w 0 -1w W- U UV0 0 Up0 0 0 4B - The Michigan Daily - FOOTBALL SATURDAY - October 18, 2003 The Michigan Daily - FCN)TRar.i. Sari II. I[IW1 I IJVJIy ^ L ,JIDrLL ORII1 r (BIG) With 1 10,000-plus capacity, the Big House has the potential to be a very intimidating place for visiting teams tof desired. But that is going to change. Michigan fans have to believe that by doing their part, they can have an im steps to unleash that crazy Michigan fan that lies within you play. But right now the noise level leaves pact in the outcome of the game. Follov Ii Step 1. Become the 12th man! ou're a Michigan fan. Think about that for a sec- ond. You're very privileged in comparison to the rest of the nation, and yet you don't seem to care as a majority. You come out to every game expecting to be entertained with a victory and nothing short of it - which is fine. But did you ever consider that you could win the game? No, we re not trying to sound corny like certain Coca-cola commercials starring Michael Vick. You can win a game. We've seen it. Autzen Stadium, for example. Oregon sure as heck didn't beat Michigan - did you see the Ducks against Arizona State this past weekend?. Fans in Eugene believed that they could will their team on to victory, and guess what, they did. We're ask- ing you to do the same: Believe. Believe that you can make a difference as an individual..Believe that when you are alone cheering, others will join in to create an environment even louder than Autzen Stadium (imagine standing next to a 747-jet engine). Believe that when Michigan is on defense, you can create a noise so loud that it forces multiple timeouts, false starts or delay of games. Just believe that when you step into the Big House, you are the one difference- maker. Not Marlin Jackson, not Steve Breaston, not Lloyd Carr. You and you alone must win this game. You must take on that responsibility of putting all of your emotion into the game - to the point where you actu- ally need halftime to rest and to where 10-degree weather can't cool you down at all. You must treat each game like you are protecting your house with your voice. TONY DING/Daily When you're at The Big House, it's time to put the phone away. Focus on the field and what's going on in front of you. Besides, if you can hear the person on the other end, it's not loud enough. Step 2. Every play is a key play! Step 3. I BtL I MOUNTAIN/Daily Keys on third down are great because everyone gets into it, but every down is important and should be treated with equal enthusiasm. We're not saying whip out the keys on every play, but make noise. S to pit with the keys already! It's a nice tradition when used properly, but it - along with the claw (formerly the chop) - has become more routine than something that has, been thought out during the action. Most noticeably on fourth down (you know, that play after you go crazy with keys and claw) you seem to orget that other teams will run a play that isn't a punt. Unfortunately you are caught up in this concept that just third down is a "key play." EVERY PLAY IS A KEY PLAY! Teams can score on first and second down, too. What this means for you is that you need to make every play - especially when the Wolverines are on defense - as if it were to decide the game, mainly because it could. You might be asking yourself, "What are the best ways to make every play seem like the last play?" Well, this is why we're here. First of all, jump up and down. We're not, talking big jumps, but keep your body moving (try lifting your heels rapidly while keeping your toes on the bench). Secondly, eyes are to be on the field at all times. No cell phones (call people at halftime), no second- hand discussions about the post-game party ... just football, baby. Third, what happens in the past is the past. Just because Michigan gives up a touchdown does not mean you have to give up your volume level. Until all plays have been run, you are focused on the game. Finally, just be loud. Be loud until you lose your voice - only to get it back for the next game. Just go insane with your friends the same way you've been going nuts for the Chicago Cubs. Don't let up. Don't ever let up. Come to cheer for 60 minutet! T his rule may not seem that important, and it can be the hardest to follow, especially in a blowout. But still, it can make a big difference. The only thing better than a packed Michigan Stadium for kickoff is a packed Michigan Stadium at the end of the fourth quarter. Look at it this way. Even when the Wolverines are leading by 30-plus going into the fourth quarter, they have to play until the end of the game. There is no special rule saying players can leave the game early if they're winning by a ton. So fans should take this mentality to heart and really look at themselves as a member of the team. And if the Wolverines are down, you never know what can happen. Leave early, and you could be missing the greatest comeback in Michigan history. Just ask those fans who turned off this past wekeend's game against Minnesota at the end of the third quarter. Whoops! The rundown Michigan fans have many cheering tradi- tions, and several of these are classic and should never change. But there is always room for inprovement, The Helicopter Waving the hats around during kickoffs is a good way to start the game, and this cheer should stay as is. It's a good start, but the key is to stay energized after it. The Chop The third-down chop is no good. It's time to replace it with the claw. It's the same idea, but instead of extending your flat hand out in front of you, curl your fingers, and claw away. This should definitely get the people around you going. The Wave This is another great Michigan Stadium tradition - especially when you get through every single form. But it must be used catiously. For example, if the game is close in the third quarter, watch it. Don't stop watching or cheering at the top of your lungs just to make sure you don't do the fast wave when the students are calling for the slow-motion wave. Step 4. Set an example for Michigan alumni! - Taunting is heavily er TONY DING/Daily The Michigan alumni on first down. N otice a difference between these two pictures. Just because the Michigan alumni take up 70 percent of the Big House doesn't mean they should dictate the noise level. It should be the Michigan students who let the alumni know how loud the crowd is going to be on eve play. And if you're an alum who breaks this mold encourage those around you to forget who they are on Saturday after- noon's and become part of the Michigan football experience. Encorage them to get crazy. Encourage them to cheer all the time. The students alone cannot make the Big House reach its noise-level potential. The only way that can happen is if all 110,000-plus get up and get loud. Just think of the ossibilities. Oregon was deafening, and they only had 60,000 people packed in. I And always rem - The Oregon alumni on first down. BRETT MOUNTAIN/Daily "Creativity" is definitely- encouraged"