A tough year for sports fans across the state, particularly Wolverines supporters
It was a tough year for sports fans in Michigan, and none suffered more than those rooting for college football’s winningest program — which endured a second straight miserable season.
Coach Rich Rodriguez is desperately hoping 2010 is better for the Wolverines on and off the field.
Michigan head coach Rich Rodriguez watches as his team loses to Ohio State, 21-10, Saturday, November 21st at Michigan Stadium, to finish the season with seven straight losses in the Big Ten.
Lon Horwedel | AnnArbor.com
His is not the only team looking for better times ahead.
Rodriguez and the proud school he represents will begin the new year waiting to hear from the NCAA after a Detroit Free Press report triggered an investigation into the Wolverines’ practice habits.
If the Rodriguez-led program avoids the stigma of major violations, there are reasons to believe his third season in the new-look Big House will be much better than his first two at Michigan.
Quarterback Tate Forcier will be back as a seasoned sophomore and his playing time will be challenged by sophomore Denard “Shoelace” Robinson and highly touted recruit Devin Gardner from Inkster High School.
After Michigan lost to Ohio State for the sixth straight year, ending the season 5-7, Rodriguez bristled when a reporter asked about him being defined by Saturdays.
“This is what we do. It’s not who we are,” he said. “If I’m a bad guy because I lost some games and that’s what people perceive, I can’t help that.”
Michigan State’s football team also will have to bounce back from on and off the field problems.
The Spartans didn’t meet relatively high expectations with a 6-6 season, then created embarrassment when nine players were charged with misdemeanor assault and conspiracy following a dormitory brawl that left them short-handed for the Jan. 2 Alamo Bowl.
“It’s a great challenge, probably the biggest we’ve had yet,” coach Mark Dantonio said. “With the circumstances we have and the team we’re playing, we’ll be very motivated.”
The Spartans also had a runner-up season, enjoying a once-in-a-lifetime experience of playing in the Final Four — for a nation-best fifth time since 1999 — at home. They beat Connecticut in front of a packed house at Ford Field before losing to North Carolina in the championship game.
Michigan State began this season ranked No. 2, but would have to win the national championship to top being the runner-up in 2009.
“It’s hard to do better than we did last year,” star point guard Kalin Lucas said in October. “But I think it’s possible that we can get back there and win that last game.”
At cross-state rival Michigan, John Beilein raised expectations for the Wolverines after guiding them to their first NCAA bid since 1998. With most of their top players back, they were ranked No. 15 in The Associated Press preseason poll.
But the Wolverines got off to such a lackluster start that they will likely need to win twice as often as they lose in the Big Ten to earn a second straight at-large bid to the NCAA tournament.
“I think we’ve played a very difficult schedule,” Beilein said, explaining why the team won just five of its first nine games. “I think we were overrated in the beginning.
“We finished seventh in the Big Ten. It wasn’t like we were a juggernaut last year.”
Comments
PortageLkBlu
Sun, Dec 27, 2009 : 12:33 a.m.
Scooter, you told us 2yrs. ago that RR was,"not the man". Well, golly gee scooter tell all of us who's going to be coaching in 2 yrs. and please don't say not RR, give us a name. Good stuff Buzz, your keeping all of this in perspective, your not pouting but rather realistically having fun with it.
mark boillat
Sat, Dec 26, 2009 : 2:22 p.m.
Big Blue goes 8 - 4 in 2010 HAPPY NEW YEAR GO BLUE
scooter
Fri, Dec 25, 2009 : 3:46 p.m.
I hope the sanctions from the NCAA do not come down before signing day. That would be horrible.
scooter
Fri, Dec 25, 2009 : 1:38 p.m.
