Opinion: Diminished expectations or not, some traditions never change for Michigan football fans

Posted: Sep 4, 2009 at 8:00 PM [Sep 4, 2009]

It’s been the Lyle brothers' ritual for years.

The four meet in Ann Arbor to go through the rite of every football fan - the opening game of the college football season. As the seasons passed, the Lyle brothers had children and brought them along, too.

It’s a family tradition - dampered the past few years as the Michigan football team has struggled.

“It’s got to be better than last year, “ Ted Lyle said as he finished his lunch Friday afternoon at Buffalo Wild Wings.

For so many late summers in Michigan, hope sprung eternal about Big Ten titles and national championships. It’s a common thread that runs from Blacksburg to Berkeley, more so than in almost any other sport out there.

With fewer than 130 teams, almost any school in the Football Bowl Subdivision can dream of a conference championship and playing in the Bowl Championship Series.

In speaking with people in the current, not former, Michigan fan base, thoughts have changed. After a 3-9 season, the Big Ten championship isn’t a realistic goal and not brought up except by the most ardent of the Michigan fan base.

Being disgruntled is up for debate as most spectators are just begging for progress.

“I’d be happy with 7-5 as long as we beat (Michigan) State,” said 19-year-old Andy Snow from Sanford. “And then go to the Motor City Bowl and beat, preferably, a directional Michigan school so I can watch the game.

“Compete for a Big Ten title next year.”

This is what it has come down to for fans. A program that would be happy if it can reach .500. A few years ago, that would have been grounds for a coach to be somewhat concerned about his job.

Now, it's considered progress. And with Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez, his second-year turnarounds are well-known in college football circles.

Everything else he brought with him, specifically this past week with NCAA violation allegations, the lawsuit against him and his association with a twice-banned Clemson booster, has placed a damper on expectations. It changed what some fans think of Rodriguez.

“I think he’s brought a lot of baggage to this program,” Lyle said. “…Expectations are high, but it actually has.”

Wins and losses, especially in openers, have been an issue for Michigan. The Lyle children saw their first Brothers Opening Day football trip loss two years ago against Appalachian State. It continued last year against Utah.

And while the Lyles don't plan to stop their annual outing, Ted left some games early last season, something he’d rarely have imagined in the past. And he’s set his goal at a bowl game this year, saying repeatedly “we better be in a bowl game.”

It’s the common mantra for Michigan these days. Not the Rose Bowl. Not even a New Year’s Day bowl.

Just any bowl.

Even if that happened, the Lyles’ tradition would continue. Because even during last season, Ted Lyle never thought of completely abandoning Michigan.

“Never. Never, man,” Lyle said. “3-9, 0-12, we’d still be here.”

Michael Rothstein covers University of Michigan sports for Annarbor.com. He can be reached at (734) 623-2558, by e-mail at michaelrothstein@annarbor.com and follow along on Twitter @mikerothstein.