Michigan Stadium Rededication Masks Current Football Woes

“Every cloud has a silver lining”  - P.T. Barnum 1869

There is a cloud, a very dark one, hanging over the Michigan football program. But on September 4th, the University will unveil its silver lining, the $226 million renovation of heralded Michigan Stadium.

The Stadium, which has been filled with over 100,000 spectators for every game since 1975, will once again be the largest college-owned stadium in the nation. The new figure will be 109,901, nearly 2,700 more than Penn State’s Beaver Stadium, which briefly had the largest capacity during the period of Michigan’s construction.

The rededication will be held prior to the 2010 football opener between Michigan and Connecticut. Already special commemorative programs are available, and a record stadium crowd is not out of the question.

The dark cloud could signify many things about the current state of Michigan football: the impending NCAA investigation, the dismal on-field record, the embattled head coach and defensive coordinator, defections, injuries, and on and on and on...

But it’s perception that may be the Wolverines’ largest stumbling block.  A fan would have to be nearly sixty to remember when Michigan was in a similar fix.  Before the dynamic duo of athletic director Don Canham and head coach Bo Schembechler was formed in 1969, most of the 60's were disappointing, at best.

Except for the Rose Bowl win over Oregon State after the ‘64 season, Michigan posted a 3-6-1 record with Michigan State and a 3-7 mark against the Buckeyes.

The only major difference between then and now is attendance.  Crowds in the 1960s averaged closer to 60,000, which brings us back to our silver lining. Despite every game being televised, Michigan will host close to 110,000 for the opener. So while on one hand Michigan football fans may be restless, at least they show up.

The renovation itself features many new amenities. With increased handicapped facilities, to more restrooms and concessions, fans should at least spend less time away from the actual game. Of course, the athletic department is also helping its revenue stream, by installing several private suites, and a variety of club seats to match other major stadiums around the country.

Other than perception, what’s to blame for the Wolverines’ on-field misfortunes?

While many look at Michigan’s woes beginning when Rich Rodriguez became head coach, others look back at a certain coach being hired at Ohio State.

On the day he was hired, Jim Tressel had some choice words for Michigan.  "I can assure you that you'll be proud of our young people - in the classroom and in the community, and most especially, in 310 days in Ann Arbor, Mich."

Tressel’s first season was merely a good one, coming into Ann Arbor with a 7-4 record and a first-string quarterback benched for drunk driving.  Second-teamer Craig Krenzel, a Sterling Heights, Michigan native, did just enough in his first start at quarterback, to lead the Buckeyes to a 26-20 victory over #11 and mistake-prone Michigan.

Tressel has since won the next six of seven against the Wolverines, and the Buckeyes have never looked back.

The most intriguing quote after that Buckeye win was made by OSU's Jonathan Wells, who rushed for 129 yards and three touchdowns. “They’ve (Michigan) been disrespecting us a lot,” he said. “telling us this isn’t a rivalry game anymore. Well, if it wasn’t, it is now.”

Truth is, more amenities and a larger Big House are cosmetic changes at best. There's only one thing which would return the swagger to Michigan's faithful. And that, of course, would be a victory over Ohio State.