The End Zone: UM, stock markets in the red

Minnesota quarterback Adam Weber dives to recover a fumble as he beat Michigan's Tim Jamison (90) and Brandon Graham (55) to the loose ball in the second quarter Saturday.

A recruiting Web site devoted to covering all things Michigan had this for the first line of an e-mail it sent to subscribers yesterday:

Will the Wolverines turn around faster than the economy?

Let me first say that since mid-September, when banks started crumbling before our eyes, I ve become a CNBC junkie, glued to shows like Squawk Box and Closing Bell when time permits. I m constantly checking the Dow even though I have almost nothing in the stock market and my stomach turns every time I see the average slip further in the red.

It s not good on Wall Street or Main Street. You didn t need me to tell you that.

So will UM turn around faster than our economy? The Wolverines had better hope.

In ending a five-game losing streak by thumping Minnesota last week, you could say UM s stock is on the rise so much so that it s actually favored to beat Northwestern.

But if the market is any indicator of what will happen to the Wolverines, watch out for another sharp drop.

UM first has to prove it can stop the spread offense two weeks in a row and then must deal with rival Ohio State.

Nervous investors would be screaming SELL, but finishing the season winning three straight would certainly give the impression that the worst is behind the Wolverines.