Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet? WHAT? It's already Over?! Otherwise Entitled: Oh, How The Mighty Have Fallen!

Yes, I'm talking about Michigan Football.

Now I know there is a large percentage of you out there that don't even subscribe to football. And I know that there's probably an even greater percentage of you that, due to proximity in the heart of Silicon Valley, are die-hard PAC-10 fans. And I know that there's an even greater percentage out there of PAC-10 and BIG-10 fans who are not even losing one wink of sleep over this. Who am I kidding?! You're probably losing sleep because your out there laughing your head off and still celebrating over Michigan's performance during the last 2 games.

But alas, for those of us with Maize and Blue in our blood, it is a sad, sad moment indeed. With great anticipation we look forward to each season. Sure, the BIG-10 may not be so big out here on the West Coast but believe me, there are plenty of Michigan transplants out here to have made an impact in a variety of ways (Google) and bond together to bask in the glory of a great fall football season. Especially when we start out the season ranked #5.

This was also to be a banner season because I specifically planned an autumn trip to visit family and friends - DURING football season. I made sure I would be there to see my first game back at The Big House in about 10 years (is it that many already?)! I was going to stroll around campus noting the many changes to Central Campus, see the Diag & good 'ol MCB, State Street, etc. I was going to get my unbelievable deli delights from Zingerman's. I was going to head over to hear the marching band warm-up before the game and have a great tailgate with a best friend. Then I was going to enter the stadium with about 107,500 other people who were going to cheer The Victors on to - what else? - Victory!!

You can also find me at Silicon Valley Moms Blog as JB.

I was looking forward to all of this with much anticipation and then it happened. What happened? Appalacian State! Need I say more? And as if that weren't enough, as if we were just living through some bad dream and the Michigan team we know and love would appear the next weekend, we get dumped on by Oregon. We've fallen so far off the ranking system we're almost like Rodney Dangerfield pleading for "a little respect" and no where close to getting any. Can we say DEFENSE anybody?!

Okay, my rant is almost over. I've gotten past the initial shock, denial, anger, bargaining, grieving, and am moving on to acceptance. Wait a moment. Okay. Yes, I accept that this season is over. I will only watch pro-football, PAC-10, and cheer for Stanford. Who, by the way, has a new coach who played for Michigan - so I guess I'll get my Maize and Blue fix vicariously through The Cardinal's performance this year. After all, there is a team that's already showing much improvement!