This is IT.

​It's funny how a ten-hour tailgate in Happy Valley makes a 3:30pm kickoff seem like it's too soon. A drizzling morning sky and chilly temperatures kept us huddled under the tents for much of the day. But just as it was time to head to the stadium, and not long after a mini-football war with GarsWorld, the skies cleared and the sun came through in full force to make the gametime temperature nearly 60 degrees.

A sluggish Wolverine offense mustered only three first-half points. Fortunately, that was three more than the Wolverine defense allowed in the same time period. The Wolverines would increase their offensive output every quarter, with 0 points in the first, 3 in the second, 7 in the third, and 10 in the fourth. Both Wolverine touchdowns came by way of Mike Hart, who along with the offensive line, became stronger as the game went on...while Iowa's defense got weaker. Chad Henne was as accurate as he has been all season, going 23-33 for 203 yards, despite some questionable pass blocking that resulted in 3 sacks and several scrambles.  

The Michigan defense reaffirmed their position as the best defense in the country. Even Drew Tate said so. They allowed just 1.7 yards per carry for a total of 41 yards, and did not allow a touchdown in the game for the first time this season. And while the game was close (10-6 heading into the 4th quarter), the result was never in doubt. Michigan wins 20-6 behind a second-half-heavy running game and brilliant defense.

The nation is ready for the impending game of the century between Michigan and Ohio State on November 18th, and for the next month, it's all you will hear about with regards to college football. The Big Two, Little Nine scenario so often referred to in the Big Ten has become a Big Two, Little 117 scenario for the nation. The winner of The Game will advance to, and become the odds-on favorite in, the BCS National Championship Game. All that stands in the way of the plan for the Wolverines is Northwestern, Ball State, and Indiana. For OSU, it's Minnesota, Illinois, and Northwestern. So, barring a miracle, THIS IS IT. But it doesn't feel like it, does it? Perhaps it's the amazing World Series run by our own Detroit Tigers that has muted your response to the Wolverines perfect season. Perhaps you are still reeling from last year's 7-5 abomination. Perhaps you're confidence has faded due to back-to-back average offensive performances. Perhaps you're just scared...of Ohio State...of Jim Tressel...of Columbus.

But seriously...THIS IS IT. It's everything you hoped for and more than you ever dreamt of. We have exercised the demons with convincing wins over Notre Dame and Wisconsin, handing both of them their only losses to this point. We returned the Little Brown Jug to Ann Arbor. We validated Super Mario's last second heroics of 2005 with yet another win at Penn State. We dominated two teams, Iowa and Michigan State, that took us to overtime just a year ago. We were handed one of the nation's toughest schedules, and remain unblemished through the late part of October. So it's time now to smile, celebrate a bit, puff up your chest, and walk tall. We're coming Columbus. I'M COMING COLUMBUS. Coming to ruin your pathetic lives once again.

So I Take the Week Off...

​...and Captain Funnypants adorns the front of the world's greatest tailgating website with a pot leaf. Hmmmm. I guess when the cat's away the mice will play. But there's been no Iowa preview, no predictions...no one really stepped up in my absence. That's unfortunate, but I'll be back in full force next week.

So here's the Iowa mini-preview:

• Iowa lost last week to Indiana


• Drew Tate watched video of Michigan vs. Penn State and pooped his pants


• Michigan leads the series 39-10-4

And here's the mini-predictions:

The Hammer:

• Well the game everyone has been anticipating has arrived, although maybe not on the week expected. Ladies and gentlemen it is game three of the road to Ohio State. To recap, MSU wasn't a trap game nor was Penn State, so let me introduce you to the Iowa Hawkeyes. Battered, beleaguered and recently upset by one of the worst teams in the country. And what do we have to play for? We don't owe them anything and they're not very good. So let me ask again, what do we have to play for? Some may caution that this is the same University that almost pulled off an upset in the big house in '97 and that the same could hold true this year. But my theme for the season has been validation. Prove yourself each week. And Lloyd thankfully is on my side...


• There should be something in there that's a motivating factor, because we don't live in a vacuum. We know where we are. If we're a smart football team, which we have been this year, then we understand that you better be focused on who's coming to town this week and what we need to do to get better. I think that's clear for all of us." Loud and clear. Crystal.


• Michigan 31
  Iowa 10

The Xbox

• Michigan 14, Iowa 10

The Webmaster:

• Michigan 24, Iowa 0

Johnny Cleveland:

• This has all the makings of the scare/trap game.  Iowa was supposed to be
  vying for a share of the Big Ten title and they go and lose to IU last
  week.  That coupled with *6 still being out are the worst things that
  could happen as our focus could be lost.  But this squad has been resilient
  all along and won't stop now.  Look for Iowa to lead early and maybe even
  at the half.  But the D will create turnovers eventually and we will be
  able to leave early to watch Game 1 of the series.  Michigan 30 Iowa 21

  OMVP : Hart
  DMVP : Hall

Case of the Mundys: Quick Hitter Edition 10/16/06

​I'm skipping the weekend roundup to pack. So surf the internet your damn self.

Injury Report:

• Bass / Kolodziej : Season


• Tyler Ecker: Ankle, did not make trip to Happy Valley, status uncertain


• Mario Manningham: Knee, successful surgery...I'm guessing he'll return for Indiana

That's all...I'm on vacation this week and leaving admin duties to Johnny Cleveland. You behave JC. I'll be checking in now and then.

