The Scrivener - University Liggett School

26ers. All divisions of college football have seen an increaseathletic ability. The supernatural college athletes are less of acommodity and talented football players are spread throughoutcollege football making every division more competitive.Undefeated dynasties and hopeless underdogs are beingissued out by an era of universal competitiveness. Even thesupposed weak teams pose a threat to any opponent. DespiteMichigan’s recent performance and the increase in collegefootball’s skill level, the Wolverines will reclaim their throneatop college football.Michigan football is in the midst of many changes. Themost prolific is compensating for the retirement of long timehead coach, Lloyd Carr. As a head coach retires, loose endsare quick to follow. Even for the greatest programs, successis rarely achieved immediately following the loss of adistinct coaching figure. Frequently, the responsibilities of acollege football coach are underestimated. Coaches must developa competitive team between January and August. Theyfight for recruits against every school in the country. Afterrecruiting, they teach the new 18 year old boys to competeagainst juniors and seniors in an immensely physical game.These thorough steps complicate the creation of a strongteam, especially for new coaches. For the Wolverine’s, RichRodriguez and his expertise of the spread offense has replacedLloyd Carr. The traditional smash mouth running andpocket passing of past Michigan teams will change to a highscoring, spread attack. Rodriguez implemented this offenseat West Virginia and restored the Mountaineers to a prominentstatus in college football. Although Michigan doesnot yet have the personnel or talent to perform his offenseproperly, it is a matter of time before the right players cometo play for the Wolverines.Possibly the greatest component of Michigan footballis their stadium. Referred to as the “Big House,” MichiganStadium holds the record for attendance in the United States.At 107,501, Michigan Stadium held the largest capacityuntil 2008. Penn State’s Beaver Stadium currently holds thelargest capacity due to the renovations underway at the BigHouse. Upon completion, Michigan Stadium’s capacity willbe over 108,000 and will once again be the largest in theUnited States. The renovations include two mammoth additionsto the east and west sides of the main bowl. The clubseating within these press boxes will be shielded by largewindows that block the brisk, fall winds and serve as noisebarriers, increasing the roar of the crowd. Costing $950,000,it was constructed in 1927. The stadium includes an extraseat that’s location is unknown reserved for renowned Wolverine,Fritz Crisler. A steam shovel used during constructionis rumored to be buried underneath the field. At its inauguralopening, Michigan Stadium’s capacity was 72,000, but thecrowd has exceeded 100,000 people since October of 1975.The largest crowd in the stadium’s history was against OhioState in 2003 when 112,118 people watched the Wolverinesbeat the Buckeyes 35-21. As described, there is nothing likeMichigan Stadium. Passing under the cement archways,nothing can prevent the overwhelming feeling of beinginvolved in something unfathomable. The Big House is trulyan astonishing feat and will continue to amaze the many thatenter it for years to come.The Michigan Wolverines are not simply a football program.They represent a ritual affair that summons the masses devoted toa single calling; the culture, heritage and tradition surrounding AnnArbor on a fall Saturday. Whereas sporting events generally take upan afternoon or evening, Michigan games require an entire day to beexperienced properly. It’s impossible to truly obtain all that Michiganfootball offers without arriving early and wandering all through campus.Indisputably, the epicenter of the entire occasion is the game,but every part of campus displays something fun and interesting. Iurge everyone to take full advantage given the opportunity to attenda Wolverine game. In closing, this piece could only be concludedappropriately by recalling Bo Schembechler’s famous quotation,“Those who stay will be champions.” Bo’s mantra has grown into adepiction of the entire university. This statement of confidence personifiesMichigan football and should be vindicated now more thanever.Fantasy of a Layout Editor