Sporting News
The best team of the first half is Michigan
October 9, 2006
Where are all those Lloyd Carr haters when you need them?
Wasn't so long ago every Michigan fan worth his weight in blue face paint wanted Carr gone. Now look where we are: Michigan is playing as well as any team in the country (when many believed it wouldn't) and headed for a showdown with No. 1 Ohio State in the regular season finale for all the marbles.
And when I say all the marbles, I mean ALL the marbles. The Big Ten championship, the national championship and Carr's job. Because if you think Michigan fans are loud and proud during an 11-0 start, wait and see how boisterous and bonkers they become if 11-0 turns into losing five of the last six to Ohio State.
I
said long ago that Carr's resume is sparkling, that he has done more for Michigan in such a short time than any other coach in the program's storied history. He has earned the right to leave when he wants. But that said, I'm also a realist. John Cooper was fired because he was 2-10-1 vs. Michigan.
Don't think that 1-4 record vs. Tressel doesn't have a place in this argument.
And that's all the more fuel and motivation for a talented team that finally has found an identity and unwavering perseverance. TB Mike Hart is back to his freshman form, giving the offense balance and taking pressure off QB Chad Henne and the passing game. The offense is producing long drives and limiting turnovers, keeping an underrated defense from protecting short fields or being on the field too long.
Close seconds:
Ohio State: Seems like the Buckeyes simply turn it on when they need to. Key wins over Texas (now how impressive does that win look?) and Iowa have been sandwiched around a few laughers in games where it has to be hard to stay focused.
Florida: If the Gators are unbeaten through October, no team deserves the No. 1 BCS ranking more. Florida is halfway through a four-game stretch -- Alabama, LSU, at Auburn, vs. Georgia (in Jacksonville) -- tougher than any in the country. Who the teams are (LSU and Auburn very good; Alabama and Georgia solid) is tough enough. Playing them -- and surviving -- in consecutive weeks is the real trick.