It's been a long year for Michigan fans since last year's 35-17 thrashing by Notre Dame. They've had to get used to a new coach, deal with a possible scandal from that new coach's regime and attempt to feel good about a team that won just three games a season ago.
To learn more about the psyche of Wolverines fans, I e-mailed Brian Cook, the editor of the popular Michigan blog -- MGOBLOG. The following is our e-mail conversation:
Is the Notre Dame game still the most important rivalry for Michigan fans aside from Ohio State?
Brian Cook: Notre Dame has always run neck-and-neck with Michigan State, and this year... actually, if I had to pick one other game to win this year, it would be Michigan State. The instate chorus of OMG Spartan DOMINANCE has reached an annoying fever pitch. It would be nice to swat that. Long term, though, yes, Notre Dame is and remains a solid #2.
Have you noticed that fans are more excited about this game than usual?
BC: Absolutely. The MGoBoard has been moving so fast it generates heat. People have been mocking up MS Paint replicas of everything. The NCAA accusations and the 3-9 season and all the hype over the new kids have people pumped up to put all that behind them.
Do you think the rivalry has lost some of its luster?
BC: Also absolutely. The last two games have been one-sided stinkers featuring horrible teams on one side of the ball or the other, and Notre Dame hasn't been nationally relevant for over 15 years. Even Miami-Florida State's [rivalry] featured a lot of good games.
What do Michigan fans dislike most about Notre Dame?
BC: Other than everything, it's probably the fact Michigan kept losing to them even throughout the Willingham/Davie eras.
Is Jimmy Claussen the most disliked ND quarterback in rent memory, or has there been another?
BC: I think it's probably Jimmah. Emu, college football hall of fame, etc.
If Rodriguez doesn't win this week, will the proverbial hot seat get even hotter for him, or is that a media creation?
BC: Well, in some small sense, any loss makes any coach's job more tenuous. So yes. But I don't think RR is in serious jeopardy of losing his job unless they just crater again this year, and if Michigan loses a close, well-played game there won't be too many grumbles. A blowout would get people doubting.
From what you've seen, how have most fans responded since the Free-Press broke the alleged scandal?
BC: The vast majority think the Free Press punches dolphins, and have expressed this via signs.
Does he still have the support for a majority of the fan base or do more fans want a change now?
BC: Parodoxically, the heat has caused Michigan fans to get behind Rodriguez in a way they weren't last year. There were some clock screwups at one point against Western Michigan that caused a delay, and during that time the student section started chanting Rodriguez's name, which was then egged on by the players, and then spread to the rest of the crowd.
After one game, what should Notre Dame fear the most against the Wolverines?
BC: Getting crushed up the middle. Nevada's starting tailback got 6.3 [yards per carry], and their DT pairing doesn't look very good. Last year Michigan shredded ND on the ground, too.
What do you think is Michigan's biggest weakness right now?
BC: Defensive depth. Once you get past the starting 11 it is scary.
What is your most favorite memory from any ND/Michigan game?
BC: In 1997, Michigan fumbled three times on their side of the field while leading by one score. Each time, Notre Dame came away with nothing.
What is your prediction for Saturday's game?
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