The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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MICHIGAN FOOTBALL Tech. Some of them, though, were already harboring thoughts of what's to come. Redshirt sophomore offensive tackle Taylor Lewan insists he learned a big lesson from watching this year's se- niors. From captain David Molk — who essentially fought through on one leg in the Sugar Bowl — to perform- ers like Mike Martin on the defense, Michigan's seniors rose up and led the team. They took control even when Mich- igan was without a coach in the early days of 2011, Lewan noted. Much has been made of the players-only meeting in which the seniors stressed sticking together, but many insist that gathering can't be overvalued. That's where a BCS bowl season be- gan in the eyes of Michigan's players. "New coaches come in, and the first thing some guys would do is roll over and die, but not us," Lewan said. "Not this team. This team came together." It came together through leader- ship, he noted. But Molk, Martin, fel- low captain Kevin Koger, Ryan Van Bergen and a host of other seniors headed out the door for good follow- ing the Sugar Bowl triumph. Lewan noted it's time for some others to take charge, and he's deter- mined to be one of them. "It's the greatest feeling in the world," Lewan said of Michigan's redemptive season. "To take the vibe that all hope is lost, in a team and in a community, and in a national brand … being able to do something for this brand is unreal. I'm so proud of the seniors and everything they've done for us. "Now it's time for the underclass- men to step up, including myself, and become leaders on this team. That's something I have to do, and Denard [Robinson] has to do, and others on this team, to become lead- ers. That's 100 percent something I'm going to try to do this offseason." Redshirt sophomore running back Fitzgerald Toussaint was another Wolverine taking a peek ahead, even in the celebratory aftermath. Tous- saint, running behind Michigan's beaten-up offensive line in the Sugar Bowl, didn't have his best day, ac- counting for 30 yards on 13 carries. He still enjoyed the win as much as anyone. Toussaint noted the victory, a capper to Michigan's 11-2 effort, will propel the Wolverines into the Offensive tackle Taylor Lewan, who will be a redshirt junior in the 2012 season, is one of the Wolverines ready to step up into a greater leadership role for U-M. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL offseason with the proper boost. "I feel it gives us a little momen- tum, a little more confidence and swag," Toussaint said. "We've got to just carry on." BIG TEN/PAC-12 SCHEDULING In late December, the Big Ten and POTENTIAL MICHIGAN MATCHUPS IN Pac-12 announced a collaborative agreement that will enhance the scheduling between the two confer- ences in all sports, most prominently in football, men's basketball and women's basketball. "As other conferences continue to grow through expansion, we believe there is great merit in deepening the historic relationship between the Big Ten and Pac-12," Big Ten com- missioner James E. Delany said in a statement. "We believe that both conferences can preserve that sense of collegiality and still grow nationally by leverag- ing our commonalities in a way that benefits student-athletes, fans and alumni." While the basketball programs could begin scheduling matchups in 2012-13, football will likely need a few more seasons because of pre- existing scheduling conflicts. The goal for football is to create 12 inter- conference games by the 2017 season (though they could begin earlier if possible), with matchups divided by tiers. Like when the Big Ten created its two divisions, respect to historical success will be heavily considered in pairing off programs each season. Michigan will likely be grouped into a tier with Ohio State, Penn State and Nebraska, and could see these four competitors. Southern Cal: The preeminent Pac- 12 program, Southern Cal has won 38 conference titles, including seven since 2000, and at least two in every decade since the 1920s. The Trojans haven't finished lower than fifth in league play since 2000 (eighth) and own the Pac-12's best overall win- ning percentage (.705). Nationally, USC has won nine championships — 2003 its most recent after its 2004 title was vacated. U-M and Southern Cal have met 10 times, including eight times in the Rose Bowl, with the Trojans possess- ing a 6-4 mark against the Maize and Blue. UCLA: Though UCLA has fallen on hard times recently, finishing with a winning record in just four of the past 10 years, it ranks second in Pac-12 history with 17 conference titles, has one NCAA championship, and boasts the fourth-highest overall winning percentage in league history at .590, with 545 all-time victories. UCLA and Michigan have met 11 times, with U-M owning an 8-3 re- cord, going 7-2 against the Bruins in regular-season contests. Washington: Like UCLA, Wash- ington has not been competing re- cently at the high level its long-term history reflects, winning only a single league crown since 2000 (in 2000) while enduring a five-year stretch from 2004-08 in which the Huskies placed 10th three times and ninth twice. However, UW boasts 15 ca- reer conference championships and an NCAA title in 1991, and its .622 winning percentage ranks second all time among Pac-12 programs. U-M and Washington have played 12 times, Michigan holding a 7-5 edge. Oregon: The Ducks do not have the history of the other three pro- grams but will likely join the first tier because of their sustained suc- cess over the past decade. Oregon has only 10 conference titles overall, but five since 2000, second only to FEBRUARY 2012 THE WOLVERINE 45