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As long as storytelling has existed, so has the concept of good guys and bad guys.
It’s everywhere you look. Movies, television, sports, video games, books, I could go on and on. The concept of good versus evil is one that has been around far longer than any of us have and will endure long after all of us are gone. With the incredibly nuanced lives that we live, with so much operating in a gray area, it can be easy on our brains to see things in black and white and root for our hero to conquer the villain.
As I spent the entire weekend living the dream on my couch with hours upon hours of football to watch, I saw more than my fair share of both good and bad. Today, I’d like to look at a villain that was finally thwarted, one that had been asking for a comeuppance for quite some time now.
In this era of college football, there are villains no matter where you look. Players transferring to their former team’s rivals. Coaches tampering with players from opposing teams, trying to convince them to join the portal for a quick buck. The schools that are good every year no matter what that you’re getting sick of at this point. All valid answers, but to me, there is one team that over the past few seasons has moved past regular bad guy territory and into full blown supervillainery.
It’s the Michigan Wolverines.
Things really picked up for Michigan in 2023, when the team won its first national championship since 1997 in the midst of a sign-stealing scandal that nobody was really punished for. Sure Jim Harbaugh was handed a show cause by the NCAA, but he had already gotten cozy in Los Angeles with an NFL job for the Chargers.
Then came the scandal involving his replacement Sherrone Moore. It turns out Moore was having an inappropriate relationship with one of his staff members, and was subsequently fired for doing so. It didn’t end there though, as Moore went on to break into the house of said staff member after he was caught and went off the deep end, threatening to harm himself with kitchen utensils. Not a great look, and athletic director Warde Manuel agreed, offering his resignation. Funnily enough, the argument could be made that Michigan ended up winners in this whole ordeal. Sure, some lives were ruined, but they got the chance to hire Kyle Whittingham, a great coach who had just retired at Utah.
As if that wasn’t enough, we fast forward to the now infamous game against Western Michigan to begin the season. I’m sure you know what happened by now. The Broncos stifled the Wolverines all night, resulting in a massive upset as Michigan failed a Hail Mary attempt at the buzzer. Except, that didn’t happen, because the magical time wizards found a way to put one more second on the clock after all of us watching on TV saw it hit zeros. Instead, the Wolverines got one more shot, converted on the deep shot, Michigan unjustly moved to 1-0, and the most pathetic field storming of all time took place shortly afterwards.
All of this context is equally important. Living where we do, I know the hatred of the Michigan Wolverines extends far past just these last few seasons. However, I really do think it has reached a boiling point for the general public because of one or all of the above reasons. For many, the Wolverines are public enemy number one.
And that’s what makes what happened on Saturday so much sweeter.
The Wolverines welcomed Iowa to the Big House for the mid day Big Ten clash on CBS. Most of the game is exactly what you’d expect from these two teams meeting up in 2026. Not a lot of points, uninspiring offense, a couple big plays here and there but for the most part, a pretty boring football game, even by Big Ten standards. Sorry, ignore that unnecessary shot. Anyway, for the first 58 minutes, things went by as expected.
Then came the final possession of the day. After burning all three timeouts to force a Michigan punt, the Hawkeyes got the ball back down by five and with about 90 yards to cover. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one that rolled my eyes at the prospect of them actually pulling this off, but slowly but surely, Iowa kept moving down field. Michigan helped them out, committing a baffling roughness penalty on a play they had already won to give away 15 free yards.
Then, with just eleven seconds left on the clock, quarterback Hank Brown connected with his tight end Addison Ostrenga for a 29-yard pass that put the ball at the Michigan 16-yard line. Out of timeouts, the Hawkeyes hustled to the line to spike the ball. Only they didn’t need to. A Michigan player was hurt on the play, charging the Wolverines a timeout and giving Iowa one shot at the end zone with…
Two seconds left.
The only thing that could have been more poetic would be just one second remaining. Either way, this time it would be the Michigan defense on the field for the final play of the game. Unlike the offense, they were unable to get the job done. Iowa was able to connect on a game-winning touchdown in the corner of the end zone, handing the Wolverines a very healthy dose of poetic justice.
