HAIL TO THE VICTORS VALIANT

Is it Saturday yet?

Can't wait until the day I can take Zoe into Michigan Stadium for the first time. I wonder if she'll be any less enamored with the place than I was. I remember my first trip vividly. It was 1976 vs. Navy. Band Day. A 71-14 win. But it's the color (a sea of maize and blue surrounding the green field) and the smell (an odd mix of cigar smoke and popcorn) and the sounds (100,000 people singing along with the marching band) that I remember best and still crave twenty-nine years later. There's nothing quite like slowly walking through the dank cement tunnel beneath Section 6 and soaking in the sight and scent and sound that expands before you with every step.

Is it Saturday yet?

Dig Zoe's outfit? It's a hand-me-down from cousin Emily, I believe. Her momma has promised me she'll wear it for at least an hour on each of the first four game days. If she doesn't, and U-M loses... we might not speak until next football season. Must avoid jinxes. At all costs.

There's another outfit awaiting Week 5. And there's a good story that goes along with it. Until then... GO BLUE!

By the way, I'm pretty sure this is Zoe's favorite player. They're roughly the same height...