Michigan football returns with Coach Jim Harbaugh back at the helm and another chapter of JC's Go Blue. It's time for Team 137 ... Go Blue!
Michigan - Ohio State 11.26.16
The Game 2016 … JC’s Go Blue … enough said. Let’s Go Blue! >
Michigan - Indiana 11.19.16
The Michigan Wolverines host the Indiana Hoosiers at the Big House this weekend in a match-up involving inclement weather and two teams going in very different directions. Big Blue looks to rebound from its first loss of the campaign, while IU just hopes to stay competitive at the big kids’ table. Coach Harbaugh appreciates the lessons that come with a mid-season stumble, but rest assured he also communicated to his men the importance of continued focus … eyes on the prize, as UM can’t afford another let-down. The Maize and Blue come out strong at home this weekend in the final tune-up before The Game. Go Blue! >
Michigan - Iowa 11.12.16
The Michigan Wolverines continue to roll through the regular season, discarding the Maryland Terrapins 59-3 last weekend and and in doing so maintaining its top-tier spot in the national scene. This weekend the Big Blue Khaki Bus takes the Maize and Blue down Interstate 80 to Iowa City for a match-up with the reeling Iowa Hawkeyes. The final lap is underway, and Harbaugh has his squad firing on all cylinders as it enters the home stretch. Go Blue! >
Michigan - Maryland 11.5.16
For the first time since 2006, November is here and the Michigan Wolverines are undefeated. As Big Blue heads into the home stretch, all eyes are on the prize. The final lap starts this weekend with a home game against Maryland and its new Head Coach, D.J. Durkin, who traded in his Michigan uniform for the lead role in College Park during the offseason. Coach Harbaugh has the squad focused, as he knows that effective execution will lead his troops to the promised land. One step at a time … Keep It Together. Go Blue! >
Michigan - Michigan State 10.29.16
The #2 Michigan Wolverines hit the road again this weekend for the long journey down Interstate 96 to East Lansing and Spartan Stadium. Michigan State may hold a three-game win streak in this rivalry series, but this year’s Maize and Blue have revenge on their mind after the debacle that was last year’s Sparty victory in Ann Arbor. Coach Harbaugh has been waiting for this game since the buzzer sounded last year, and he has his boys focused and ready for battle. The Big Blue Khaki Bus has an extra seat ready for the Paul Bunyan Trophy, which the team looks forward to bringing back to A Squared for safe keeping during the next twelve months. Go Blue! >
Michigan - Illinois 10.22.16
The Michigan Wolverines are 6-0 and ranked #3 in the country and Team 137 is hitting its stride at the right time of the season. The Blue caboose is picking up steam and Coach Harbaugh knows better than to allow his troops to lose focus. The talent, drive and work ethic all are there, and the coaching simply is better than the competition. It’s a great time to be a Michigan football fan, as we look ahead to this year’s Homecoming game against Illinois this weekend. All aboard for 7-0 … Go Blue! >
Michigan - Rutgers 10.08.16
The #4 Michigan Wolverines outlasted #8 Wisconsin last weekend in a defensive battle showcasing two of the best in the land. Big Blue starts 5-0 for the first time since 2013 and excitement in Ann Arbor continues to build. The Maize and Blue pack their bags this week for the first time this season … the Khaki Bus heads East to the giant landfill commonly called New Jersey to face the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. Coach Harbaugh knows he just cleared the highest hurdle thus far this year, but he remains focused on the weekly routine, as he also knows it’s a long way to the finish line. Expect big numbers from a Big Blue team seeking to avenge an embarrassing loss in this trash-dump of a venue two years ago. Go Blue! >
Michigan - Wisconsin 10.01.16
Michigan opened its Big Ten season with a Penn State bashing that sent a message to those watching at home: Coach Harbaugh and his Maize and Blue are ready, willing and able to vie for the conference crown. This weekend, Big Blue welcomes Bucky Badger to the Big House for a top-ten matchup that shouldn’t disappoint. Coach Paul Chryst’s team arrives in Ann Arbor 4-0, #8 in the AP Poll, and fresh off a Spartan road beating that sent its own message: the Badgers are for real. Michigan is 45-15-1 against Wisconsin since the schools started playing each other in 1892, but Big Blue has lost the last two in the series and is focused on reversing the trend. Go Blue! >
Michigan - Penn State 09.24.16
The Michigan Wolverines finish non-conference play undefeated and ranked #4 in the land. This Saturday, Big Ten action commences and Big Blue welcomes Penn State to the Big House for some big-time Ann Arbor fun. The Nittany Lions are riding high with at 2-1 record going into conference play, but Coach Harbaugh and company aren’t impressed with spankings against Kent State and Temple. Coach James Franklin and his troops should expect a slap in the face of reality on Saturday, as the Maize and Blue machine is ready to continue its own forward progress by making it three in a row against Penn State and a 1-0 start in conference play. Go Blue! >
Michigan - Colorado 09.17.16
#4 Michigan welcomes unranked Colorado to the Big House this weekend and the Wolverines are ready to pounce. Big Blue welcomes the chance to avenge the 1994 Hail Mary debacle that saw Kordell Stewart and Michael Westbrook gallivant off the Big House field winner in the most unlikely manner. UM is back in the Top 5, Coach Harbaugh means business, and it's hard to imagine a random herd of buffaloes gets in the way of continued forward progress. Michigan rolls on and finishes off its non-conference slate in fashion. Go Blue! >
Michigan - UCF 09.10.16
Brand Jordan joined forces with Team Harbaugh last weekend at the Big House, and the result was Michigan’s first win of this young college-football season. With the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors now in the rear-view mirror, we turn our attention to the next non-conference patsy, Central Florida, hailing from the not-so-strong American Athletic Conference. The Knights were winless last season, and let’s be honest: their only hope for victory in Ann Arbor has to do with the size of the line at Zingerman’s on their way out of town. It’s all business at Schembechler Hall, with Coach Jim and Team 137 ready for Battle #2. And so is Blue Nation. Go Blue! >
Michigan - Hawaii 09.03.16
The khakis are pressed and Coach Harbaugh is ready for his second season in Ann Arbor. UM starts the campaign this weekend at home against Hawaii, and Blue Nation is geared up for the season opener. A rainbow shines on The Big House this weekend … and no, it didn’t come from Honolulu … it’s local, and it’s got deep roots in Ann Arbor.
