50,000 turn out for UM Spring Game

Top Units on both sides of the ball look solid

After a 3-9 season the fans of most college football teams become apathetic or disenfranchised but the fans of UM came out to prove to Coach Rich Rodriguez that their program is like no other in the country.

Over 10,000 fans arrived as early as 7:00AM to get a rare look inside the Wolverines locker room as it would look on a game day. Many waited for over an hour only to be turned away so that the locker room could be used for its true purpose.

The fans were then able to see some stars of the past in the first annual Alumni Flag Football Game. Notable participants including Rick Leach, Aaron Shea, Andy Mignery, Jay Riemersma, Anthony Thomas and Larry Foote took the field while other notable alumni such as Jake Long, Jon Jansen, LaMarr Woodley, Mike Hart, Steve Breaston and Desmond Howard looked on.

It was then time for the main attraction as the Wolverines took the walk down the tunnel for a highly anticipated Spring Game. BL and I were there for two things; one was to see freshman QB Tate Forcier run RichRod's offense and the other was to see how the defense that underperformed at times last year would look this year.

My take on Forcier is that he represents a QB who is FAR better equipped to run the spread offense. On foot he displays speed and has the ability to make defenders miss. He throws an accurate, catchable pass including his deep throws. Though his arm did not appear to be exceptionally strong he isn't Chad Pennington either. Defenses will have to respect his abilities which should open up room for UM's other skill players.

The first team D looked solid.... but they were playing the second team offense being led by David Cone who is, at best, the 4th string QB.

Overall this team looks like it will fit into Rich Rodriguez's general pattern where his first year is poor win-loss wise and the team makes a mid-level bowl in his second year. There were fans drinking the 10-2 this year kool-aid in attendance but I'm not one of them. I'm expecting a 7 or 8 win season with an appearance in a solid bowl game.