Drums Of Doom Along The Huron

DRUMS ALONG THE HURON

Yes, fans, you've been able to sense them all week, the sounds of booming percussion in the background, slow and growing faster, louder, more syncopated, metaphorical tympanis of gourd and sinew. Booming in your mind's ears. Yes, the forces of misery have been on the march, and the drums are driving.

The spirit of Mudville, the Town of Two Ann's, at least the football spirit, has grasped our nation. Washington senses a losing season as surely as do the men, or should we say boys in blue. Hear them. Listen...one thunderous crash and then another, lightning and storm. Woe is on the wind, and I don't think Michigan's coming loss to Wisconsin, while insignificant to the big picture, is going to do much for the spirits of the little town upon the river.

And it does not help that Roxbury Fleet will be nowhere to be found, still trapped in Two Creeks, confused by the possibility of fatherhood and the predictions of Supply-Side Economics, a subject he just cannot seem to pass. We can only hope! He was almost through his textbook. It stopped at Ronald Regan, but he's been bollixed up by theory, and he's wondering where the money's went. So next week maybe...Perhaps, but it grows ever more doubtful he will arrive this season.

Meanwhile the Scourge is in Denial predicting victory, and when asked about the coming crash this reporter has heard the rumor of his speech... "What crash there will be no crash in the land of Bo. The last few losses where just a little bump". So, the coach, the scourge, with all his millions is out of touch, but we heard earlier in the week that he was seen wandering here and there about Ann Arbor with a shovel and map, and bags of Krugerands... Better than a mattress.

It is not going to be good, or so the rumors say. And recently it was suggested in Ann Arbor that Michigan might just as well cancel the season. It would be good for the environment, so much less driving to the Big House, so much less frivolity on the highways. And possibly the suggestion is a good one...That the economy might be a good eclipse, and reason to just stop, just quit, to avoid the coming losing season.

Wisconsin 24
Michigan 13 1/2