Michigan press conferences: Would beating Ohio State redeem the season?
12:05 p.m. Troy Woolfolk, on getting a sixth win and beating Ohio State:
"The main thing I want for our seniors is, number one, to beat Ohio State, which would result in a bowl game," Woolfolk said. "Wisconsin, we want to beat them too. Ohio State? We haven't beaten them in five years. As bad as this season is going, it would be redeemed by beating Ohio State."
________ 12:03 p.m. More from Troy Woolfolk on the loss to Purdue:
"Michigan beat Michigan that day," he said. "It hurts when you know it should have went the other way." ______ 12 noon: Cornerback Troy Woolfolk, on the differences between Scott Shafer's defense last year and Greg Robinson's this year.
"I feel way more comfortable under this system," Woolfolk said. "Last year, we had great execution, but the system wasn't working. This year, it's working. We just make mistakes. ... It's consistency problems versus effectiveness."
________ 11:57 a.m. The Michigan-Ohio State game will be a noon start and televised nationally on ABC. ________ 11:54 a.m. Tate Forcier, on gaining experience through his 10-game career:
"To be honest, I feel like I've started noticing, since Illinois, the game has slowed down for me a little bit," he said. "That comes with experience." ________ 11:50 a.m. Tate Forcier says he's banged up, but healthy.
"It's that time of season where even if you're hurt, you're going to play through it," Forcier said. "That's how I'm looking at it right now. We've got to get these seniors to a bowl game." ________ 11:34 a.m. Roy Roundtree now at the podium, talking about his de-commitment from Purdue and how it played out on the field Saturday:
Asked if there was a lot of trash talk on the field, Roundtree said, "Yeah, and it was directed at me."
He continued:
"Purdue's defensive backs were really talking a lot of smack about, 'Oh, you're going to drop this next pass' or 'we're going to hit you hard.' Most of them, they were my host. Torri Williams, he was my host.
"He texted me, 'Be ready for this week, because we're coming.' He was just letting me know he was going to try to tear my head off." ________ 11:30 a.m. Rich Rodriguez, on Tate Forcier's development:
"There's been some moments that he's progressed and some moments that he's regressed," Rodriguez said. "I think he's had more positive moments than negative ones, but he's still a work in progress and has to work a whole lot.
"He's only a freshman, but I had to say to him the other day, he needs to 'act and perform and be older than what you are.' That's easier said than done. But he's a conscientious guy, and he'll be successful." ________ 11:25 a.m. Rich Rodriguez on turning around Michigan:
"We need 2 years or 3 years of recruiting classes that really fit our needs." ________ 11:21 a.m. Rich Rodriguez on losing:
"Certainly the University of Michigan is not used to it, but neither am I or my staff," he said. "We're all going through this process. We know what we're in and moving forward and know what we have to do. We can see some happier times ahead.
"It's not a fun process going through this right now, but we're not daunted by the challenge. It's just a bigger challenge than a lot of people think." ________ 11:11 a.m. The Wolverines have been outscored 75-12 in the second half over the past three games. Rich Rodriguez doesn't believe there's anything specific that's bewildering his team after halftime.
"It's just a matter of playing better," he said. "I've always said, whether there's a win or loss at halftime, you only get five or six minutes with the kids. There's not that much time (to make major adjustments).
"If there's something more drastic like making personnel changes, you do that, but it's really just playing better."
Comments
Macabre Sunset
Tue, Nov 10, 2009 : 12:36 a.m.
I think RichRod's leash has already been extraordinarily long. Flash back to late 2007, to the coaching search. What if RichRod said the following: "I will implement my system, but it means going 3-13 in the Big Ten over the next two years, and probably three more years of losing football. I know that means more Big Ten losses than you've seen in the last seven seasons combined. I know you haven't lost six conference games in one season since 1962, and you've never lost seven. But my system is gimmicky, and you don't have any athletes here who can play it. In fact, I'm going to tell you now, anyone recruited by Coach Carr is my mortal enemy and I promise to blame any failure on him." I think I'm being a loyal fan when I say it's time to cut bait on this experiment. I hated the hire two years ago. I didn't see why Carr had to go and the last thing I thought Michigan needed was to hire a one-trick pony who will be obsolete by the time he finds the material to fit his system. I'm sorry I was right. I love Michigan football and it pains me to see the team losing games right and left. But I was right and I'm also right that it will be best for the program in the long run to find a new coach. Doesn't have to be a Miles or a Kelly - OSU did just fine reaching into I-AA to find a coach.
chosen1
Mon, Nov 9, 2009 : 8:41 p.m.
Im just glad rich didn't use Jenny Granholm's line about in 4 years we'd be blown away.....Like I said please put up some results next year or walk away like a man.