It really couldn’t have ended any better way. It was just too perfect. Western Michigan may have gotten rail roaded a couple of weeks ago, but the Hawkeyes were there to avenge them. After watching Michigan get away with what felt like murder for year after year, a foot was put down. The villains were defeated, and the good guys prevailed. Just like you see it in the movies. It was a real joy to watch, and one of my top highlights of the young college football season. Especially since Missouri lost four hours later. *insert sad face*
Speaking of losses, I am quickly piling them up with back-to-back 1-4 weeks. I don’t know how I’m going to switch things up, but I’ll need to do it soon or I really risk this season getting away from me. Let’s take a look at what we’ve got:
FAVORITE FAVORITE
Green Bay Packers (-3.5) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
If this isn’t a sign that I am grasping at straws to get back on track, I don’t know what is. Full disclosure: I hate this pick, but it was the first that caught my eye when looking at this category and I have to go with my gut. I didn’t do that last week and paid the price. Bottom line, I don’t think it matters who is playing QB for the Buccaneers. The offense has been putrid. The Packers have been just as bad, but for whatever reason, I don’t think they’re done just yet. This is a spot I’ve seen them come up with a huge win time and time again. I really don’t like this, but it’s Week 3 and I’m already desperate. At least if the Bucs pull off the win I won’t be upset!
The Pick: Packers -3.5
BIG DAWG GOTTA EAT
Detroit Lions (-3.5) at Carolina Panthers
This is going to be a high-scoring game. The Panthers haven’t hosted Sunday Night Football in over a decade. The Lions have not been the best defensive team through three weeks, and outside of last Sunday, Bryce Young and the Carolina offense has been lights out. This has the chance to be a big night for the black and blue, and I think they keep this one close all night long. I’m 0-3 on underdogs this season after the abomination by the Chargers on Sunday. I like this pick a lot. I end the streak.
The Pick: Panthers +3.5
BEAR DOWN
New York Jets at Chicago Bears (-3.5)
With the Bears starting third-string QB Case Keenum on Monday night against the Eagles, didn’t give them a chance and paid for it. I failed to account for the fact that Ben Johnson was going to out coach circles around Nick Sirianni no matter who was under center, and that’s my bad. The same logic applies here as two former Lions’ assistants match up. I think Ben gets the advantage here, and no matter who starts for Chicago, they have the more talented roster. One last shout out to Keenum, who was unbelievable on Monday night. Warms my heart.
The Pick: Bears -3.5
THIS IS OUR COLTS
Indianapolis Colts (-3.5) at Washington Commanders
I really can’t figure out this Colts team! They’ve looked pretty solid since that Week 1 blowout suffered against the Ravens, winning their first game of the year last week against the struggling Texans. Now, they head on the road to take on a Commanders team that stunned the football world and the defending champs last week when they beat Seattle. Add in the fact that this game is being played in London and it really is a crapshoot. I think the Commanders riding the high of the win leads to a bit of a letdown spot here, and this is where they really start missing Jayden Daniels.
The Pick: Colts -3.5
GAME OF THE WEEK
Jacksonville Jaguars at Cincinnati Bengals (-2.5)
These are two teams that despite both being 2-1, look to be among the AFC’s best teams so far this season. The Bengals are coming off a tough loss to the Steelers, while the Jaguars decimated the Patriots at home. I picked the Jags in this spot a couple weeks ago, to go on the road in a big spot and come away with a win. I was wrong then, but I’m doubling down. I don’t think enough people are taking Jacksonville seriously enough as a team that can make a run to the Super Bowl. Liam Coen has those boys playing on fire. They get a road win here.
The Pick: Jaguars +2.5
The only way things could possibly get any worse is a dreaded 0-5. I’d like to think I know enough ball to avoid that, but it just took me an hour to get through five picks. I’m not seeing the board at all right now. But sometimes you just need one to go through the hoop.
Cheers.
Last Week’s Record: 1-4
Season Record: 5-10
