Getting Acclimated, Team Travels North

Michigan checks into the relative luxury of a Beverly Hills hotel this afternoon after finishing four days of early preparation by practicing in the rain Tuesday.

“It’s good to get that week in,” defensive lineman Grant Bowman said. “That’s the sort of thing we have to do to make up for lost time.”

The Wolverines came to Southern California on Saturday, having practiced only a few times since finishing their regular season Nov. 22.

Players said they needed the two-a-day sessions at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo to regain their timing. Still, receiver Jason Avant was glad to be done with the extra work.

“It’s really a conditioning period,” he said. “It’s tough getting through these days.”

Climate was part of the problem. Even with inclement weather, Southern California has been significantly warmer than the 30-degree temperatures the team left in Ann Arbor.

“A big difference,” tailback Chris Perry said. “You need to get acclimated.”

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A few days into installing a game plan for the Rose Bowl, which has been done in practices closed to the media and public, Michigan players weren’t saying much about what they have in store for USC.

“We’re going to bring a balanced offense to the table,” offensive lineman Tony Pape said. “Whatever it’s going to take.”

Between Perry’s rushing for nearly 1,600 yards this season and quarterback John Navarre’s throwing for more than 3,000, the Wolverines have had their choice of weapons.

Avant said it had not been too much of a stretch getting prepared for the Rose Bowl.

“We’ve been playing this [offense] all year, and everyone knows the plays, so it’s not really much to take in,” he said. “We have some new things, but we’re learning them.”

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The team will gather for dinner tonight to celebrate Christmas Eve, then will have Christmas Day off.

Then begins a schedule of daily practices mixed with Rose Bowl events such as visits to Disney’s California Adventure, Lawry’s restaurant and the “Tonight Show with Jay Leno.”