LakeErieMaize/Blue
Mon, Nov 9, 2009 : 7:17 p.m.
Pardawg45 says "Who will take a job where they get a season and a half leash?" If they WIN they won't have to worry about how long they will be coach!And losing every gm. but beating the Suckeyes is stupid also.We hired RR for contention for a National Championship every year(at least that's what most of the fans on the site said when RR was hired.)BEAT the Suckeyes and N.C. contention,that's what we expect(and I'm not saying NOW but in the near future.I am a realist!)If that is not your expectation then we should of kept our Pro-Style offense,our 10,9,or 8 win seasons(that wasn't good enough for most on this site)and Coach Carr!!So this is the change that the FANS wanted,live with it.Hopefully in 5 years our expectations will be met!!Until then,enjoy the change and hope for the best!!GO BLUE!!!
albertmacaw
Mon, Nov 9, 2009 : 5:09 p.m.
Funny when Ohio State hired Tressel you never heard anything about give me more time. rr is a loser and his brand of hillbilly high football will not fly in the Big Ten. He constantly is making excuses for his failures. Being a OSU fan life is greatr and gets better every day rr is your coach.
MichNow
Mon, Nov 9, 2009 : 4:28 p.m.
The Michigan Defense: Graham 5 star recruit Warren 5 star Mike Martin 4 star Van Bergan 4 star Obi E 3 star Wilfolf 3 star Muton 4 star M WIlliams 4 star Roh 4 Star Fitzgerald 4 star S Brown 4 star. How is this a lack of talent? They are not excuting, regressing, and making mistakes as a unit. Who do you blame for that? I don't believe firing Rrod is the anwser (yet), but he needs to look in the mirror and make the adjustments for success. He should expect to win every game. If they don't - move on, but have the expectation. That's is why/how Mich has won. They believed losing was not an option (mistakes or not(. Yes, call it aggorgant. So, what
FlintMaize
Mon, Nov 9, 2009 : 4:17 p.m.
Yes, 2 or 3 of his own recruiting classes are needed before we can really take off! RR has only had 1 recruiting class that was all his class and we are still stuck with 89 of 120 players who are either freshman or sophomores. I think we will see some decent improvement next year and 2011 look out!
chosen1
Mon, Nov 9, 2009 : 3:43 p.m.
I remember when fatboy Charlie was going to be the saviour of Notre Lame....5 years later they are still irrelevant in college football. I hope Michigan will not follow the path of Notre Lame, Alabama (you know saban is commiting recruiting violations), and Nebraska (a helter/skelter team under Callahan and Pellini). Rich right this ship next year or be a man and walk away from the money
Blue Marker
Mon, Nov 9, 2009 : 3:32 p.m.
I can't even read the comments. The last 3 years have been very painful for all Michigan fans. I think the biggest frustration is the team is actually regressing. If they improved a little each week you could at least say there is light at the end of the tunnel. I'm not for or against Rodriguez. I'm for Michigan! If you look at other storied programs who have struggled to find the right coach (Alabama, Notre Dame, and Nebraska for example) it may be a lot longer than a year or two before this program is relevant again.
bigfella
Mon, Nov 9, 2009 : 3:22 p.m.
beating osu might keep the wolverines from finishing last in the big 10, but no way in hell does it salvage the season. so few posts on here say they would not mind losing every game as long as UM beats OSU, cause that is great logic. I was in favor of the rodriguez hire initially, but after the most losses in school history and staring a LAST PLACE big ten finish in the face, the man has got to go. I am not one of those who expect to win the nc every season, but I do expect to beat the perennial big ten doormats, not to become one. Go Blue?!?!?!?!?!?!!!
oldmanblue
Mon, Nov 9, 2009 : 2:40 p.m.
I don't think this team is ready to give in. I know they will play their best in these last two weeks and do all they can to pick up a win. Missing the pizza pizza bowl doesn't hurt as much as missing the extra practice time that comes when you become bowl eligible. The Big Ten has been very hard to read this year and anything can happen. Maybe the secondary will have a good game, its hard to believe that they can go six games in a row playing that badly.
saginaw
Mon, Nov 9, 2009 : 2:39 p.m.
It seems ridiculous to be talking OSU today. We must focus 100% on a very tough Wisconsin game at Camp Randall.
rightmind250
Mon, Nov 9, 2009 : 2:35 p.m.
Keep drinking that kool-aid as UM finishes below.500 again and dead last in the B10. UM's best defensive player is a senior. 2010 will be even worse. Half the O line graduates also. The cubbard may have been bare when Carr left, but its been stocked with nothing but string beans.
treetowncartel
Mon, Nov 9, 2009 : 1:47 p.m.
