The energy in Ann Arbor is still electric. Just days after the Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team cut down the nets as national champions, the celebration spilled from the court onto the streets—and the football team was right there in the middle of it, feeling the buzz and already wanting a taste of their own.

For players like redshirt freshman offensive tackle Blake Frazier, a lifelong Michigan fan, joining the sea of maize and blue on South University Avenue was a moment of pure pride. "It was unbelievable to see," Frazier said, reflecting on the basketball team's remarkable run. "Talk about creating a team—your five starters transfer in and win a national championship. As a Michigan fan, love to see it. As a Michigan student, love to see it. It was really exciting."

That excitement, however, comes with a deeper current of motivation. The football program knows the pinnacle all too well, having secured its own national title just over two years ago with a perfect 15-0 season. Yet, in the whirlwind of coaching changes and transitions that followed, that glory can feel distant.

Now, under new leadership, the sight of another Michigan team hoisting the trophy has reignited a familiar hunger. The celebration wasn't just about basketball; it was a vivid reminder of the standard in Ann Arbor and the ultimate goal that awaits on the gridiron. For these Wolverines, the party on the streets is fuel. They've celebrated a champion; now they're determined to become the next one.