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Posted on Fri, Nov 6, 2009 : 3:52 p.m.

Michigan's bowl hopes may hinge on beating Purdue

By Dave Birkett

A month ago, the talk was where - not if - Michigan would make a bowl game.

But after four straight Big Ten losses, the most devastating of which came last week against Illinois, the Wolverines’ travel plans may boil down to this: Beat Purdue today and head somewhere warm, lose and let the holiday shopping begin.

Mike-Williams.jpg

Michigan safety Michael Williams pumps his fist after making a play in the first half against Illinois last Saturday. Williams and the Wolverines face Purdue this week in a must-win game.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

"When we got to four wins quickly it kind of seemed like, ‘Oh, we’ll get six,’” offensive guard Steve Schilling said. “Sometimes maybe people kind of thought it would come a little too easily. And it hasn’t, obviously.”

Six is the magic number for teams hoping to play in the postseason, and Michigan (5-4, 1-4) needs one win in the final three weeks to become bowl eligible.

The Wolverines close the season against top-25 teams Wisconsin and Ohio State, so today’s home game with the Boilermakers is their best chance for a victory.

Purdue (3-6, 2-3) hasn’t won in Ann Arbor since 1966 and is coming off a 37-0 blowout at the hands of Wisconsin.

Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez said he didn’t talk much with his team this week about bowl possibilities, and he doesn’t think he has a desperate team on his hands.

“What’s desperate?” Rodriguez said. “I’ve never, ever used that. You want to have a hungry team, I guess. A team that’s hungry to prove themselves, but I think you want that whether you’re winning or losing.

“I don’t want our guys looking at some fatalistic view of this last ballgame. It’s in the past, we can’t redo it over again. Let’s worry about this next game.”

Michigan’s fortunes took a nosedive early in the second half last week when it failed to convert four straight running plays from the 1-yard line. Illinois, the worst team in the Big Ten, answered with a 99-yard drive, and rolled off 31 straight points to for a 38-13 win.

Rodriguez urged his players to stay loose this week to not let that game beat them twice.

“I don’t think we’re going to be so tight, but we know that it’s an important game,” defensive end Brandon Graham said. “But hopefully after we beat Purdue it’ll calm down a little bit, a little pressure off of us.”

Purdue has been the most erratic team in the Big Ten this year.

When the Boilermakers are on, they look great. They beat Ohio State with ease three weeks ago and lost nail-bitters to Oregon and Notre Dame earlier this season.

When they’re off, they look like the worst team in the league. Along with last week’s meltdown in Madison, Purdue has dropped home games to Northern Illinois and Northwestern.

“They’ve hurt themselves at times like we have,” Rodriguez said. “But I think they’re playing with a great deal of confidence. I think they were playing with confidence even before they beat Ohio State, but after they beat Ohio State you could sense that.”

Like Michigan, Purdue has struggled with turnovers this year. The Boilermakers lead the Big Ten with 26 turnovers, while Michigan is last in conference with a minus-10 turnover margin.

The Wolverines have 12 turnovers in their last three Big Ten games and haven’t had a takeaway since Donovan Warren returned an interception for a touchdown on the second play from scrimmage 28 days ago against Iowa.

Rodriguez knows the turnover battle will be crucial today.

“I said this earlier in the season when we were winning games and I'll say it now when we lost the last couple,” Rodriguez said. “We are not good enough to play poorly and win. We're not at that point experience-wise and talent-wise. That's the facts.”

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.

Comments

azwolverine

Sat, Nov 7, 2009 : 11:13 a.m.

Stan, Don't put all the blame on the players, either. Don't forget, these are kids who came to Michigan, not because they are getting paid 2.5 million, but because they wanted to be Wolverines. Those who put all the blame on the player in support of RR are not fully supporting Michigan, either. These players ARE Michigan football. Pointing the blame at the players is a big part of the problem right now, imo. RR inferred it himself this week when he said he inherited a worse problem than he knew. That seems to be a slap in the face of the players. How are college kids, who are very emotional, supposed to rally around a coach who is inferring all that is wrong is their fault, not his? A great coach would take accountability and responsibility for the problems with the team and defer it from the players. That's what the great ones do...That is the type of coach players will spill their guts for and rally around no matter how tough things get. Teams with coaches like that can overcome adversity. Pointing fingers and blame is counterproductive to the psyche of the team. If fans are "All in for Michigan," be in for the players, too.

BlueInBama

Sat, Nov 7, 2009 : 11:03 a.m.

Did someone just say "Anybody who is against Rich Rodriguez is NOT a Michigan fan."???? I don't what's worse, the state of UofM football or some fans. I think there's too much RRod worship going on here. I see these T-shirts "In Rod We Trust." WHAT?!?!? First, is Rod being compared to GOD here? Second, I'm sure Bo is rolling in his grave since he emphasized, "the team, the team, the team." To hell with ONE man of questionable character. I believe in MICHIGAN. IN MICHIGAN WE TRUST!

rightmind250

Sat, Nov 7, 2009 : 10:48 a.m.

You forgot about IL dude, UM got blown out by them too.

rreidannarbor

Sat, Nov 7, 2009 : 9:13 a.m.

