8 - Wednesday, December 13, 2006
The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com
'M' aims to end bowl
drought in Pasadena
By STEPHANIE WRIGHT
Daily Sports Editor
In the past four years, Michigan has won two Big
Ten titles and had players win numerous postseason
awards - including a fair share of All-America hon-
ors.
But it hasn't won a bowl game.
The third-ranked Wolverines will get a chance to
reverse that trend when they take on No. 8 Southern
Cal in the Rose Bowl on New Year's Day.
More than likely, Michigan will also be looking
for a little redemption - and not just because of the
controversy surrounding Florida's selection as Ohio
State's opponent in the National Championship
game.
.Pasadena hasn't been kind to Michigan of late.
In the 2004 Rose Bowl, Southern Cal soundly
defeated the Wolverines, 28-14, thanks in large part
to a standout performance from quarterback Matt
Leinart.
Then in 2005, Texas quarterback Vince Young
sliced through the Wolverines' vulnerable defense
for 372 total yards, including 192 on the ground, to
lead the Longhorns to a last-second 38-37 victory.
Even though a trip to Pasadena wasn't at the top
of Michigan's wish list this season, coach Lloyd Carr
believes those disappointing Rose Bowl losses should
provide more than enough motivation for his play-
ers.
"We're going to make every effort to win one of
these things because we lost the last two," Carr said.
The game will give Carr a chance to even his
record against the Trojans, who hold a 2-1 edge since
he joined the Michigan coaching staff as an assistant
in 1980.
The Wolverines faced Southern Cal in each of Bo
Schembechler's final two seasons as head coach, dur-
ing which Carr was an assistant on Schembechler's
staff.
Michigan beat the Trojans 22-14 in 1989. Lineback-
er John Milligan's late interception halted a Southern
Cal scoring drive to seal the Wolverine victory.
The Trojans avenged that loss the following year
in somewhat controversial fashion - at least the way
Carr tells it.
"We ran a play I'll never forget," Carr said. "We ran
a fake punt on fourth down and converted it, but got
a holding call that was of some debate. Coach Schem-
bechler was a little bit upset, and to make a long story
short, (Southern Cal) ended up winning that game."
The 17-10 loss was undoubtedly disappointing for
the Wolverines. But the game also added to the Rose
Bowl's grand history - a past littered with Nation-
al Champions and Heisman Trophy winners that
earned the bowl game the nickname "Granddaddy of
Them All."
"I think going back prior to the (Bowl Champi-
onship Series), the tradition of the Rose Bowl - the
Pac-10, the Big Ten - there's no other tradition like
it," Carr said. "To be able to participate in this game
is something that I can assure you our team is very
excited about."
And the Wolverines aren't the only ones getting
pumped. Michigan fans have already gobbled up the
University's allotment of 26,000 Rose Bowl tickets.
At his press conference last week, Carr thanked the
fans for their "absolutely wonderful" response.
Odds are the Wolverines will be even more grate-
ful for the 26,000 strong Wolverine fans in the Rose,
which sits just 16.5 miles from Southern Cal's home
stadium.
That enthusiastic support might be just what
Michigan needs to notch its first Rose Bowl victory
in almost a decade, and add to that already impres-
sive trophy case.
I
TREVOR CAMPBELL/C
Michigan coach Lloyd Carr looks to get his postseason record back on track with a win over Southern Cal in the Rose Bowl.
PROCRASTINATION STATION
Michigan 41
Usc 35
"Play of the game -Lead-
ingby juat six late in the thought I had the cognitive capac-
fourth quarter, Michigan QB ity to compete in this game. Well, I
#7 found WR #86 on a 10-yard guess I proved them wrong."
completion on a fourth-and-
four play. Michigan went on to USC coachMatt Singer:
score on the drive, effectively "What have I learned from this
ending the game. season? Mom was right. Those
" Player of the game - thousands of hours of video games
Michigan CB #14: With really were a waste of time."
Michigan holding a slim 21-14
lead, CB #14 stepped in front "Where I'm from, an onside kick
of a USC QB #10 pass and needs to go10 yards for it to be re-
returned it 31 yards for a Wol- covered. We did that, but the zebra
verine score. stripes weren't paying attention.'
