The Big Blue demise

Almost a decade later, the first words Jim Tressel spoke as coach of Ohio State resonate as Michigan continues to set records for its ineptitude, and the Buckeyes look to again embarrass the Wolverines in Ann Arbor Saturday.

"I can assure you that you will be proud of your young people in the classroom, in the community, and most especially in 310 days in Ann Arbor, Mich., on the football field," Tressel said.

At the time, it might not have phased Michigan, its players, fans or even coach Lloyd Carr.

Michigan's downfall was slowly set in motion that day, and although its drastic demise has come more recently, Tressel has had as big a part as anyone. His dominance is one of many factors that have left a struggling Michigan program in its current predicament.

In 2006, the Buckeyes were decisively beating every opponent in their path. Troy Smith was on his way to a Heisman Trophy, and the Buckeyes were looking for their second national championship in five years.

Michigan, although not as highly ranked as OSU, was also playing extremely well. Both teams went undefeated through the regular and Big Ten seasons and met in "the game of the century." The No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup in Columbus was believed to be one of the biggest regular season games the sport of college football had ever seen.

"The ‘06 game was unreal," senior captain Kurt Coleman said. "It was just an unreal game, the one versus two, coming off the field with the whole student section, the whole crowd rushing the field."

The game itself lived up to the hype, but the teams did not. OSU beat Michigan, 42-39, but neither team fared well in bowl games. Michigan, who many people thought should face OSU in a rematch, got throttled by USC in the Rose Bowl. OSU lost to Florida in the title game, 41-14.

Both teams were dismantled after most believed they were the two best in the country. This was the first instance in which the Big Ten would be put under fire for lack of competitiveness outside the Big Ten.

Many believed there would be better days ahead for the Wolverines, and OSU seemed to go into a rebuilding year in 2007.

Quarterback Chad Henne and running back Mike Hart had made an impact since their freshman seasons. As seniors, along with junior wideout Mario Manningham and eventual first overall pick Jake Long, the Wolverines were tabbed to be a major contender for the national championship.

Their campaign to bring Michigan its first national title since 1997 lasted all of four hours.

The Wolverines started the season with a "cupcake" game against then Division 1-AA Champion Appalachian State.

Unfortunately for Michigan, no one made ASU aware that it was to simply arrive at the Big House to collect its check and a loss.

The game was in doubt until late in the fourth quarter, but Michigan had gotten into field goal range with a chance to win by one point. A field goal from the ASU 20-yard line was blocked, and quite possibly the biggest upset in college football history had put an end to Michigan's title hopes.

"We'll still be talking about it a few decades from now," ESPN analyst Pat Forde said of the sport's most monumental upset. "Especially in the locker rooms of every huge underdog, where they'll say, ‘If Appalachian State can beat Michigan, why can't we shock the world, too?'"

The colossal letdown forced Michigan out of the Top 25 and had many Michigan faithful calling for Carr to be fired.

"I think it begins with being a prepared team, and that's my responsibility," Carr said of the upset. "I did not have the team prepared."

It was the beginning of the end for the longtime coach, as the following week Michigan was blown out at home, 39-7, by Oregon. It was his worst home loss.

Carr announced his retirement shortly after losing to OSU at home in November, his sixth defeat in seven years against the Buckeyes. A win against defending National Champion Florida in the Capital One Bowl was Michigan's last shining moment.

While Carr's time at Michigan was coming to a dismal end, LSU was on the verge of becoming the first school to win two BCS National Championships.

LSU's coach Les Miles seemed to be the most suited and desired candidate by the university and fans, alike. Playing for Michigan under Bo Schembechler and being an assistant coach there twice made Miles the most coveted guy for the position. But he decided to stay at LSU, and Michigan scrambled to find a suitable replacement for Carr.

Insert Rich Rodriguez, a guy who didn't grow up in Michigan or play there. His offensive philosophy, the spread offense, was a 180-degree turn from the more conventional, Big Ten style of offense Michigan had run for decades.

It was a move that had some scratching their heads, and after almost two seasons, most wonder if this drastic coaching decision is already a failed experiment.

At the time, a fan base starved for success embraced the move, hoping to go forward with much enthusiasm for the supposed "revival" of the winningest program in college football history.

Fans saw immediate results from the hire. The nation's No. 1 recruit, quarterback Terrelle Pryor, stated a newfound interest in the Wolverines. Their new spread offense suited Pryor's skill set perfectly, and he was seriously considering West Virginia before Rodriguez left.

Rodriguez's initial transition was anything but smooth. He left West Virginia, his alma mater, under compromised circumstances after recently signing a contract extension. His roster was filled with another coach's players, who weren't used to Rodriguez's way and didn't suit his style of coaching.