Avoiding the Michigan Letdown Game this weekend
My have the college football world changed.
Raise your hand if you could imagine Penn State being a 24 point favorite over any Big Ten team prior to the start of the season. For those of you who have your hands raised, keep them up if you imagined the opponent of that game would be Michigan.
How bad have things gotten for the Michigan program? Fans here are actually worried of this being the letdown game before the epic showdown with the Buckeyes next weekend. A dismantling of a Badger team at Madison under the lights last weekend only further exacerbates our paranoia.
What would annually be the marquee game on Penn State’s schedule, usually deserving of a night game has become as attractive as Temple. Don’t get me wrong, I’m very much looking forward to this weekend’s Homecoming game with the Wolverines. But it is out of pure annoyance with our lack of success against them than anything. 12 straight years of futility will finally come to a grinding halt this weekend and I am eager to welcome Rich Rod to the Big Ten.
6 games into his freshmen year in the Big Ten, this Michigan team has only had to leave their Big House of Horrors once, losing to a mediocre Notre Dame 35-17. Notre Dame, a fan base and atmosphere comparable to the Big House for noise. In other words, they will not be prepared for the atmosphere waiting for them in Happy Valley.
If this was Indiana, Northwestern or even Iowa, they might have a slim chance of surprising the Lions in what could be a trap game. But unfortunately for the Wolverines, their smug program will finally see what 12 years of frustration can do to energize a fan base. You can bet Joe Pa will make sure 2 seconds won’t make a difference this year.
Releated Posts:
- Big Weekend On Tap for Big Ten
- The NIT End Game
- Penn State routs Michigan in the Big House
- Video Preview – Michigan
- Video Slide Show: PSU vs. Michigan
