Driving around aimlessly yesterday after the game, the only thing that made us feel better was that, preseason, we hoped for a split in these back-to-back road games, State and Iowa. That is still within this team's reach. Also winning two of the first three U-M-not-preseason-favorite games (ND, MSU, Iowa) was something to hope for. Also still possible.

But, unfortunately, that was about the only consolation. That and maybe Forcier is now over the hump. Maybe it's wishful thinking on my part, but he seems to be adjusting during the plays now -- seen especially at the end of this game -- he's no longer just doing what he's been taught to do -- he's innovating. Stick that in your pipe and smoke it, TP.

What happened to the O Line? Forcier was hurried all day. No running game -- did MSU shut that down or did we just not try? How bad can Khoury be? I mean, he's a 6'6" center. Hail! I'd like to see what Khoury's got, while Moosman goes back to doing what he does best. 

On defense, what the hell was that? I know the philosophy this season has been "bend, don't break." It did sort of work in this game. But it's like Robinson (sorry, can't call him GERG right now, though I still don't know where that comes from) isn't willing to risk the big play, ever. This leads to Cousins running around like the next Vince Young.

In the OT, I think I take my time out before that MSU third-down play (what turned out to be the final play of the game). 

Finally, after the jump, (NOOOOO......)

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All they need is to sign Hart (Colts practice squad) and the band will be back together!

But seriously, this reminds me of the circumstances that led to Brady's ascent. Now, I don't think Henne is the kind of natural leader that Brady is -- my wife and I cackle with laughter and say "... the legend continues" every time he leads a comeback. Living in New England, and a lifelong Patriots fan, I was ecstatic when they drafted him. I so enjoyed it as the pundits who kept dismissing Brady had to eat their words time and again during that incredible 2001 season (and even, for some of those idiots, into the next).

To get back to the point, Henne played under a lot of pressure at Michigan and like Brady he's had a year to learn the ways of the NFL before being thrust into the starting role. I think Henne could basically be Drew Bledsoe with (learned, as opposed to natural) leadership skills (which Bledsoe lacked almost entirely, IMHO), and that's pretty damn good.

It's also quite satisfying that Henne's backup will be Pat White, and he'll be in the games for some of Miami's wildcat stuff. So the Dolphins' quarterbacks are a sort of Carr-Rodriguez Frankenstein's monster. I'll be pulling for them this year in every game except two...

Four days, three hours!

Western Michigan will be a good initial test for this defense. They've got a good quarterback and a veteran offensive line. Receivers are another question. [WCA is all over this.] If the game turns into a shootout, then it's going to be a long season. If the defense shuts them down, that's a step in the right direction.

Everybody's going to be watching the offense, though. I'd much prefer that Rich start one of the freshmen, but if he was going to do that he would have made the announcement by now -- it will be Sheridan. I imagine they want to make the Notre Dame players study all of the Sheridan film from last year. I've no doubt Nick has improved, maybe even a whole lot, likely enough to score on WMU's anemic defense, but we've all seen him run. End of discussion. No way he starts against Notre Dame, unless Forcier throws six interceptions and fumbles eight times against the Broncos.

Anyhow, the Free Press scandal will become a running joke in the locker room by next week, and shouldn't be enough to derail the Wolverines this week.

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