idn't watch this game, but I followed along pretty closely and have heard and read a few things since. First, this is not a surprise after the Oregon and Indiana games. While it is not a surprise, it is unacceptable.
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Michigan Flex Muscle, Down Spartans in 2003
Wolverines, Chris Perry own scrimmage line EAST LANSING, MI NOVEMBER 2, 2003 Nothing comes easy for the Wolverines when they visit East Lansing. Despite a complete domination of basically every statistical category, the Spartans still had the ball at the end of the game and a chance to tie. Jeff Smoker’s final pass was picked off in the endzone, and the entire Michigan bench sprinted for toward the tunnel as if to say, “Get me the hell out of here!”. With the win, the Wolverines move to the top of the Big Ten standings and will win the championship with wins over Northwestern and Ohio State. Meanwhile, the Eleventh Annual Dooley Brothers tailgate took place in the shadow of the stadium starting, in darkness, at around 6 a.m. We moved a few spots down from our traditional location in the A lot to take advantage of more real estate. The extra space was needed as a large crowd showed up to enjoy the cold brews, brats, and especially the incredible jambalaya and gumbo compliments of chef James Soniga. A few takes on the game:– Jeff Smoker played an outstanding game, although his numbers may not show it. He threw nice, on-target spirals to the MSU receivers all day long. Although Michigan didn’t get their hands on him very much during…
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Pre-game Notes, Minnesota 2003
A few items about this week’s game that you may not be reading in your local fishwraps: The game is being played for the Little Brown Jug, and Michigan has retained the Jug for the last 14 games. Michigan has won 31 of the last 33 meetings. These teams met last year, also at Minnesota, where Michigan won 41-24. The game is on Friday because the Gophers share the Metrodome with the Twins, who had the possibility of playing in the American League playoffs on Saturday. The Twins lost, but you can’t unring a bell, and all the arrangements have already been made to play the game on Friday. Minnesota has to pay all of Michigan’s travel costs associated with the move. The last time M played on Friday was against Minnesota in 1991 for the same reason. Michigan won 52-6. A loss could send Michigan out of the AP writers poll, where they have appeared in the top 25 during the past 84 polls. The Michigan SID says this is the longest active streak.
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Michigan Wolverines Limp past Hoosiers
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN SEPTEMBER 21, 2003 Fumbles, dropped passes, bad passes, missed tackles were the tune of the day as the Blue made enough big plays to take down the lowly Indiana Hoosiers football team. Other than another shining performance by WR/Kickoff returner Steve Breaston, what was there to take from this game? Look out for the next two weeks as Michigan travel to Iowa, then undefeated Minnesota for an odd Friday night game. Meanwhile, Washington State (the same Washington State that lost to Notre Dame in 2003) marched into Oregon and crushed the Sports Illustrated cover boys. Things need to change fast.
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Michigan Downs Florida Gators in Outback Bowl 2003
Michigan Defeats Florida, Avoids stigma of 4 loss season ANN ARBOR, MI JANUARY 2, 2003 What an exciting game it was, as the Big Ten’s Michigan Wolverines outlasted the SEC Florida Gators to finish 10-3 on the year. Thanks four straight 4-loss seasons in the mid-nineties, that figure (4) has become the sign of mediocrity. Beating Florida on Jan 1 has made this a very good season for the Blue. We ran the “muddle huddle” with coach Fro at Okemos High (I understand from Lew Popoff that Coach Smith runs that at East Lansing as well). Fro used to say it was good once a year. For those of you who don’t know what I’m talking about, basically the muddle huddle is where most of the offensive team (except the snapper and kicker) lines up to the extreme side of the field during an extra point try after a TD. If the defense does not line up properly to defend it, a guy on the extreme side of the field signals for the ball. It is hiked and ideally run in for an easy 2 pt conversion– if you catch the defense off guard. Florida tried to run this gimmick play against the Blue and got stuffed. I don’t know if the coaches just said give it a try, or…
