Check.
• Headed to the first losing season in 41 years?  Check

So today against Minnesota Michigan was in danger of their first loss in the Metrodome and giving up the Little Brown Jug for only the third time in 31 seasons.  But Michigan finally played a complete game and notched thier twelth win in the Metrodome.

Most Michigan fans are wondering where that Nick Sheridan has been all season.  His poor play had led fans to believe that Sheridan = death, but he played a nice game today and Michigan’s offense was balanced as a result.  Combine this with a defense that never let Minnesota get on track and you have something we really haven’t seen all year: a Michigan team that seemed in control and who played consistently for sixty minutes.  More thoughts below.

A few things that stood out to me:

• Against a mostly traditional offense the defense looked good.  They put pressure on the QB, didn’t give up the big play, and the tackling was better.  This is the defense fans expected this year.
• As noted above, Nick Sheridan looked a like a different player.  He made good decisions for the most part and ran the offense well.  Minnesota was going to stack the line and make Michigan prove they could throw the ball.  On a number of key plays Sheridan did just that and kept Minnesota from selling out against the run.  I remember a couple of key third down plays that led to points.
• Justin Feagin looks like a useful weapon in this offense.  Nice to have something else for opposing defenses to have to prepare for.
• Scoring points in the third quarter was key.  Michigan had struggled all year after half and had only scored 14 points total in the third quarter all season coming into today.  Two field goals isn’t lighting it up but they moved the ball and put points on the board in every quarter and that is important.
• The final drive was awesome.  A six minute plus touchdown drive to put the game away was such a great statement for this team given their inability to close out so many other games.  I would have to think that would be a confidence builder.

This has to feel good for the coaches as well.  The pressure had been building as each week brought a new low.  Getting a solid win against anyone at this point is progress.  To play well for all four quarters and in all phases of the game has to feel good and give this team something to build on.  And at the same time give the coaches a sense that the team hasn’t given up and that they can turn the corner on this thing.

Of course, it would be nice to see it repeated next week to show that it wasn’t a fluke.  But for now I will savor the win.