No. 17-ranked Missouri, in a huge upset, lost to Troy 24-14. This was a game in which the Tigers' offense tanked the entire second half. However, in the biggest blowout in terms of ranked teams, Fresno State blew the doors off of Kansas State, 45-21. No question that the Kansas State loss to Marshall last year in Manhattan is no fluke now.
But the biggest stunner of the day was Notre Dame upsetting No. 7-ranked Michigan, 30-23. After the way that Notre Dame lost to Air Force the week before, 20-17, I almost could not believe the way that Notre Dame started scoring all those second-half points against Michigan and winning. But now that I think about it, I am not all that surprised Michigan lost.
I mean, two years ago, Michigan did lose to Notre dame in Notre Dame, 25-23, right?
In that game, Michigan was the higher-ranked team, right?
In that game, the Notre Dame defense held off the Michigan offense, right?
If that does not clear it up why Michigan lost, then nothing will.
No question that Tyrone Willingham earned a temporary reprieve by beating Michigan again. In fact, it could be a launching point for Notre Dame to possibly have a winning season. Remember two years ago after they beat Michigan, who did they face? Michigan State, and they ended up winning that game. Back then, Michigan State was very talented with Charles Rogers at wide receiver and Jeff Smoker at quarterback. With Rutgers beating Michigan State, you think Notre Dame has a chance now?
They have more than a chance. They can actually pull it off.
Now I am not going to get ahead of myself and say Notre Dame will have a successful season. I mean they only play the hardest schedule in the nation. As an Ohio State fan, I think they should go to the Big East, but that is for another time.
As for Michigan, this loss has to sting because it ruined any shot of them winning a national championship. Losing to an unranked team can hurt a lot. Then again, last season, they lost at Oregon, but still won the Big 10 title. No doubt they can still win the Big 10, but with Iowa and Ohio State still undefeated, they are behind the eight ball early.
Yeah, I know that USC and LSU split the title after losing one game, but they were at the top of the rankings when they lost early. Michigan lost when they were ranked No. 7 in the nation. They lost at the wrong time.
Michigan also better note that their team is not the same as last year's team. No John Navarre, no Chris Perry, and they have an unproven offense. They have time to straighten things out, but Iowa and Ohio State are very good teams in the weak Big 10. They could finish third in that conference if they play like they did against Notre Dame.
Michigan has woken up the echoes. The whispers of being overrated are starting to get louder.
Leave a Comment