Commentary

While contemplating this New Year’s message, I wanted it to be an upbeat one, an optimistic outlook, rather than another boring review of the past year as much of the media has been doing.

I even decided that there would be no January 1 Fool’s Day nominee. 

Instead, I decided that the story of the success of the Michigan Wolverine football program going into the New Year’s Day playoff game in the Rose Bowl against Alabama was about as upbeat as I can imagine.

Despite being a staunch fan, I have never been overly confident of a win going into a game.  Big Ten opposition is more than Ohio State and Penn State today, and there’s always an Appalachian State looking to knock you off your pedestal.

Michigan faces an extremely tough opponent in Alabama.  I’ve read all the pluses and minuses on each team, but really, they are all meaningless in a match-up like this; like reliving Michigan’s last two playoff losses to Georgia and TCU compared to Alabama’s playoff successes.

I am unapologetically a huge fan of coach Jim Harbaugh, who has given special meaning to “the team.” In keeping with my attempt to stay upbeat, I’ll leave it at that.  If anyone can have a team ready, it’s Harbaugh.

In a side note, I was happy to read that Michigan will wear its traditional winged helmets, blue jerseys and maize pants against the while clad Crimson Tide, the combination they wore in Rose Bowls 1998, 2004, 2005 and 2007.  To me, that is the Michigan look, not all white, all maize, or all blue.

No prediction here.  Just GO BLUE. And HAPPY NEW YEAR to all.

May God continue to bless the United States of America in 2024.