I told all of you two years ago RR was not the man.
buzz
Thu, Dec 24, 2009 : 8:11 p.m.
yes it was a tough year but remember that most of the impact players were freshmen mostly true freshmen. Next year looks bright on the offense defense maybe a lil surprising to everyone, just need big aggressive d-line, fast secondary and LBs then UM will be good. RR is recruiting some pretty good defensive players hopefully he gets sean parker, tony grimes, and dior mathis then the defense will look bright in the future. his offensive recruiting is looking great especially at QB wit Gardener, and a fast atheletic Jones who is prob like a pat white. I give RR 3 years atmost to get UM ontop the conference and at BCS bowl games. GO BLUE!!!!
BlueInBama
Thu, Dec 24, 2009 : 5:45 p.m.
Indeed. The trenches are looking disgraceful. Michigan's once great tradition of O-linemen is history. RR is recruiting one dimension - speed. Also, next year's D-line will be plowed through by every team in the Big 10 (much like '09), only it will be FAR WORSE without Graham. And don't forget about the secondary RR will need 7 wins to keep his job next year, yet he will get 5 at the most. We as fans must witness the 3rd train wreck in a row, unfortunately. IN MICHIGAN WE TRUST
Sean T.
Thu, Dec 24, 2009 : 5:24 a.m.
I love the Blue but I'm sick of Tater-snot bringing up MSU at every article. You should start thinking about our program instead of bringing the trolls to our forum. Realism is the key because you beat your chest over this "King" we have in AA while talking about Dumbtonio's program. As much as I hate to say it their program is better than ours right now and their coach has used the previous coaches players and made three bowls. Our shiny turd has killed our bowl streak, dismantled our defense and has filled our hearts with pain! I understand taking some shots at Lil' brother sometimes but it seems the more you rag on them the worse our programs seems to be. You invite unwanted critism with your blind evaluations and predictions of our program. I want the Blue at the top again too Tater but let's not even think about the chumps in east lansing.
tomhagan
Thu, Dec 24, 2009 : 12:10 a.m.
Sorry. This team has 5-7 or 6-6 written all over it. The defense will be BAD, perhaps even worse than this past year. That would make the 3 worst defensive seasons ever in Michigan Football's 130+ year history, all under Rich Rod. Let's call it like it is and stop making excuses. This is all on Rich Rod. 100%. Toss in the NCAA investigation and his character and legal issues, and it doesnt take a genius to see where the problem of Michigan Football lies. BTW, Michigan has slipped from 4th to 11th in the most valuable college football programs as ranked by Forbes. Again, this has occurred as a direct result of Rich Rodriguez.
voiceofreason
Wed, Dec 23, 2009 : 11:42 p.m.
Walmartwolverine, Congrats to MSU football on a 6-6 record and making a prestigious Jan. 2 Bowl Game! Central Michigan-Troy play in an even more prestigious bowl game on Jan. 6. At least MSU didn't lose to any MAC teams at home this year........
tulsatom
Wed, Dec 23, 2009 : 10:57 p.m.
5t was definitely a tough year for U-M, although the 2009 basketball team overachieved and was a pleasant surprise, making it to the 2nd round of the NCAA tourney. MSU will continue to be the better basketball team so long as they win the high school recruiting wars in the state of Michigan. I hope U-M can become dominant again in football but the jury is still out on RichRod after a 8-16 record in his first two years at the helm. Next year will decide his fate. If U-M improves substantially (8-4 or better) all will be forgiven, but patience will wear thin if another losing year occurs in 2010.
Stophersports
Wed, Dec 23, 2009 : 9:42 p.m.
And now according to Forbes Magazine, the Wolverines have dropped from the fourth most valuable team in college sports to the eleventh. Attendance is down. Merchandising is down. But that must just be the economy right? Certainly can have nothing to do with the esteemed leaders and best Mary Sue and Billy.
azwolverine
Wed, Dec 23, 2009 : 7:26 p.m.
It has been tough for both schools and throwing stones does nothing to improve either program. I want Michigan to get better and could give a rat's a** about what MSU is doing.
Teebob
Wed, Dec 23, 2009 : 5:43 p.m.
It makes sense. What else can the farmers legally do in the winter while waiting for planting season.