In today’s media landscape that’s dominated by blowhards such as Skip Bayless, Jason Whitlock and Drew Sharp, it seems the en vogue way for a reporter to create some buzz for himself is to make ridiculous, grandiose statements that range from the inane (female Olympians have no business crying) to the asinine (Derek Jeter is probably juicing).
From this swath of self-promoting columnists comes the latest by Dennis Dodd of CBS Sports, who says that Michigan’s upcoming season opener against Alabama will be the legacy-defining game for Denard Robinson, that “Alabama is how we will remember him.”
To which I say: no. Just, no.
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As of Friday, eight days before kickoff, Michigan is a 12.5-point underdog, which is Vegas’ way of basically saying the Wolverines have little to no shot. No one expects Michigan to win next weekend, and there are few who even think it will be close.
This is supposed to be the game that defines Denard Robinson?
It’s an absurd sentiment that not only discounts what Robinson has already done while wearing the winged helmet, but what else he might accomplish before his career at Michigan ends in January.
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It ignores the fact that Robinson is already arguably one of the most revered players in Michigan history, not only for what he’s done: the only quarterback in NCAA history to rush and pass for more than 1,500 yards each in a single season; most rushing yards by a quarterback in Division I-A history; the Big 10 record for total offense in a single season; but also for what he didn't do: transfer after the departure of spread guru Rich Rodriguez, the only coach who was initially willing to give Robinson a shot to play quarterback.
In addition to all the records he’s already broken -- and there are many more where those came from -- Denard has helped orchestrate Michigan’s first three-game winning streak over Notre Dame since 1978, led Michigan to its first BCS Bowl win since 1999, and oh yeah, ended Ohio’s seven game winning streak in The Game, racking up five total touchdowns in the process. Not to mention that off the field, he’s become a true ambassador of the university in an unparalleled fashion.
Obviously, there’s still work to be done, still of season’s worth of games left for Denard to etch his legacy in stone. Beating Alabama would obviously be incredible, and would catapult Robinson to the top of every Heisman list. In the view of the national pundits and fans everywhere, Michigan would undoubtedly be “back.” But beating ‘Bama doesn’t guarantee that Michigan will roll through the rest of its schedule. If Michigan were to beat Alabama, but lose its fifth straight to Michigan State, drop a tough road game to Nebraska, falter against Urban Meyer and the dreaded Buckeyes, and get left out of the B10 Championship Game, does anyone really believe that Denard’s legacy would be left untarnished, just because he beat the defending national champs in the season’s first game?
Conversely, say that despite solid play from Michigan and Denard, they lose to Alabama as expected. But they beat ND for an unprecedented fourth consecutive time. They restore order in the MSU rivalry. They beat Ohio in the ‘Shoe, making Denard the first Michigan quarterback since Brian Griese(!) to beat the Buckeyes twice. And they win the Big 10 Championship game, capturing the conference title outright for the first time since 2003. Is there really a doubt as to which scenario would be more legacy-defining for Denard Robinson?
In reality, Michigan’s season will likely play out somewhere in the middle of the two scenarios above. But Denard Robinson’s legacy -- already memorable for so many Michigan fans -- should not and will not be defined by the 2012 season opener, regardless of the quality of opponent.
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Leading the Wolverines to a victory over the defending national champs would add a watermelon-sized cherry to the top of a growing list of ridiculous accomplishments. But ending a record-breaking, program-revitalizing career as Big 10 Champions in Pasadena? That’s cementing a legacy.
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