Three Cheers For The Little Guy

There is a strong belief this country in what I call the American Myth. The belief that the little guy can overcome enormous obstacles and win against all odds, regardless of the humbleness of their background. The belief that with hard work, dedication and the will to achieve that you can accomplish anything. This myth has been perpetuated by our schools, and entertainment. Indeed we are bombarded by movies showing us how inner city kids can overcome the enormous odds that are stacked against them: poverty, drug use, teen pregnancy, gang violence, illiteracy, etc. by learning calculus from Edward James Olmos. Let's take a real look at it. How many Presidents of the United States did not graduate from an Ivy League university or were not influential war heroes? How many Presidents of the United States have not been white males? This country is theoretically founded on the belief that all men are created equal, but that equality is an illusion. Those of privileged status have the upper hand. The rich get richer while the poor get poorer. The gap between the wealthy and the destitute in this country is the widest that is has ever been, and the middle class are being squeezed, resulting in an exacerbation of this condition.

It was upon this cynical stage that I witnessed something today that gave me pause. An actual accomplishment of the American Myth. I speak of the victory of Appalachian State University's football team over the Wolverines of the University of Michigan. More significant than that, the game was played upon the hallowed turf of Michigan Stadium, the Big House itself. The Michigan Wolverines entered the 2007 season ranked #5 in the AP football poll. They were even touted to be the odds-on favorite to win the Big 10 and play in the national championship game. The Wolverines came into the game winners of 12 of their last 13 home openers, and they had never played against a Division 1-AA team and lost. In fact, until that time, no top 25 team had ever been beaten by a 1-AA team. Ever. Enter the Mountaineers of Appalachian State. I had to go to Google Maps to find where Boone, NC is (87 miles west of Winston-Salem, NC). Now the Mountaineers are no slouch 1-AA team, they have won the national championship at that level for the last 2 years in a row. But let's be honest, there are no high school prep all-starts playing football at Appalachian State.

I have always been critical of the tradition in college football to schedule a woefully overmatched division 1-AA team as the first game of the season. An opportunity for the big beefy guys to chew up and spit out the poos schmoes on the other team as a tune-up for the conference schedule. A way to run up the score and make the alumni chuckle and hand over lots of chash. Boise State University was no different. They annihilated Weber State University 56-7 last Thursday (the touchdown Weber State scored was when they put in the marching band in the game in favor of the 3rd stringers late in the 4th quarter. The marching band scored 10 points of their own). If teams really want to compete for a national championship, then they should play tough schedules and win all of their games. It's that simple. Man up and play the big teams for your non-conference schedule to prove that you're worth all of the hype. Well, it appears that the scheduling gurus in Ann Arbor got a little more than what they bargained for. Appalachian State just gave Penn State, Ohio State and all of the other teams in the Big 10 the blueprints to dismantle the Wolverines. I wouldn't be surprised if Michigan loses 3 more games (Penn State, Wisconsin, Ohio State) and finish 8-4 and get a bid to play in the We Suck Bowl against San Jose State.

The Mountaineers of Appalaichan State have changed my view of the American Myth. It truly is possible for a David to slay a Goliath. The Wolverines can make all the excuses they want, but the bottom line is that a team of men with nothing to lose came into their house, played harder, executed better, and walked away with the greatest upset in the history of college football. I'm awaiting the coach's resignation, as should the athletic director. Michigan's season is over. Every player on the team will forever be remembered at "the team that lost to Appalaichan State." Congratulations to the Appalaichan State Mountaineers. You have changed me from dismissing the American Myth to being a believer in the American Dream. I have also now decided to move to the great state of North Carolina, incubator of greatness and the proving ground where those who want to seize the American Dream can find what it takes to become truly special. I plan to go online and apply to graduate school at Appalachian State University first thing on Tuesday!