Michigan Football Fans: We Get It, You're "Great", Reality Check Needed

(Photo by Domenic Centofanti/Getty Images)

September 12, 2009.

A day already heralded by Michigan Football fans across the nation.

A day that showed quite possibly the birth of a new era of success in Michigan Football.

After a mortifying 2008 season, going 3-9, Michigan entered week 2 of a new college football season in '09 a slight underdog against the Irish of Notre Dame.

And after a solid 31-7 win in the previous week against Western Michigan, this game entered in as one with secondary hype compared to USC vs. Ohio State.

The game lived up to all the hype, and turned out to be a classic clash of The Irish and Wolverines.

The Wolverines of Michigan turned in a 38-34 thriller victory, on a last minute touchdown with 11 seconds left on the game clock.

Tate Forcier turned in one of the best freshman performances in the history of college football. Brilliant.

But, the minute Greg Matthews caught that 5 yard bullet to win the game, was the minute I knew Ohio State had to beat USC to keep from the roar of Wolverine fans.

Ohio State did not win that collision. Losing in the final minutes to a freshman QB at the helm for the Trojans.

The next day, I did my usual morning trip to The Bleacher Report.

I knew it would be tough after suffering the loss we did against USC. After making bold predictions of victory for the Buckeyes, I knew I was going to have to take crap from all over the site.

I was prepared for that, and in my opinion, I took it very well.

What I was not prepared for was the Wolverine fans of old.

The Michigan fans convinced that they are better than the Buckeyes once again, just like old times.

To add to that, we have Adam Rittenberg, a Big Ten blogger for the official ESPN site, putting Michigan at No. 2 in front of Ohio State, No. 3 in his latest Big Ten Power Rankings.

All this upheaval for a win over Notre Dame team? A highly over rated and most likely average again Notre Dame team?

I can guarantee if Ohio State beat Notre Dame 38-34 this past weekend, they would be criticized for keeping it such a close game.

If Michigan played the game we did against USC this past weekend, they would be uplifted for their outstanding performance and effort.

What is becoming a disturbance in the college football world is the hatred for Ohio State.

The hatrid for Ohio State, and the out-of-nowhere approval to Michigan Football again.

Did Tate Forcier show greatness? Yes. Did Michigan perform very well in the 'Big House'? Yes. Is Notre Dame most likely another average Irish team as usual? Yes.

The bottom line is, that while Michigan performed well and showed a solid team, it is a bit drastic at this point to label them the second--or even first by some--best team in the Big Ten.

I've now heard 'Tate Forcier for Heisman' predictions, thrashing of Ohio State in November predictions, predictions for a national title next year, predictions of a big ten title this year, and all of the sort.

While this victory may be exciting for the Wolverines, now is the time for a reality check until they can show a great team like they were in the past.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?