Michigan Wolverines: Hope Springs Eternal....

It didn't take long. With 10:30 left in the first quarter, Tate was scrambling slightly keeping his eyes poised up the field when he effortlessly tosses the ball to Junior Hemmingway and we were rolling. It was the perfect beginning for this young quarterback. It was a perfect start for this team, for their coach and for Sea of Yellow in the Big House.

As the defense responded in the next couple of series swarming to the ball, putting their presence in the Bronco backfield and making clean tackles in the open field, the 100,000 plus felt the burden lift and we began to see the possibilities.

A big turnover and the offense was moving again and Tate, the true Freshman, was making it look easy. The second strike really got the house rocking. Denard's scramble seemed to seal the deal. Hope was resurrected and while the winning feeling seemed familiar, the look and feel of this team was so much different.

Our team is fast, strong and quick. They seemed in sync with each other on both sides of the ball. The little things were getting done. Down field blocking on Robinson's broken play even though he didn't need it, hands up on defense deflecting passes and perfect execution on a 44 yard field goal from a rookie kicker.

We were teased a little last year after the Wisconsin game, but this is real. The offense is still in its infant stage and will still struggle this year as the competition notches up, but on this Saturday we got a glimpse of what the future could hold.

There was respect for the Pro Style offense Michigan implemented in the past, but it is so sweet to have quarterbacks that can move and be elusive. I have witnessed the spread offense that Coach Rodriguez used at West Virginia and it is exciting to watch. It is also productive. We really are just seeing a small portion of what this offense can do and the potential to notch it up as our young team matures should have everyone optimistic.

The biggest surprise  was the way the defense responded. Western's offense is much better than it looked. The Wolverine Defense took on a different personality than what we witnessed in the past. They were quick to the ball, consistent in making open field tackles, hitting hard and using proper angles to defend the run and pass. They were a cohesive unit pushing a veteran offensive line back on the snap. They were ready to play and their effort was the biggest difference in this game.

I was "All In" before the end of last season as painful as it was. I was "All In" before the start of PracticeGate and before the opening kick-off . I haven't been  drinking the Kool-Aid and I am not  ready to nominate Rich Rod for Coach of the Year. I am realistic and  know that we will have growing pains this season. Each game will present new challenges, but after what we saw on Saturday, it will also present new opportunities and possibilities.

The vision for this program became clearer for the Wolverine faithful. There is hope again in Ann Arbor. It never really left. It was just a little dormant and I never thought a win against a MAC School would spring it back to life, but such is life in college football these days. I wouldn't want it any other way.

Bring on the Irish.....