Who’s got it better than us? Nobody! Go Blue! >
JC's Go Blue! podcast
Michigan - Ohio State 11.28.15
Will, It's a crazy thing. The noun form, that is, not the boring future tense that simply accompanies other, more interesting nouns...and, no, not the kid from Boston either. I'm talking about that intangible quality that has the ability to deliver success. It's the dominant attribute in Jim Harbaugh's genetic makeup, and it reared its head once again last Saturday in Happy Valley, when Harbaugh's Wolverines beat the Penn State Nittany Lions 28-16. Will delivered.
Where There's a Will, There's a Way >
Michigan - Penn State 1.21.15
The world really is a crazy place...and getting scarier by the day, that's for sure, with uncertainty around every corner. Hard to start any conversation this week without a nod to Paris and the travesty that was last Friday and continues today...impossible to make light of the situation, and too much commentary drowns out the substance as it is...but I liked John Oliver's take the best and found it an easy perspective from which to transition into lighter fare. Thoughts and prayers are with all those affected.
The Road to Happy Valley >
Michigan - Indiana 11.14.15
The Michigan Wolverines returned home from a scary Halloween trip to Minnesota and welcomed the Rutgers Scarlett Knights to the Big House with open arms...puff pastry tastes good after a tough work-out, and let's just say that Minnesota required Big Blue to exert more physical effort than was anticipated.
Bloomington Bound >
Michigan - Rutgers 11.7.15
Two weeks later and the Sparty hangover is but a bad memory...like waking up and not really remembering what happened between pre-party on Greenwood and the 2am Mr. Spots' nastiness. You sleep it off and at some point the memory is a blur...moving forward is the best strategy.
Welcome to Movember Michigan Madness >
Michigan - Minnesota 10.31.15
Ah, late fall. In some parts, leaves are turning and apple-picking is a popular weekend activity. In the land of fruits and nuts, we wear cardigans at night and look forward to East-Coast travel to see those spectacular fall colors – but that’s okay, as we know it’s fall because grocery stores have extra supplies of cheap candy and every other billboard is for a Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte. Halloween decorations permeate my ‘hood (we’re a little nuts, and proud of it), and I’m fired up about late-season college football. Boo!
Reflection … peace … Gopher-hunting >
Michigan - Michigan State 10.17.15
The Michigan Wolverines took the field last Saturday for Homecoming 2015...110,000+ screaming Maize and Blue fans awaited their arrival, with James Earl Jones of course introducing the festivities on the big screen. Coach Harbaugh has Big Blue back in the Top 20, and a nervous excitement permeated Ann Arbor - surely Pat Fitzgerald's Wildcats posed the biggest test since Utah, and the first real chance to gauge the level of progress of Team 136.
It's Time to Bring Home the Bunyan! >
Like a pre-teen settling in on Day 3 of a Disney Cruise, Coach Harbaugh and company are figuring this thing out...players and coaches are more familiar with each other, game-day strengths and weaknesses are more apparent and everyone appears more comfortable with the surroundings...that's right, folks: zippity-doo-dah, zippity-a...my oh my we are on our way!
Coach's First Homecoming >
Michigan - Maryland 10.3.15
The Michigan Wolverines took the field last weekend against #22 BYU at the Big House, not having beaten a Top 25 opponent since September of 2013. There was excitement in the air for what could be...Maize and Blue was everywhere...and then it happened.
Bring on the Big Ten! >
Michigan - BYU 9.26.15
The Michigan Wolverines continued their winning ways Saturday afternoon with a 28-7 victory over the UNLV Rebels, and Jim Harbaugh’s boys are 2-1 heading into this weekend’s Big House match-up with #22 BYU. Hey, folks – we’re in positive territory!
Rebel Yell...Mormons on the Horizon >
Michigan - UNLV 9.19.15
The winning ways of Jim Harbaugh finally found Ann Arbor last weekend, and Blue Nation celebrated what it hopes is the start of a new era. As the men in Maize and Blue ran off the field after a 35-7 pounding of the Oregon State Beaves, Michigan faithful breathed a sigh of relief. Let's be thankful.
Thankful›
Michigan - Oregon State 9.12.15
The Michigan Wolverines carried hope onto the football field last Thursday night at Rice-Eccles Stadium - hope for Blue Nation that the coming home of Jim Harbaugh meant the return of Michigan football greatness...hope for the Big Ten that maybe, alas, Michigan vs. Ohio State would again live up to the hype of the greatest football rivalry in the history of the game (except for maybe the ΣAM/ZBT match-up in Nose Bowl Stadium with Touchdown Maccabee looking down from above)...hope for Americans that football is here again.
Hope Falls Short in Utah...Bring on the Beavers›
Michigan - Utah 9.3.15
Watching Michigan football over the last decade has been rough … yeah I know, that’s like calling Triumph the Insult Dog mildly offensive. Call it what you will, it’s been brutal. The program has gone 46 and 42 under two different head coaches since Lloyd Carr coached his final game that New Year’s Day in 2008, and Big Blue’s status among college-football’s elite as dwindled.
Cautious Optimism›