Beating OSU last year would have had a redeming factor, just as it would this year and any other year.
djuninho
Mon, Nov 9, 2009 : 1:33 p.m.
Why doesn't RR hire a special teams coach? He's wasting $200,000+ a year on Barwis when a quarter of that could be used toward a special teams coach... Just another imbecile decision by RR that proves he has no idea how to run a top-level program...
chosen1
Mon, Nov 9, 2009 : 1:25 p.m.
There is a chance in all these final games. Wisconsin's rb Clay is coming off a concussion. Ohio State's K is out for the season and the back=up is 2-4 on the year now. Both Wisky and OSU have great defenses, but we have Stonum who can return every kickoff for a TD every time he touches the ball. This kid is a great returner and can possibly be the difference maker needed for a victory over ohio state and wisky
Commoncents
Mon, Nov 9, 2009 : 12:56 p.m.
These arrogant Michigan "fans" that call for coaches heads from the stands need to be yelled at by the TRUE fans around them. Real Michigan fans that understand football need to make it clear to these losers winning takes time. Rich Rod gets at least 1 more year until any thoughts of firing him should be allowed. Sure, the 4th and 10 thing was debatable, but our defense is TERRIBLE. Most of what I've seen is poor tackling, lack of atheletic ability or straight up missed assignments. If you're going to monday morning quarterback at least use specific examples. All of that said, any year we beat Ohio State.... that is a winning season. Personally, I could lose every game all year as long as we beat Ohio State that will hold me over until the next year. The Ohio State game is like the Super Bowl to me.... and I don't think I'm the only Michigan fan that feels that way, but this year we don't have a very good chance at it....
DaveQ
Mon, Nov 9, 2009 : 12:53 p.m.
You have a good point. Charlie Wiess may be available by the end of the year.
pardawg45
Mon, Nov 9, 2009 : 12:43 p.m.
Macabre Sunset...seriously? In your infinite wisdom, who should we hire? Who would want to take a job were they got a season and a half leash? I am as big a Michigan fan as you are, and I say we have to give it time. I HATE losing, and I wish that we were better this year, but we are not. RR was the best choice 2 yrs ago and he is the best choice now....We are beginning to sound like Notre Dame, people. The talent on defense is just not yet there, but after another recruiting class, and another year with a super bowl winning DC, we will be better. Stop expecting to win the NC every year, it is a process that will take AT LEAST three years (probably more like 5).
81wolverine
Mon, Nov 9, 2009 : 12:35 p.m.
It's a moot question as the only chance we have of beating OSU is if they don't show up for the kickoff. You can be optimistic all you want, but the reality is our defense is incapable of stopping anyone. Quite frankly, there's a few players on D that shouldn't even be out there. Not because they are athletically limited, but because they keep making the same mental mistakes over and over and over. Poor tackling, being out of position, misreading the offense, etc. At this point, I'd rather give some jobs to freshmen or even other walkons just to give them a chance to learn. We have nothing to lose at this point.
CobraII
Mon, Nov 9, 2009 : 12:26 p.m.
Maybe we should get some social workers to hold the players hands at half time instead of listening to RichRod. The team is emotionally week at best.
Macabre Sunset
Mon, Nov 9, 2009 : 12:16 p.m.
RichRod is proving he has no idea how to run a football program. Seems to want to focus on selecting players that meet the specific needs of his gimmick offense rather than picking the best athletes and coming up with schemes that work on a football field. He's a one-trick pony, and that trick won't work in a good conference. Now he's saying the gimmick will work in year five. No, we can't afford to wait that long to evaluate him. And, by then, every coach will have a zone-rushing quarterback adjustment in his defensive scheme, and RichRod will be pleading for patience as he scours the high schools looking for his next gimmick. Fire him now. Please. And no, beating Ohio State will not erase this season from the annals of suck. But it would be nice. I hope the players are still trying.
chosen1
Mon, Nov 9, 2009 : 11:52 a.m.
Here were some positives on Saturday: 1. The O-line actually played well, I thought tate made them look bad at times with his indecision. 2. JB Fitzgerald was better than Jonas Mouton and should be starting 3. Craig Roh is going to be a defensive stalwart along with RVB next year. 4. Brandon Minor and Roy Roundtree were great Saturday. Still couldn't believe Purdue was giving roundtree that much of a cushion at the line. Those were some positive things along with the great student section we have. Credit the student section for the noise they made in the 4th qtr when purdue was backed up inside their 20 twice and the defense stepped up and forced punts.
commonsense
Mon, Nov 9, 2009 : 11:43 a.m.
"We need 2 years or 3 years of recruiting classes that really fit our needs." Our needs: players who can tackle and players who can hold on to the ball. 2 to 3 years to find people who have minimal competency in the fundamentals? Really???