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But Rodriguez appeared to be clueless about that.

The Detroit News, meanwhile, reports that Rodriguez has assigned the fabled #1 jersey -- reserved, since 1979, for the team's top upperclassman receiver and many years worn by no one at all -- to an incoming freshman defensive back (#2, ever since Heisman winner Charles Woodson, is typically worn by the best defensive player, most recently by Shawn Crable, the newest New England Patriots linebacker).

Since there is a $500,000 scholarship associated with the jersey -- which requires a check-in with former #1's Braylon Edwards (Cleveland Browns) and Anthony Carter (the originator of the tradition) to ensure the candidate is suitable -- Mr. J.T. Floyd's reign as #1 will be short-lived. But Rodriguez' ignorance of or disdain for the tradition isn't an encouraging sign.

But winning is the most important tradition in Ann Arbor, and if Rodriguez can beat Ohio State -- and save Michigan from its first-ever five game skid in the blood feud -- all will be forgiven.

James David Dickson is the Collegiate Network Fellow at The American Spectator.

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