2006 Michigan Game

[AutoModGod]

I watched the 2006 Michigan Game again over the weekend, mostly because I have heard so much about Michigan's great "come back" and how "close" The Game was from UM fans on a sportstalk show here in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Did you know that Michigan had the ball exactly 1 time in the second half with a chance to tie or take the lead? 

That possession was in the 3rd quarter and followed an OSU turnover that resulted in the FG that cut our lead to 28-24.  We immediately answered with a TD and when UM cut the lead to 35-31 we immediately scored again to take a 42-31 lead.  We had an 11 point lead for most of the 4th quarter and Michigan never had the ball with a chance to tie or take the lead.

It befuddles me to hear UM fans talk about their great come back last year and how close the game was.     Don't you have to come back to tie or take the lead to have "come back"?

 

[Nate]

I didn't get that either.  There was only a few times that I was actually a little nervous in the 2nd half.  I felt we controlled the game for the most part. 

The thing was that we were working them in the 1st half and it looked like we were going to blow them out bad after the 3rd and 1 play action TD pass to Ginn.  Then they got closer.  Most of the time they would score and take lead down to 4 and then we would answer back. 

I don't understand what any talk of a great comeback or how close the game was is coming from. 

[AutoModGod]

Where we missed a great chance to blow that baby wide-open was when we had the ball to start the 2nd half.  We held a 14 point lead and went 3 and out.  Michigan then scored to cut the lead to 7.  Big, big turning point, credit UM's defense.

After Troy threw the INT, they showed him pouting on the bench and being non-communicative with this teammates.  C-Wells was trying to console him and he appeared to be ignoring him.  It reminded me of the way he appeared to be acting during the FLA game when things did not go well for him.

[Nate]

We also had a chance to blow the game open when we got that out of the blue roughing the snapper call on called us. 

Michigan shouldn't be talking about how close the game was.  They should talking about how lucky they were it was as close as it was.

[AutoModGod]

The roughing the center call was truly peculiar.  I have watched a lot of college football and have never seen that call made.  I didn't know that the rule existed and still don't know what the rule is.  One must not be able to touch the center at all because the dude was standing up when he was hit.  It does seem like centers make a lot of tackles on punt coverage, the roughing rule may be the reason why.

I can't imagine how much fun it will be here in Michigan if we win again in AA this year.  With Tressel, we will have a chance because he will scheme something that will leave LLLLLoyd scratching his head; he always does.  A repeat of the 2001 victory (26-20 final, game over at half time) would be fine by me.   

[Nate]

I think the roughing the snapper penalty is basically you can't make contact with the snapper until he raises his head.  That was what many here in Columbus were talking about.  The guy was moving but he had his head down. 

I swear after this NBA thing you wonder when crazy calls like that are made if refs don't pull things out of their hat sometimes to keep scores close.  Unfortunately (or fortunately) because of this NBA official scandal I think people are now going to be very sensitive to officials and their calls and honestly, I've suspected refs gambling in all sports for a very long time.   They have some of the most control over spreads than anyone involved in any sport.   Sorry, wasn't trying to change the subject of the thread.

[mjp28]

I always remember Tressel cares about one stat, "W".

He will manage the game, clock, put in plenty of players just so he wins.

2007 should be interesting, JT 5-1 going into AA, maybe an underdog, LLLLLoyd wanting bad to win......we'll see

[AutoModGod]

Yep, it will be interesting and I like our chances.  Tress always comes up with something "special" for UM.

I am very much looking forward to it.  I cannot imagine the fallout here in Michigan if we win again.  I gotta think that the pressure to dump LLLLLoyd will send him out the door into retirement.  Then I hope they promote Ron English, the defensive "mastermind" that we tore up last year;  Tress can school him for a few years and continue the run of Ws.   

I have no idea why UMers think English is so great.

[GoMichigan(NoGood)]

Your defense wasn't so hot last year either 39 points? Last time I checked thats not so good. Also I don't know what you mean about the second half? You guys scored 28 to our 14 in the first half. In the second half we score 25 and you scored 14. 3 point difference which means you win by 3. The game was close in the second half I think Michigan would have won if it wasn't for dumb ass Shawn Crable hitting Troy Smith in the head giving you a first down followed by a touchdown, if he didn't do that you punt to us. And Lloyd Carr made a stupid move by going for it on 4th and 10 when he should have kicked a Field goal which in the end would have been tied. And I have no idea how you think OSU is gonna win this year, theres no way. No Troy, Ginn, Gonzales. On the otherside your looking at Henne, Hart, Arrington, Manningham, and Long. I'm more worried about Wisconsin than OSU.

[Nate]

You have your what ifs, we have our what ifs that would have made the game an absolute blowout.

To say we have no shot to win is ridiculous.  This team has talent.  Yes, you are and probably should be the favorites at this point but it should be a game.