They just had roasted wolverines:
ANN ARBOR — Before any absurd rationalizations about whatever happens the rest of this season for this Michigan offense, please note that it lost its way even before losing its veteran quarterback.
A week after the most shocking loss in Wolverines history, they suffered their most lopsided loss since Woody Hayes decided to go for two points “because I couldn’t go for three,” way back in 1968.
That kind of historic defeat doesn’t happen on one side of the ball, and as lousy as U-M’s defensive greenhorns have proven themselves, the high-profile offense is in no position to assess blame.
Another stunning home loss — 39-7, to Oregon — can not disguise the comprehensive breakdowns this time, including those by the unit upon which the Wolverines pinned their erstwhile national championship hopes.
National championship? Dead.
Heisman Trophy hopes? Dead.
Michigan as an offensive machine?
Dead. [How low can Michigan go? The Grand Rapids Press via MLive. September 8 2007]
Some fans are really angry.
The sky was a gentle blue, but it was raining on the Wolverines, a kind of rain that rarely falls on their home field. They were getting embarrassed, shown up, outplayed on national television in every way you can get outplayed in football.
And it was raining boos.
Yes, those were Michigan fans making that ugly noise, fans wearing maize-and-blue shirts, fans who came out believing last week’s shocking loss to Appalachian State was a fluke. And perhaps it was. Last week was an upset.
This was just a butt-kicking.
And it won’t be the last. Not if Michigan keeps playing this way. At the moment, the sweetest invitation you can get in college football may be a Saturday in Ann Arbor. The 39-7 defeat to Oregon, the fourth loss in a row for Michigan going back to last season — worst stretch since 1967 — wasn’t David shaking down Goliath. [MAIZE AND BOO: U-M loses game, crowd and respect after woeful 0-2 start. Mitch Albom. Detroit Free Press. September 8 2007]
Next week is Notre Dame and the venue is Ann Arbor. If that game turns out to be ugly, maybe Coach Carr should part away peacefully from Michigan.
And finally, from the New York Times:
Sigh…
One reply on “[1360] Of ducks evolving into carnivores”
[…] Not too long ago, most Michigan fans would sit down and enjoy a game against Penn State while Joe Paterno, day in, day out waded through mounting criticism which one way or another led to demand for resignation. Today, Penn State is ranked #10 in the BCS ranking while Michigan, ranked #5 before the season began, now unranked, no thanks to the losses to Appalachian State and subsequently Oregon. […]