1. Michigan’s The 3<SUP>rd</SUP> Loss
While Texas A&M may have it’s 12<SUP>th</SUP> Man, Michigan has The 3<SUP>rd</SUP> Loss. There is some dispute about when this tradition actually started, but most agree it was Coach Gary Moelller’s 3rd year in 1993 when Michigan went 8-4. The 3<SUP>rd</SUP> Loss came on Oct. 23 against Illinois in Ann Arbor. The fans really took to the new tradition. “We really needed something to set us apart from the rest.” said Raoul Fucnopusse, Professor of Italian-American Trans-gender/Gay and Lesbian Studies and long time maize and blue athletic supporter. "This is the kind of tradition even the lowest of the low among us can feel a part of.” When Michigan’s next coach, Llloyd Carr, was hired he pledged in front of a capacity crowd at Crisler Area “In 325 days, in State College Pennsylvania, we will have The 3<SUP>rd</SUP> Loss!” He did not let the faithful down. That year against Penn State, Michigan grabbed The 3rd Loss in one of the greatest games in Michigan’s glorious history, successfully deferring success by a score of 27-17. However, in 1997, Llloyd Carr seemed to forget about this storied tradition. The maize and blue went 12-0. This drew the predictable ire from the alums and dropouts and other people who have no direct link to the University, but still buy the T-shirts and hats. Llloyd Carr again pledged he would continue with the tradition. In 2001, Coach Carr decided that the tradition was so well liked he needed to do something extra. He decided The 3<SUP>rd</SUP> Loss needed to happen in the biggest game of the year. That year, his highly touted Michigan team achieved The 3<SUP>rd</SUP> Loss in front of a packed “Big House” against the team’s most hated rival, Ohio State. Since then, Michigan either got The 3<SUP>rd</SUP> Loss against Ohio State or in their bowl game, including grabbing The 3<SUP>rd</SUP> Loss in two straight Rose Bowls, only adding to the pageantry and lore of this great tradition. There are no signs of this tradition ending any time soon and while Ohio State will continue to "Dot the i" and Texas A&M will have it's 12th Man, Michigan’s The 3<SUP>rd</SUP> Loss tradition will continue to rank as the greatest in all of college football. And the Michigan Wolllverine crazies willl continue to proudllly cheer their bellloved coach "Llloyd". Go Blllue!!!
Edit Reason: Spellled Blllue wrong. :)
