I Admit It: I Hate the Spread at Michigan

Michigan Football has many traditions. A wide reciever wears the No. 1 jersey. They battle Minnesota for the Little Brown Jug. They run under the "Go Blue" sign before the home games. These are a few traditions that will continue.

The tradition I loved the most about Michigan was its reputation. That is punching the other team in the mouth and running it down their throat.

Last year, the spread offense was brought in.

Now I don't have anything against the spread. It has its place and is exciting when it is fully implemented. However, that place is not Ann Arbor, Michigan.

I always liked Lloyd Carr and appreciated what he did for the program. I will never forget 1997. Thank you Lloyd.

However, I felt it was time for Michigan to move in a different direction like many other Michigan fans.

I knew what we were getting in Rich Rodriguez and I was excited at the time of the hire.

Then along comes Utah one Saturday afternoon, and I hated it. I didn't hate it because we lost. Most Michigan fans had realistic expectations last year.

I was expecting that they would struggle. I just hated the new look.

I hated it because it was not the Michigan I grew up watching. It wasn't the team that would line up and knock you off the ball. It wasn't the team that would attack you right at the heart of your defense and make you prove your toughness.

It wasn't Michigan.

It was like I knew what I would see and thought I would like it, but the truth is I hated it.

So now Rich Rodriguez is building and implementing his system with his recruits. I am sure the program will see improvement this year. Next year it could be once again at the top of the college football world.

I have mixed feelings about that.

Of course I want Michigan to get back to the top, but I want my Michigan back.