TEN MOST MISERABLE LLOYD CARR MOMENTS

As Michigan fans, we always talk about how tough we've got it. How many times have you heard someone say, "Only Michigan"? The thing is, it's true. I don't want to hear people talk about how we've been to 3 of the last 4 Rose Bowls and how most schools would kill to go 7-5, as we did in 2005.

We are tortured souls. Period.

And to prove it, we're counting down the most painful, gut-wrenching, "I want to punch myself in the face" moments during Lloyd Carr's illustrious 13 years as our football coach.

Warning: This can be difficult to digest all at once. Steer clear of sharp objects and ledges.

10. "Forget the Alamo" - 2005 Alamo Bowl (Dec. 28, 2005)
After blowing an 11-point lead to Nebraska and (gasp!) Bill Callahan, Michigan tricks Big Red into thinking the game is over before Tyler Ecker streaks down the sideline for a potential game-winning touchdown. Even with only 2 Huskers still playing, Big Blue still can't score; Ecker runs out of bounds as time expires instead of lateraling the to a wide-open Steve Breaston.



9. "Dorsch is a Douche" - Michigan at Purdue (Oct. 7, 2000)
After storming out to a commanding 28-10 halftime lead led by Drew Henson, A-Train and David Terrell, Carr inexplicably goes into conservative mode the entire second half. Michigan scores just 3 more points, but the Wolverines appear to escape with the victory after Travis Dorsch yanks a 32-yard field goal wide left with just 2:11 to go. Undeterred, the Michigan offense goes 3-and-out, handing the ball right back to Drew Brees. With four seconds to go, Dorsch connects from 33-yards out for the win.

8. "A-Train Derailed" - Michigan at Northwestern (Nov. 4, 2000)
Let's stay within the 2000 season. Three weeks after the Purdue debacle, another Michigan opponent hands Big Blue a victory. An apparent game-winning touchdown on fourth down was called back on a penalty and then NU's Damien Anderson drops a touchdown pass on fourth down with almost no time left. Instead of falling down after he picks up the necessary first down to run out the clock, Anthony Thomas fumbles the ball, leading to a Northwestern TD. As always, Michigan's last shot is extremely anti-climatic: A 57-yard field-goal attempt in which Johnny Cakes pulls "a Romo."

7. "The Donovan Show" - Michigan vs. Syracuse (Sept. 12, 1998)
Classic Michigan. How do the Wolverines come out in 1998 after winning the national championship? By losing its first two games. This is now universally known as the game people realized Michigan can't handle black quarterbacks. Donovan McNabb led the 'Cuse to a 24-0 lead. Although Michigan only lost by 10 (38-28), it was never close. McNeezy ran circles around Michigan's defense, racking up 60 yards rushing and 233 yards passing. For those looking for positives, Michigan did turn their 0-2 start into a 10-3 season. We'll see if history repeats itself.

6. "Illinihilated" - Michigan vs. Illinois (Oct. 23, 2000)
Up 27-7 over perennial doormat Illinois with 18 minutes remaining, Carr decided to hit the snooze button on the Illini. Led by Kurt Kittner and Rocky Harvey, Illinois scores 28 unanswered points that concludes with a 59-yard pass to Harvey for a TD. Michigan has one last chance to tie the game, but Tom Brady (yes, we even turned that guy into a loser) threw an interception on the goal line. We should point out Illinois fumbled and Big Blue got 2 points out of it! The next week Illinois lost by 20 at home to Penn State.

5. "Tressel Takes Over" - Michigan vs. Ohio State (Nov. 24, 2001)
Who can forget Tressel's guarantee: "I can assure you that you will be proud of your young people in the classroom, in the community and most especially in 310 days in Ann Arbor, Michigan"? We laughed at the time. The joke was on us after Jermaine Gonzales came in at quarterback only to let the ball sail over his head for a safety. Michigan trailed 23-0 at the half and a Marquise Walker dropped ball sealed the 26-20 OSU victory. Tressel is now going for his 6th win over Michigan in 7 tries.

4. "The Jug-ular" - Michigan vs. Minnesota (Oct. 8, 2005)
Just trying to run out the clock on 3rd and long with under a minute remaining, Gary Russell broke loose for a 61-yard run aided by multiple missed tackles. Jason Giannini hits a 30-yard field goal with one second left, forcing Michigan fans to watch Glen Mason celebrate the Little Brown Jug at The Big House. Disgusting. Almost as disgusting as his fake tan.

3. "Sitting Ducks" - Michigan vs. Oregon (Sept. 8, 2007)
If the Appalachian State game is the day Michigan football died, the Oregon game is when we got our ashes pissed on. Is there really any need to go over this? Coming off a 7-6 season, Oregon racked up 624 yards of total offense and drubbed Big Blue 39-7. The game easily could have been 56-7 if it weren't for careless errors in the second half.

2. "Rocky Bottom" - 2001 Citrus Bowl (Jan. 1, 2001)
This game was an epiphany for two reasons: It's when Ann Arbor officially turned on Lloyd Carr and the country realized Michigan was really, really slow. After the Ohio State debacle, Casey Clausen ripped the Michigan secondary for almost 400 yards passing and 3 TDs. We still have nightmares of big whitey Jason Witten outrunning Cato June for a 64-yard touchdown catch.

1. "Appalanche" - Michigan vs. Appalachian State (Sept. 1, 2007)
Pick a title: The Biggest Upset in College Football History. The Day Michigan Football Died. Balls in our Mouth. In typical Michigan fashion, the potential game-winning field goal hits an Appalachian State player in the chest, ending a game that will haunt Michigan fans forever.



Dishonorable Mention:
- 2001 Michigan State loss (26-24): LeSueur throws the game away.
- 2002 Iowa loss (34-9): Markus Curry throws the game away.
- 2006 Ohio State loss (25-21): The entire 'D' throws the game away.