The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/751827
DECEMBER 2016 THE WOLVERINE 5 FROM OUR READERS SPEARING THE SPARTANS Dear The Wolverine: Michigan 32, Michigan State 23 — the victory was not a surprise out- come for most of us. The margin of victory disappointed some, but not me. If Michigan needs to improve in some areas, then let's find out about those areas and let's find out about them in a game celebrating victory, rather than suffering defeat. Michigan has a powerful defense and a powerful offense, but they are not perfect. A team can learn some- thing yielding 400 yards of offense, and I am not talking about learning that the team can still win the game. There are still several teams on the schedule that will challenge Michi- gan. There is a parallel between the MSU 2015 and 2016 games. Michigan has a great third-down conversion record. But not on the last Michigan State possession of both games. Fail- ure to convert led to a loss last year and anxiety this year. Recall the ending of the game last year. In 2015, Michigan essentially had the game won, and all that was necessary was to execute a punt, al- most any punt, and then hold MSU to, at the most, one play to seal the victory. Yogi Berra, in one of his numer- ous insights into human behavior, stated: "It ain't over 'til it's over." We have all seen punts blocked and snaps bungled, but the look on the faces of Michigan fans in the stands in 2015 captured by the TV cameras at the end of that game tells the story of disbelief that is hard to erase. It wasn't over until it was over! I am a fan, not a coach, and as I was watching the 2016 game on TV, I harkened back to the 2015 game when Michigan could not get a short- yardage first down to seal the game by not having to punt. Michigan this year, once again playing Michigan State, had to make one yard (looked like a bad spot to me on the previous play) to get a first down, but was stopped and forced to punt. The major difference was that Michigan State in 2016 had less than 50 seconds to score two touchdowns to win, rather than one touchdown as in 2015. It is easy as a fan to figure that your team should be able to make a yard in order to avoid having to punt the ball and retain possession, while at the same time avoiding the suspense of uncertain victory. The ending of both games are similar in that the Michigan offense had to punt the ball to Michigan State. The difference be- ing that Michigan had a two-touch- down lead in 2016, but not in 2015. Michigan won the 2016 game. I do not want to be accused of being a sore winner. I love the team this year, just as I did last year, only more! Next year, if circumstances are similar, as a fan, I just want to say, "Make the yard!" I hope they will. Go Blue! J. Richard Jaconette, M.D. Battle Creek, Mich. Dr. J., you know the program has turned, when you get to pick apart ri- valry road wins, rather than severe beat- downs or narrow home victories over the likes of Akron. Be Heard! Send your letters to: Wolverine Letters • P.O. Box 1304 Ann Arbor, MI 48106 Or e-mail: jborton@thewolverine.com Letters may be edited for clarity or length. southbendwoodworks.com s your house painted blue and maize? Do you think of the Wolverines as your family? Were your children's fi rst words "Go Blue"? Our U-M products, handcrafted in the heartland of the United States, are just the thing for you. Visit southbendwoodworks.com to bring home a unique piece of our University of Michigan Collection and show your Michigan Pride! PUT A LITTLE WOLVERINE UNDER THE TREE. Our University of Michigan Collection is available at southbendwoodworks.com. Enter coupon code BIGHOUSE2016 at checkout for a 10% discount! WOLVERINE WOLVERINE