2005 University of Michigan Football Team Primed for Success

At the Big House in Ann Arbor, success doesn't just mean having a winning record at the end of the season.  The Big Ten Title is something that is expected every year and anything short of that would be a failure.  True success, however, is measured as being a contender in the annual BCS Championship bowl.  With a proud history and an even prouder tradition, Michigan football players are expected to be of national champion caliber every year.

As the 2004-05 year came to an end, Michigan fans and college football fans nation wide were surprised to see two freshmen lead the Michigan team to not only a second consecutive Big Ten Title, but to a second consecutive Rose Bowl appearance.  Of course, it would be unfair to star players like Braylon Edwards to say it was the freshmen that lead them there as he singlehandedly robbed MSU's victory that October.   Michigan also had All-American defensive backs Marlin Jackson and Ernest Shazor to help out as well.  However, it was the defense that came up short when it came to playing the Rose Bowl.  In fact, they came up short when they were needed most, especially against Ohio State.