The only problem or obstacle in the way of Michigan getting all of this redemption would be a USC team that was coming off of a tough loss of their own to a rival. The Trojans lost just a month ago at the Rose Bowl to UCLA, which cost them their chances of winning a national title. Many thought that would put them in a position where they weren't happy to be playing in the Rose Bowl, but that ended up being as far from the truth as possible. USC went out there and just seemed much more ready and prepared for the 2007 Rose Bowl as the Trojans defeated Michigan 32-18. This marks the fourth straight season that has ended with a loss in a bowl game and the third straight to end with back-to-back losses.
From the start, Michigan didn't look good offensively. The playcalling was suspect, and at the same time, the players themselves were very rusty. Nearly every time the Wolverines tried to run the ball, Mike Hart was stuffed for a minimal gain. Then the passing game was barely alive due to the fact that Chad Henne was being pressured so much. In the first half alone he was sacked five times.
On the opposite side of things, Michigan's defense was playing pretty good. Although the secondary continued to look a little suspect, which was actually only the beginning as we would find out later, the rest of the defense was doing a great job. The defensive line stuffed USC's rushing game and blitzed John David Booty enough to hold the damage to a minimum for the time being.
When all was said and done after one half of play, Michigan and USC ended up being tied at 3-3. The two teams appeared to be in a stronghold going into the locker rooms. The key thing about the break at halftime however wouldn't have anything to do with what the players did on the field but what the coaches did mentally. Pete Carroll obviously sized up how the first half went and made adjustments. On defense, he didn't really have to change much as Michigan couldn't do anything in the first place. Offensively, however, Carroll did something as USC came out firing in the second half. Sadly, the same couldn't be said about the Michigan coaching staff as things remained the same on offense, where the problem should've been addressed, and then got worse on defense.
The start to the second half was originally good for the Wolverines. Michigan's defense got a quick stop and got the ball back to Chad Henne with the chance to get a go-ahead score. USC had something to say about that as the constant pressuring of Henne continued and forced the key turnover in this game. Henne dropped back on a screen play and tried to just get rid of the ball as a heavy blitz was coming. The problem however was that Henne's pass went right to a USC defender for an interception. Riding on a wave of momentum, USC never looked back.
The Trojans finally got into the endzone and broke through the Michigan defense with a 25 yard pass to Dwayne Jarrett that set up a 2 yard pass to Chris McFoy for the touchdown. USC led 10-3, but wasn't even close to letting up. After another three and out by the Michigan offense, USC got the ball back and wasted little time in scoring again. The Trojans went back to the passing game, attacking the weak Michigan secondary and found instant success. First it was Steve Smith that went 35 yards down the field with a catch and then John David Booty found Dwayne Jarrett, this time in the endzone, for the touchdown. Just like that, USC led 16-3 as the extra point was no good.
Michigan's offensive woes didn't stop on the proceeding drive as Chad Henne once again played like he was the freshman. Under pressure again thanks to an offensive line that seemed more like a sieve than anything, Henne had USC defenders right on him after the snap. That pressure caused a fumble that was recovered by the Trojans. USC only got a field goal out of it, but came away still with a 19-3 lead heading into the fourth and final quarter.
Knowing that time was running out and the lead was increasing, Michigan finally opened up the playbook. Using the tight end very wisely and spreading the field worked perfectly as Michigan's offense got into a rhythm and eventually wound up in the endzone via an 11 yard pass to Adrian Arrington. With a chance to narrow the deficit to one possession, Michigan went for the 2-point conversion and was successful as Mike Hart found his way into the endzone. The USC lead was cut to 19-11.
The following drive would be the most important in the entire game. If the Wolverines could get a stop and get the ball back, then the chance to tie things up would be there. However, if the Maize and Blue allowed USC to score again, then the momentum and lead would just be too much for Michigan to overcome. Unfortunately, the latter was the result. USC had a 3rd and 10 and went for it all. John David Booty launched a pass down the field to Dwayne Jarrett, who managed to make the catch despite Willis Barringer and Leon Hall covering tightly. Jarrett then ran down the field into the endzone for the 62 yard score. Somehow, Willis Barringer ended up with a penalty for a late hit even though he was just trying to make the tackle as the hit occurred as Jarrett was crossing the goal line. Not only that, but Jarrett was showboating on his way into the endzone by pointing back towards Barringer.
With USC leading 25-11 (USC missed the extra point again), Michigan needed to score to maintain any hopes of winning. The Wolverines did drive down the field quite a ways, but could only get down to the USC 15 yard line before turning the ball over on downs. Four John David Booty completions later and USC was back in the endzone for another score. The Trojans got down the field so quickly with completions of 20+ yards to Steve Smith, Dwayne Jarrett (who once again showboated by taunting Barringer in a way of handing the ball back to him after the catch), and Fred Davis. The drive ended when Smith again made a reception, however this time he was in the endzone.
The lead was up to 32-11 before Michigan added a late 41 yard touchdown pass to Steve Breaston, cutting the deficit to 32-18. There just wasn't enough time or defense that could save Michigan in this one though as USC recovered an onside kick and ran the clock out, winning the 2007 Rose Bowl by a score of 32-18.
Something that has become normal to Michigan fans was solidified yesterday as the Wolverines lost another one of those "big games." Since (and including) the Rose Bowl loss to USC on New Year's Day 2004, Michigan has a combined record of 0-7 against Ohio State and bowl opponents. That kind of stat is just horrific. It shows that there are a few problems in these types of games. It always seems as though Michigan has the talent to win but isn't ever prepared, which goes back to the coaching.
The Wolverines now have to wait out the long months until next September to once again take the field. That is why a loss like this is so big as it leaves a stale taste in everyone's mouth going into the offseason. Recruiting now becomes the main priority as some of the best prospects in the nation will be making their decisions in the coming weeks. Specifically for Michigan, Ronald Johnson's decision has the biggest impact as it's obvious that secondary help is needed. It RoJo does decide that Michigan is the place for him, which would mean that he chose the Wolverines over USC, then he could probably get a starting spot come next summer as it appears the talent is very thin in the secondary.
Either way, it'll be another long offseason filled with criticism of the last two games and also a call for coaching changes, which I'll address later this week. For right now, congrats to the USC Trojans as they were obviously the better team and good luck next season. With the way things are looking, these two teams may be headed down the same path next season for a collision course in the national championship game. Although my thoughts on Michigan getting that far are definitely changing after witnessing this year's Rose Bowl.
