I want to write something lengthy about the Capital One Bowl on Tuesday, but I’ve been doing a lot of non-blogging, non-work writing lately and don’t have the energy for too many words.
That game was incredible. Possibly one of the best ones I’ve seen as a fan, if not the best one. Remember, we’d spent a month listening to Tebow hype and Florida’s predicted dominance over us in the game. To make matters worse, I spent the 12 days before the game in Florida, listening to just about every single person I know tell me that we had no chance against this year’s Heisman winner and one of next year’s candidates (Harvin). Hubris among the Florida fans surrounded and annoyed me, but even I couldn’t help but expect a Michigan loss. Like all other Wolverine fans, I was just hoping for a chance to see a healthy Henne and Hart play one last time. Maybe, just maybe, beat the spread (gambling spread, not offensive spread). A moral victory.
Then we came out firing, scoring more points in a half than I thought we’d get all game. A lead at halftime, then a 14 point lead, and the excitement started building. Things were going our way. Sure there were the moments of anxiety – Mike Hart fumbled? TWICE? We’re throwing to Jake Long now? Why isn’t anyone covering Harvin? Oh crap, its the fourth quarter – but there were also moments of joy. Morgan Trent running down “SEC speed” from the opposite side of the field, constant hits on Tebow, Holy-fucking-Arrington, etc.
And we freakin won. I wanted so bad to call everyone who’d hyped Florida for 12 days, especially Guy Whose Only Comment Was CoughAppalachianStateCough, and say Ha! But I resigned myself to enjoying the victory alone (it didn’t help that I was watching the game in a Florida fan’s house, and would have been violently removed had I gloated excessively).
I choked up during the final moments of the game. The smile on Lloyd Carr’s face when he got his Gatorade bath, and when he was hoisted on his players’ shoulders, was genuinely moving, and it was then that the end of his era truly hit me. I’ll admit, I was one of many who were quickly frustrated by our team’s seemingly consistent ability to screw things up, especially during 2005 and 2007, and often joined the choruses calling for his head. But this man was our coach when I first became a Michigan fan. He made me proud to be a Wolverine. Eight seasons later, I am sad to see him leave.
I could go on, hopefully organizing my thoughts from the last two days a little better, but I’m tired. Check out this AP article on “Carr’s Last Ride”, as well as my Google Reader Shared Items (also in my sidebar) for a lot more commentary on the game.
Go Blue.