Michigan coachKevinWright: " There are a lot of pretty girls in
"This win was for all my critics en- Southern Cal. I have a feeling QB
tering the season." #10 was staringat one of them dur-
ing the second and third quarters.
"After my embarrassing losses in There are no other explanations
NCAA March Madness, no one for him playing so poorly."
As usual, Blue's O-line the key,
but Jarrett could pose problem
By KEVIN WRIGHT
Daily SportsEditor
Three years ago, cornerback
Leon Hall found himself face to
face with Southern Cal star wide
receiver Mike Williams in the
Rose Bowl.
How'd it turn out?
Not to Hall's liking. But he
made the point during Michigan
Media Day this August that if
he got another chance to line up
against a star receiver in a Rose
Bowl, he would change the out-
come.
The Vista, Calif., native will
have that opportunity to do just
that come New Year's Day. He will
face off against Southern Cal's
nationally hyped wide receiver
Dwayne Jarrett.
With Trojans and Michigan
matching up in what has become
a classic matchup in the Rose
Bowl on New Year's Day, it's time
to break down the teams.
Michigan rushing offense vs.
Southern Cal rushing defense:
The Wolverines entered the
season a renewed offensive unit.
Michigan coach Lloyd Carr and
new offensive coordinator Mike
DeBord ingrained the focus of the
run into every offensive lineman's
head, and that emphasis has paid
huge dividends. Running back
Mike Hart returned to form, gain-
ing more than 1,500 yards while
rushing for 14 touchdowns. From
the season opener against Van-
derbilt to the season finale at Ohio
State, Hart has provided the spark
for the Michigan offense. If he
doesn't get going, the Wolverines
are likely to struggle. That could
be the case against the talented
core of defenders the Trojans
bring to the table. In the season
finale, UCLA registered just 55
rushing yards, averaging1.9 yards
per carry. Still, the Trojan defen-
sive squad is young and has strug-
gled to stop the run. Southern Cal
surrenders 97.1 yards per game.
Look for Hart, behind an expe-
rienced and talented Michigan
offensive line, to see some open
green come Jan. 1.
Edge: Michigan
STAFF PICKS
Predictions against the spreadw
for the bowl games
Jack Herman, the current Daily'
managing sports editor, takes
his shot at his football writers,
hoping to hold onto the celebri- Scott Matt Kevin Stephanie Jack Hennan
ties' lead. Bell Singer Wright Wright DaiIyMSE
No. 3 Michigan (-1) vs No. 8 USC Usc Michigan Michigan Michigan Michigan
Northern Illinois (+12.5) vs No. 25 TCU Northern Illinois Northern Illinois TCU TCU Northern llinoi s
No. 19 BYU (-4)vs Oregon Oregon Oregon Oregon BYU Oregon
Troy State (+6) vs Rice Troy State Troy State Troy State Rice Rice
East Carolina (+4) vs South Florida South Florida South Florida South Florida South Florida South Florida
San Jose State (+4) vs New Mexico New Mexico San Jose State New Mexico New Mexico San Jose State
Utah (-2)vs Tulsa Utah Tulsa Utah Utah Utah'
Arizona State (+8) vs Hawaii Arizona State Hawaii Hawaii Hawaii Hawaii
Middle Tenn. St. (+10)vsCentral Michigan Central Michigan Central Michigan Central Michigan Central Michigan Central Michigan
Florida State (+4.5) vs UCLA Florida State UCLA UCLA UCLA UCLA
Oklahoma State (-2) vs Alabama Alabama Oklahoma State Oklahoma State Oklahoma State Alabama
Kansas State(+7.5) vs No.16 Rutgers Kansas State Rutgers Kansas State Rutgers Rutgers
No. 21Texas A&M (+5.5) vsNo.20California California California California Texas A&M Texas A&M
Kentucky (+10) vs Clemson Clemson Clemson Clemson Kentucky Kentucky
Missouri (+3) vs No.24 Oregon State Oregon State Missouri Missouri Oregon State Oregon State
Houston (+7) vs South Carolina South Carolina Houston South Carolina South Carolina South Carolina
Minnesota (+6.5) vs Texas Tech Minnesota Minnesota Texas Tech Texas Tech Texas Tech
Purdue (even) vs Maryland Purdue Maryland Purdue Purdue Purdue
Navy (+6) vs No. 23 Boston College Boston College Boston College Boston College Navy Boston College
