Michigan 6-0 for the first time since...

Michigan's victory over MSU ran the Wolverines record to 6-0 on the season. In the past 29 years the Wolverines have started a season with six consecutive victories only three times (1986; 1997 National Championship year; and 2006). However, back in Bo's early years Michigan would routinely reach that mark. In the five seasons from 1970-1974, Michigan started each year with at least nine consecutive victories. The Wolverines were also 8-0 in 1976 and 6-0 in 1977 under Coach Schembechler.

In 1976, the Wolverines were 8-0 and ranked #1 in the nation when they lost on the road to unranked Purdue by the score of 16-14. (See post of June 30, 2006). In 1986, the Schembechler coached Wolverines were 9-0 and ranked #2 in the nation when they lost at home to unranked Minnesota by the score of 20-17. In 1997, the Wolverines were not to be denied and they ran the table earning Michigan the title of National Champions!

As history has taught us, the road to the National Championship is fraught with many perils. Any Big 10 team is capable of derailing the Wolverines goal of another National Championship. The 2006 Wolverines have played well thus far but there is a lot of football left to be played. Michigan has only reached the halfway point of its season. Michigan's players need to stay focused on each upcoming game. Chad Henne's response today at the Monday press conference sums up the team's philosophy regarding looking ahead:
On entertaining the thoughts of a national championship game ... "It is really taking each game at a time. Of course we have big goals and want to be where we want to be. We have to worry about Penn State before we ever worry about a national championship or the Big Ten Championship. So we're worried about Penn State and that is all we can worry about right now."

There is a long way to go but the team's goal of winning the National Championship is still very attainable. It will be a thrilling second half of the season. Go Blue!