Don't Call it a Comeback, They have been here for years

The tale of two half's, Night and Day, Oops we fumbled again, 500 mistakes in the 500th game, Miracle on Stadium and Main, there are 100 headlines that could have described this unbelievable game. This game could have defined this team, this coach, this program.

I'm not sure, I have ever witnessed a worse offense performance from a Michigan team then what I saw in the first half in the Wisconsin game yesterday. Michigan had 20 yards of offense in the first half with negative passing yards. The first half tested your soul and strength as a Michigan fan, you could of turned your TV off, you could have left the stadium, you could have let your belief in Rich Rodriguez and his system wain. At 19-0 at halftime, most of us thought this game would end up 40-0 with Michigan looking at a one or two win season.

Then something happened. Terrance Taylor got out of his seat in the locker room and became a leader of this team. He verbally got into each player and told them they were not playing up to their potential, that they basically just slept walked through the first half. Rich said there wasn't much yelling from his staff at halftime, he probably couldn't get a word in over T2's tirade.

The outburst from Terrance fired up the boys up and they showed a pulse in the second half. Watching the tape after the game, even Bob Griese saw/felt the momentum changing. Wisconsin wasn't a great team, they had taken 5 turnovers from Michigan and turned it in to just 19 points. Michigan scored 27 points in what seemed like 10 minutes. Wisconsin like Michigan in the ND game, could not overcome all thier mistakes and it lead to the eventual loss. Key plays were the pick 6 from John Thompson, the 58 yard run by the rumbling bumbling 6"6 Threet, and Minor's nice breakaway TD run that caught Wisconsin in a blitz.

The first half was like a nightmare, the second half happened so quick it took your breath away. What a 500th game in the Big House! One we all will remember that hopefully will define this season.

Cheers:

• I can't say enough about the Michigan defense. The Michigan offense continued to put the D in terrible position with turnovers and the Michigan Defense held the Badgers to field goals which kept Michigan in the game. Wisconsin had a total of 158 rushing yards on 44 attempts.


• Steve Threet (as RR calls him). He couldn't have played any worse in the first half, he stuck with it and made some good throws and a long run in the second half to give the Wolverines a great victory.


• Coaching: I thought the game plan and play calling was terrible in the first half, but they stuck with Threet and called some great plays in the second half to give him some confidence.


• Terrance Taylor, (with Mike Hart on the field) to step up like Mike would have and showed captain like leadership skills.


• Graham's forced two fumbles (BG is becoming a big NFL prospect)


• Michigan total run yards: 172 Wisconsin total run yards: 158

Jeers:

• What is the deal with the turnovers? Michigan will continue to lose winnable games if they continue to give the ball away like that. The punt and kickoff return really needs to be fixed.


• The bubble screen and the zone read run left, everyone and their brother know those plays are coming.


• Slow Start, we need to find a way to give Threet some easy passes to get his confidence up early so we don't struggle for 30 minutes.


• Our run game would have been terrible if you take out Threet's runs. We need better offense line play and some inventive ways to get McGuffie in space.


• First down yards. Can we please get some first down yards? 2nd and 13 is not a good position to be in.

What does this mean for Illinois? Hard to say, Michigan struggles with mobile QB's and we will have to protect the ball better. Michigan can win this game if they score points, move the ball on offense, and don't let Juice get out of the pocket. If he is going to beat Michigan he will have to do it with his arm. I'm just happy it's at the Big House.