Iowa (+11) vs No. 18 Texas lowa Texas Iowa Texas Texas
No. 14 Virginia Tech (-) vs Georgia Virginia Tech Virginia Tech Virginia Tech Virginia Tech Virginia Tech
Nevada (+3) vs Miami (FL) Miami (FL) Miami (FL) Miami (FL) Miami (FL) Miami (FL)
Penn State (+4.5) vs No. 17 Tennessee Tennessee Penn State Tennessee Tennessee Tennessee
No. 22 Nebraska (+3) vs No.10 Auburn Auburn Auburn Nebraska Auburn Auburn
No. 6 Wisconsin (+1.5) vs No,.12 Arkansas Arkansas Wisconsin Wisconsin Arkansas Arkansas
Georgia Tech (+7) vs No.13 West Virginia West Virginia West Virginia Georgia Tech West Virginia West Virginia
No. 9 Boise State (+7.5) vs No.7 Oklahoma Boise State Oklahoma Oklahoma Oklahoma Oklahoma
No.15 Wake Forest (+10) vs No. 5 Louisville Louisville Louisville Louisville Wake Forest Louisville
No.11 Notre Dame (+8.5) vs No. 4 LSU Notre Dame LSU LSU LSU LSU
Western Michigan (+8) vs Cincinnati Cincinnati Cincinnati Cincinnati Western Michigan Cincinnati
Ohio (+6.5) vs. Southern Mississippi Southern Mississippi Ohio Ohio Southern Mississippi Ohio
No. 2 Florida (+8)vs No.1 Ohio State Florida Ohio State Florida Ohio State Ohio State
Best Bet Central Michigan Ohio State California Central Michigan Rutgers
Overall Record 114-112-8 (3-7-1) 111-115-8 (5-6) 108-118-8 (5-6) 107-119-8 (5-6) 122-104-8 (6-4-1)
Standings 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 1st
Michigan passing offense vs.
Southern Cal passing defense:
With more than six weeks
between games for the Wol-
verines, the aerial aspect of
their attack could be the rusti-
est. Toward the latter half of
the season, quarterback Chad
Henne and his receivers were
able to come together to form
a formidable deep attack. But
the long layoff could hurt their
timing. The good news is wide
receiver Adrian Arrington no
longer has to worry about court
dates, as the charges of domes-
tic violence were dropped. With
Arrington crossing the middle
and speedster Mario Man-
ningham stretching the Trojan
defense, Michigan may be able
to move the ball through the air.
But, Southern Cal's defensive
strength lies in its secondary.
Cornerback Thomas Terrell
and safety Taylor Mays have
combined for five interceptions
on the season, and the Trojans
give up just 196.1 passing yards
per game. Dallas Sartz anchors
a talented linebacking corps
that could cause havoc with
the aggressive blitzing pack-
age Trojan coach Pete Carroll
likes to bring. Still, Michigan
can pick up the blitz, and Hart's
work should open up the field
for Henne to air it out.
Edge: Michigan
Michigan rushing defense
vs. Southern Cal rushing
offense:
Michigan fans saw something
rare in Ohio Stadium on Nov. IS:
The opposing team breaking off
rushes for more than 50 yards.
With so much time to dwell on
the big plays, the Wolverine front
seven should come out itching to
get its payback against Southern
Cal. Stopping the Trojan rushing
attack will be key for Michigan
to corral an explosive Southern
Cal offense. If the Trojans can
get their running game started,
it makes it easier for them to
throw the balldeep. Running
back Chauncey Washington
leads the team with 736 yards
on the season, mostly gained up
the middle, where the Michigan
defense is strongest. The Wol-
verines should be able to stop the
Trojan ground game, especiallyif
the highly touted Michigan front
four has anything to say about it.
Edge: Michigan
Michigan passing defense
vs. Southern Cal passing
offense:
All year long, the Michigan
secondary has been bombarded
with questions as the weak link
for the Wolverines. And Buck-
eye quarterback Troy Smith
and his receivers just added
to the barrage. Ohio State got
whatever it needed through
the air, as Smith picked on cor-
nerback Johnny Sears and even
burned Hall when he connected
with Ted Gino Jr., on a second-
quarter touchdown. Look for
an even more talented South-
ern Cal wide receiver corps
See TROJANS, Page 9
A.
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