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As a completely unbiased sports editor from Indiana, who safely claims no loyalty to Michigan State or the University of Michigan (listed here in alphabetical order), I traveled to Ann Arbor Saturday to watch the latter host Northwestern University in its final game at home.

Michigan, the winningest team in college football, had already cemented its first losing season since 1967 going into the contest, and achieved history Saturday by dropping an eighth game for the first time in the program's 129 years of existence.

Wearing a press pass and neutral colors from head to toe, I wandered the sidelines of either team, hung out in the back of the end zones with photographers, gawked at cameras that cost more than I make in a year and tripped over ESPN sound cables. Shivering profusely beneath five wet layers of clothes, I wiped my relatively small digital camera with a soaking T-shirt between plays and tried to blend in.

As clumps of snow fell between raindrops throughout the Big House Saturday afternoon, a desperate portion of the 107 thousand in attendance huddled beneath high output heaters in the men's bathroom, while more courageous fans remained standing outside.

Whether wrapped in soggy blankets or dancing around in shorts and body paint, Wolverine fans displayed more heart through four quarters than the 75 athletes wearing maize and blue.

Michigan's sideline looked like a pack of pointer dogs waiting for their master to take the shot. First-year coach Rich Rodriguez must have been confused by the docile creatures standing stoically behind him, and frustrated with those running plays on the field.

The team's burly mascot, armed with razor sharp claws, a powerful jaw and thick hide, is remarkably strong for its size and has a reputation of fighting much larger animals when food is involved.

These Wolverines seemed more interested in fasting, however, allowing the Wildcats to gorge themselves on three touchdowns for a 21-14 victory.

Foreshadowing the game's outcome early in the first quarter, Michigan safety Stevie Brown picked off Northwestern quarterback C.J. Bacher and nearly returned it for a touchdown, reaching the 5-yard line before Bacher pushed him out of bounds.

With a Michigan score seeming inevitable, the stadium roared to life as fans received a taste of seasons past. But the Wolverines burned through three downs and went for a short field goal, which was blocked to give Northwestern possession with 12:45 left in the first quarter.

In similar fashion, Michigan's 14-7 lead at the half smelled like a warm piece of victory to anxious fans. The Wolverines went into the second half with 162 yards total offense while Northwestern trailed with a measly 80.

Ê But the Wildcats' play action burned through Michigan's defensive backfield to score two more touchdowns in the second half. After that, with gobs of time left on the clock, Michigan blew two consecutive drives to set a school record with its fifth loss at home and move to 3-8 overall (2-5 BigTen).

I headed north with some idea of the winning tradition Michigan fans cling to and the state of depression they must find themselves in as Ohio State looms on the horizon. On the record, I truly hope the Wolverines find the ferocity they seem to be playing without and beat the nuts on their home field this Saturday.

Off the record, I hope Indiana State University rises from football obscurity to topple every team in the nation.

Contact ISU alumnus Chris Tredway by calling 231-533-8523 or at ctredway@michigannewspapers.com.