Posted on Tue, Oct 5, 2010 : 7:06 a.m.
Is the pressure all on Michigan and Rich Rodriguez?; Denard Robinson taking national attention in stride and more
By Kaleb Roedel
Michigan head football coach Rich Rodriguez, left, stands next to UM's Athletic Director David Brandon, as the two watch the Wolverines warm up at Indiana University's Memorial Stadium prior to Saturday, October 2nd's clash between the two in both team's Big Ten football opener.
Lon Horwedel | AnnArbor.com
Wetzel writes, "Lose to Michigan State and while the season certainly isn’t lost, it isn’t sitting quite as pretty. And that’s before Rodriguez has to listen to outraged alums who are tired of the “pride-comes-before-the-fall” heckling from the State fan down the block.
Wetzel adds, "So Rodriguez needs this one, big time. This is his third season, but he talks about it being his second in “recruiting” - i.e. having his kind of guys, such as Shoelace and his fellow sophomores. Michigan is getting better. So too is State though."
MORE COLLEGE FOOTBALL
- AnnArbor.com: National ranking, undefeated seasons gives UM-MSU game more juice
- AnnArbor.com: Video of Rich Rodriguez, players discussing the Mich-Mich St. rivalry
- AnnArbor.com: Rich Rodriguez keeps defensive struggles in perspective, injury update
- Detroit Free Press: Gap between U-M's offense, defense one for the ages
- Detroit Free Press: Rivalry means just as much to Michigan, says Rich Rodriguez
- Detroit Free Press: Denard Robinson takes awards, quick start in stride
- Detroit Free Press: Rich Rodriguez sees improvement on defense
- Grand Rapids Press: Spartans' Mark Dantonio released from the hospital
- MLive.com: Don Treadwell, MSU opening eyes with big win over Wisconsin
- ESPN.com: Ohio State S-LB Tyler Moeller needs surgery, out for the year
- SI.com: Ohio State's Terrelle Pryor thinks he'll be back for Indiana
- USA Today: Weekend Rewind focused on Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State Big Ten wins
Comments
Kubrick66
Tue, Oct 5, 2010 : 6:20 p.m.
3 and Out... You still don't get it. RR is going to build his program. He's going to put together his offense and for better or worse the defense is going to continue to struggle for the time being. RR didn't come to Michigan with the intention of "blending in." He has a way of doing things. He blew up the Michigan program and with it went many streaks and traditions. He doesn't apologize for that. And that's why you and some many other fans hate him. Do you have cause? To a point. But you need to accept that he never had any intention to adapt to what he had to work with. He was going to install his system and was willing to sacrifice wins in the process. Now we're starting to see what his offense can do and in another year or two- if he survives the transition- it's going to be nearly unstoppable. At that point just an average defense will be enough. And his system, backed by all that Michigan football has to offer - will reach a new level of success.
3 And Out
Tue, Oct 5, 2010 : 3:58 p.m.
RR is the only coach that I have ever seen anywhere who blames his lack of success on the fact that he has only had a couple of years to recruit his players....actually he has had 2.5 classes...and anyone who knows football knows that truly good coaches can win with the previous coach's recruits... RR is not capable of that and needs "his guys" which should be a warning to any school looking to hire him in the future.
saintd
Tue, Oct 5, 2010 : 2:48 p.m.
theo210-you got it wrong. The d will get burned a couple of times and states o will score a couple. Michigan will score 6 tds and 1 token field goal. final score is: michigan 45-state 28. That might be 1 td to much for state! go blue!
81wolverine
Tue, Oct 5, 2010 : 1:10 p.m.
I agree this is a HUGE, must-win game for Michigan. There's no finishing 2nd in this one. MSU has started to sign state of Michigan players that U-M would get in the past. Granted this state does not produce the amount of talent that Florida does. But, the players who come from this area understand the rivalry with MSU and can have a stronger passion coming in for U-M having grown up watching us. So, I hope that Coach Rod and his staff continue to recruit Michigan hard and beat MSU this Saturday - that will make their jobs a lot easier.
win
Tue, Oct 5, 2010 : 12:24 p.m.
Theo212 I agree. This Saturday will be easier than next Saturday. After a big win, we must guard against complacency v Iowa. You actually got something right. I'm proud of you.