I'll start by saying that I love Lloyd Carr. Why? I'm not exactly sure. Maybe because he comes from the Bo Schembechler era. Maybe because he genuinely cares for his players and his university. Maybe because whether I hate him or love him, he's our guy. But as I watched a dejected Michigan football team walk off the Rose Bowl field after an embarrassing 32-18 loss, I couldn't help but think that Coach Carr may have reached the end of the line with U of M. And I have not forgotten about Carr's 11-2 season. Michigan was impressive all year long. The problem is that when it comes to big games, Lloyd continually gets outsmarted and outcoached. Starting with the 2004 Rose Bowl loss against USC, Michigan has gone 0-7 in bowl games and games versus Ohio State. Michigan is never that overmatched on the field, but always seems to be overmatched on the sideline. If I had to sum up my thoughts about Monday's Rose Bowl, I would borrow the title of a Detroit Free Press editorial published early Tuesday morning: "Play-calling was truly embarrassing." Though short, it couldn't be more true. Of all my years of being a Michigan fan, I can't remember such bland and ineffective play-calling. Michigan quarterback Chad Henne got sacked 6 times and Michigan made absolutely no adjustments. The USC defense appeared to know Michigan's offensive plays better than Michigan did. While I can't imagine Lloyd Carr not patrolling the Michigan sideline next year, he better figure out a way to win the games that count. Though maybe not now, there will come a time when Michigan fans will have had enough.
Is Lloyd Still Our Guy?
I'll start by saying that I love Lloyd Carr. Why? I'm not exactly sure. Maybe because he comes from the Bo Schembechler era. Maybe because he genuinely cares for his players and his university. Maybe because whether I hate him or love him, he's our guy. But as I watched a dejected Michigan football team walk off the Rose Bowl field after an embarrassing 32-18 loss, I couldn't help but think that Coach Carr may have reached the end of the line with U of M. And I have not forgotten about Carr's 11-2 season. Michigan was impressive all year long. The problem is that when it comes to big games, Lloyd continually gets outsmarted and outcoached. Starting with the 2004 Rose Bowl loss against USC, Michigan has gone 0-7 in bowl games and games versus Ohio State. Michigan is never that overmatched on the field, but always seems to be overmatched on the sideline. If I had to sum up my thoughts about Monday's Rose Bowl, I would borrow the title of a Detroit Free Press editorial published early Tuesday morning: "Play-calling was truly embarrassing." Though short, it couldn't be more true. Of all my years of being a Michigan fan, I can't remember such bland and ineffective play-calling. Michigan quarterback Chad Henne got sacked 6 times and Michigan made absolutely no adjustments. The USC defense appeared to know Michigan's offensive plays better than Michigan did. While I can't imagine Lloyd Carr not patrolling the Michigan sideline next year, he better figure out a way to win the games that count. Though maybe not now, there will come a time when Michigan fans will have had enough.
