Cleveland PD
11/14
Weekly Wolverine Watch
Monday, November 14, 2005
The idea that Michigan could wind up in a BCS bowl is hard to believe.
Let's review what the Wolverines were saying after a home defeat to Minnesota on Oct. 8 lost the Little Brown Jug and dropped them to 3-3.
"This wasn't just for the Jug," said linebacker LaMarr Woodley, "it was for the Big Ten Championship. It's not a good feeling losing like this, and it hurts to lose early. We have to play for our pride now. A lot of people lost faith in us, and we have to win them back."
After that loss, the Wolverines were 1-2 in the conference, good for ninth place, ahead of only Purdue and Illinois. Four wins later, Michigan actually has a chance to tie for the Big Ten title with Ohio State and Penn State and advance to a BCS bowl by virtue of wins over the Buckeyes and Nittany Lions.
All they need is a win over Ohio State on Saturday and a Penn State loss. That's a long way from ninth place.
"I think [the players] proved what they are made of," Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said after Saturday's 41-14 win over Indiana. "They have strong fiber and they fought back. There is no question that their road was a real, real hard one because of the hole we put ourselves in early. We have beat some very good football teams and have come together as a football team. We're excited because we have made a run, we have some momentum and we get to play at home. Now, we have to put together a good game plan and come out with our best game of the year."
Even Ohio State fans should be able to appreciate that. Thanks to Michigan's rebound and the Buckeyes holding the fort after early losses to Texas and Penn State, the Big Game is exactly what it should be - big.
Countdown to The Big Game: 5 days.
ANNIHILATE 