FD-WM

We STILL OWN...Penn State

​It wasn't easy for the Wolverines, and it wasn't supposed to be.  Under the bright lights of Beaver Stadium, the white shirt-laden crowd of 110,000+, and without leading receiver Mario Manningham, Michigan found itself in a game that was in doubt in the 4th quarter for the first time this season. A daunting Penn State defense held the Maize and Blue under 5 yards a carry, and forced Pennsylvania product Chad Henne to throw for a season high 30 attempts.

Stalled for most of the first half, Michigan went into halftime with a 10-3 lead, with a 24-yard Henne-to-Arrington marking the game's only touchdown. A 24-yard slant to Breaston comprised mostly of YAC, followed by a 20-yard Mike Hart run set up Mike Hart's 6th touchdown of the season to make it 17-3 at the end of the third. And that's all you need to know about the offense. Because the offense isn't important.

Michigan's defense was the star of Saturday Night Football in Happy Valley, holding Tony Hunt to 33 yards on 13 carries, 78 yards below his season average, and 102 yards below his total against Ohio State earlier this year. Michigan held Penn State to a total of -16 yards rushing, and knocked out both first string quarterback Anthony Morelli and second string quarterback Daryll Clark, forcing probable red-shirt candidate Paul Cianciolo into the first action of his college career. It has reached a point where Michigan's defense is now feeding off the offense when it fails to produce. Whenever Michigan failed to convert, the defense seemed to get stronger, more aggressive, and for the opposing team...downright scary. And while a screen pass to Tony Hunt lead to a late fourth quarter touchdown and cut the lead to seven, Michigan's defense would not falter again. An incomplete pass on 4th and 6 allowed Chad to take a couple of knees and walk out of the only collegiate game he will play in Pennsylvania with a victory. Michigan wins 17-10, their 8th straight over Penn State, and 4th straight in Happy Valley.

Michigan Football, in seven short weeks, has gone from a vulnerable, wounded, and dejected program, to a team that has an advantage in every game they play from this point forward...before they even set foot on the field. That advantage? Fear. People are scared of Michigan again, and damn it feels good.

Under the cover of darkness, the glorious echoes of traveling Michigan fans came down from the alien-spaceship-like upper concourse of Beaver stadium. As if choreographed, "It's great to be a Michigan Wolverine," "Go Blue," and "Hail to the Victors Valiant" was heard in perfect harmony from the different packs of the Michigan faithful. The switch has been flipped. There is one goal. There is one path. And everyone knows where it leads. The heavy work continues for one more week, as a pissed-off Iowa heads to Ann Arbor coming off an embarrassing loss. After that, it's a full month of cake (unless you choose to fear Indiana) before heading to Columbus for what may be the biggest hype-fest in sports history...and that much hype still might not be enough to prepare you for what will most likely be billed as the game of the century.

It was the longest tailgate in UMTailgate.com history, spanning nearly 10-hours. It was filled with copious amounts of food and drink, with no less than five full meals courtesy of the combining of our tailgate with that of Gar's World. Breakfast sandwiches, sausage and cheese chowder, JJ's famous salmon, Garwiches, Mediterranean Chicken and Shrimp pitas, and a plethora of snacks and desserts. Yes, it was completely ridiculous...but so was the scene surrounding the stadium, as nearly 1000 individual RV's set up shop, each with their own unique tailgates. Tailgaters of all levels and from all walks of life came together, from simple small grills featuring hot dogs and hamburgers, to full large screen HD TV's with surround sound with filet mignons and multiple kegerators. It was an amazing day, an amazing atmosphere, and another solid Michigan victory.

The first edition of the BCS has been released, and Michigan is #3 in the poll, their highest ranking since its inception. The Wolverines are #2 in the AP (which is no longer used in the BCS), #2 in the Harris Poll, #3 in the coach's poll, and #2 in the computer poll average (where Ohio State is #3 and USC is #1). While all of this is really nice...you should only be thinking about removing Drew Tate's torso from his legs in 6 days.

They Want Revenge : Staff Predictions for Penn State

​The Hammer:

I will state this once. Penn State is no better than Michigan State. In fact if we played both teams 10 times MSU would have a better chance of beating us. I hate that people are concerned about this game. That concern makes me in turn concerned. But if I allow myself to use logic and reason I come to this conclusion...

Michigan 24
Penn State 6

Play calling could be detrimental but I don't see how they score. If Trent isn't right or something flukey happens like a damn fake field goal or special teams touchdown or Chad has a brain lapse or, or, or, or...enough! We dominate. Now go to bed.

HART and HALL, book it.

Johnny Cleveland:

We head to H.V. with negatives all around as we are wounded and playing at night. JoPa seems to have a couple miracles left in him and we are just hoping we are not one of them. With that being said get ready for some old fashioned Michigan Football. We run, run and run some more unitl time of posession and field position is all the excitement we once again have.

As boring as it will be until #86 returns, it proves to be effective when you have the best defense in the country. Look for the emergence of the tight end, quite possibly young Carson Butler, to lead us to a low scoring win. Michigan 13, PSU 7

OMVP : Running Backs
DMVP : D-Line

The XBox:

Michigan blows a 14-0 first quarter lead, giving up 17 unanswered in the 2nd quarter.

Penn State 24
Michigan 17

The Webmaster:

Scared? Not really. Nervous? Nope. Wish we had Mario and that we were playing a half of a mile from where I'm typing? Yes. But this is part of the deal. Night games in fired up stadiums in the freezing cold wth a key injury...that's college football, or at least that's college football today. So let's just play Michigan football and I'll see you next week when we're 7-0. It's that simple.

Michigan 21
Penn State 10

Arrington and Woodley