An Underdog That Likes It

Fourth-ranked Michigan will start today’s Rose Bowl against top-ranked USC as a seven-point underdog, a situation that does not particularly bother the Wolverine players.

“We were underdogs against Ohio State and we’ve been underdogs in other games this season,” quarterback John Navarre said. “We know how to treat that situation.”

Some of Navarre’s teammates said they actually like their situation.

“A lot of people go to sleep” on the underdog, receiver Braylon Edwards said. “That’s when the underdog attacks.”

But offensive tackle Tony Pape shot down the idea that there is a revenge factor derived from a number produced by Las Vegas oddsmakers.

“We’re not trying to impress everyone else,” Pape said. “We’re just trying to do the right things to win this game.”

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The teams have now officially reached their showdown with a minimum of trash talk.

The only words approaching a confrontation this week were uttered by Edwards, who has repeatedly suggested that USC’s secondary is “beatable like any defense.”

He has also spoken of today’s game as a showdown with his Trojan counterpart, All-American receiver Mike Williams.

Williams smiled in response.

“I have [the comments] taped up on my locker,” he said. “It’s nothing I haven’t dealt with before.”

Edwards is a free spirit in a traditionally tight-lipped program. Earlier this season, the junior caused a stir by suggesting he might leave school early for the NFL.

It helps, though, when you earn all-conference awards and lead the team by catching 75 passes for 1,031 yards and 14 touchdowns.

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More than once in the past two weeks, Michigan players have wondered aloud if they have an outside shot at the national championship.

After answering questions from reporters last week, tailback Chris Perry had a query of his own.

“If we win,” he asked, “do you think we have a chance?”

Leave it to Edwards to supply an answer.

“If you think about it, USC is No. 1 in both human polls,” he said. “If we beat the No. 1 team in both human polls, what does that tell you about us?”