MADISON, Wis. - Several times this week, Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez has lamented his team’s lack of size.
“We’re too small. We know that,” Rodriguez said before practice Wednesday. And on his radio show Thursday, “We’re not built right now for big, physical teams.”
Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez said this week that big, physical teams cause the Wolverines problems this season. (Photo: file photo)
The Badgers boast nearly a ton of girth on their offensive line (average weight per man: 321.4 pounds) and generously listed 248-pound running back John Clay leads the Big Ten in rushing yards (973) and touchdowns (11). Michigan, last against the run in conference games, has just two players over 280 pounds in its defensive two-deep and undersized starters at end, tackle and outside linebacker.
Yikes.
“They try to impose their will on you,” Rodriguez said. “They’re big, physical guys up front. Huge linemen, big backs, big tight ends. They do a great job of blocking on the perimeter, so it’s a different challenge. And our guys understand it. We’re not a big team defensively.”
Rodriguez said he hopes to address his team’s size deficiency in recruiting - Michigan’s only 300-plus-pound defender, Will Campbell, is a true freshman.
In the meantime, the Wolverines must find a way to beat the 21st-ranked Badgers or risk missing out on the postseason for the second straight year. Michigan (5-5, 1-5) needs a win today or next week against No. 10 Ohio State to become bowl eligible.
“For us to go to a bowl game, that would be a great accomplishment” after last year’s 3-9 season, cornerback Troy Woolfolk said. “That’s how I look at it when I start to feel bad about losing three games in a row.”
Michigan has lost three straight overall and its last five Big Ten games - it’s lone October win was a 63-6 stomping of Delaware State - in a haze of turnovers, big plays and second-half meltdowns.
Purdue struck for 54- and 35-yard touchdown passes in last week's 38-36 win, and Ralph Bolden ran for a 19-yard score one play after quarterback Tate Forcier fumbled an option pitch on what Rodriguez called “an easy read.”
The Boilermakers came from two touchdowns at halftime, a week after Illinois overcame a third-quarter deficit to stun Michigan, 38-13. The Wolverines have been outscored 75-12 in the second halves of their last three games.
“We've got to eliminate the big mistakes,” Rich Rodriguez said. “Eliminate the big, big mistakes (and) we're right there.”
Dave Birkett covers University of Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at 734-623-2552 or by e-mail at davidbirkett@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.
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