The University of Michigan was expected to be one of the nation's best college football teams this season. The Wolverines were ranked highly in all preseason polls, and despite a very difficult schedule figured to contend for the national title.

Today, though, Michigan lost to Appalachian State 34-32 in what some are calling one of the biggest upsets in college football history. Appalachian State had won the last two I-AA titles, but this is the first time a I-AA team has defeated a ranked I-A team.

Imagine the emotions of the Michigan players and coaches, of whom so much was expected. Some people were even calling for Wolverine coach Lloyd Carr, who has won 76 percent of his games while coaching in one of the nation's toughest conferences, to resign, with others in the media saying he's now on the "hot seat."

The overreaction to losses like this one are incredibly unfair. True, Michigan lost a game it was heavily favored to win, but my guess is that at season's end Michigan will have won at least 8 games, and probably more, while Appalachian State will show everyone it is no fluke.

Having said all that, it was still a heartbreaking loss for Carr and his team, which made Carr's postgame news conference all the more impressive. He gave Appalachian State credit for playing a great game, and said that while his team made a lot of mistakes and missed out on a lot of scoring opportunities, that it was unprepared to play and that that was his responsibility. Too often in sports today players and coaches do not take responsibility for their actions, and it was nice to see Carr take the high road in a very difficult situation.

There are valuable lessons here for youth sports coaches, parents and players: losses happen, and when you lose, do so with class. No matter how much of an "upset" a loss may be, they happen, and as coaches and parents, it's important that we set a good example for our players and kids. The bigger the "upset" the harder this may be, and the more important it is to do. After all, even in Michigan's case it's only a game, and the key in this situation is to put the loss behind you and work hard to prepare for your next game. The longer the loss lingers the harder it will be to overcome.

This may be harder said than done, but give it a try -- after all, taking responsibility for our actions is one of the biggest and most important life lessons we can, and should, teach at every opportunity.