I'm glad to see that everything below the very round belly contains more rational thought. If things are like this in 2012 then we can start freaking out over this. Until then, enjoy the ride and I sincerely feel Rich Rod will turn this thing around, given time and talent that fits their current schemes. Defensive fundamentals are troubling and they are a long way from their aspirations to be "the best tackling team in the country". Still, keep that goal, keep adding speed at the skill positions and the D and this will get better. 10 + wins in 2011. 2010 is still really hard to predict I'm afraid. Could be similar to this year. Who knows?? We all thought they would be world beaters when they upset ND. How fast fortunes change. Just look at the whipping USC took against Oregon and OSU's brutal loss to Purdue. That's college football. That's why, people will attend today and the Ohio State game in 3 weeks because "who knows". They may go 0-3 to close it out or could win 2 and shock everyone. Who knows? They were a whisper away from beating MSU and Iowa and have been in every game, save for Penn State. That's why its so much fun! Go Blue!

stan

Sat, Nov 7, 2009 : 6:38 a.m.

Anybody who is against Rich Rodriguez is NOT a Michigan fan. To the tool that called the offense a gimmick offense, it seems to be working just fine in Gainesville and Eugene. Michigan wins today AND beats Ohio State.

uminks

Sat, Nov 7, 2009 : 1:12 a.m.

The only game at home we were not in was against PSU. I think the team will come out hungry for the win! This game could go three ways 1.) A big UM blow out, especially if Purdue makes a lot of mistakes. 2.) A close UM win, if Purdue plays well and UM plays just a bit better to win a shoot out. 3.) Purdue wins by 3 to 7 points, if UM turns the ball over the and Tate pays inconsistent. I will be rooting for a big UM victory. In every other game except for PSU they were in it. IL was just a confidence let down after they held the offense out of the endzone. If UM would have got a TD and went up 20-7...UM would have won! But sometimes young teams can collapse like a house of cards. At home against another fairly weak defense they should play well. I wish I could be at the game to cheer the team on since I think they really need this game. Win or lose, 8-4 or 5-7, I will support RR through 2011. You can not fire a coach after 2 or 3 season. He needs at least 4 if not 5 seasons here to prove himself!

rensational

Fri, Nov 6, 2009 : 11:28 p.m.

OMG, enough of this "real fans" and "Walmart Wolverines" crap. Agree to disagree. We haven't seen enough of RR at Michigan to be so set in an opinion that we insult people who don't agree with it. Are you people in junior high school? We don't all have to love or hate RR, and we don't all have to believe Michigan can win the next three games or will lose the next three games to be Michigan fans.

GoblueinNE_PA

Fri, Nov 6, 2009 : 9:49 p.m.

Real fans know that Michigan hasn't been this bad in more than a generation. Real fans know that despite the claims otherwise, the cupboard wasn't bare when LC left. Real fans know that it took most of our lifetimes to build the traditions and records that the idiot has destroyed in a little less than 2 years. Real fans also know a fraud when they see one. He should go after this season, as the team is two lucky plays away from being 3-6 right now. But Bill Martin is a joke as an AD and Mary Sue is rightly more concerned with academic issues than atheletic issues, neither will take the actions necessary to end this farce. We are no different than Purdue or UofI or MSU. We're on our way to becoming a second tier team for decade.

Do Better

Fri, Nov 6, 2009 : 8:55 p.m.

Why do michigan fans blame Rich Rod for your bad program, Michigan has lost to oregon twice, usc twice, texas, nebraska, ohio state 4, and app st. The only bright spot is a win over a young florida team that gave a michigan team full of seniors all it can handle. Les Miles did not want to we LSU cause he knew the athletes were better in the sec. If you watch a big ten game v.s. a sec game its like night and day. rich rod needs to recruit in the south and out west.

Danny

Fri, Nov 6, 2009 : 8:51 p.m.

Let's give the team a little more credit then that. Whatever can happen, will happen. Eventually! So this is the weekend that Michigan puts it all together? Michigan by six!!! Our defense gets a few breaks and holds on. Our offense is loose and potent. Won't know until tomorrow? GO BLUE ALWAYS!!! Dan from Georgia

Fresh121

Fri, Nov 6, 2009 : 8:48 p.m.

This man hasent been here 2 years and want him fired. When did we turn into ND fireing are coach when he hasent had a chance, real fans know 2 years isent close to enough time. We do sux and its hard to watch but we are better then last year and still lead the b10 in ppg. So Richy rods offense is working some what lol..if are D was remotely any good we would have a better record they dont help do anything i agree bring in a Sec D coach something lol my goodness if are frikkin D ever play like they dont belong in high school, are defense in genral is why we stink so bad they help in 0 way.

BlueInBama

Fri, Nov 6, 2009 : 7:56 p.m.

Purdue will put up 42 on Michigan's pathetic defense. RRod's disastrous, gimmick offense will once again implode. Part 1 to RRod's 3 game losing streak to end his career at Michigan starts this Saturday. Stay tuned at the dumb hillbilly makes yet another spectacle of himself on television by screaming at his assistants while his players hang their heads in shame.... Yet, true Michigan fans realize that this joke of a coach will be gone soon.

BlueInBama

Fri, Nov 6, 2009 : 6:57 p.m.

Purdue by 14 Wisconsin by 21 Ohio State by 35 Then the bum known as "RRod" will finally be run out of Ann Arbor. Too bad 2 years are down the drain due to a misjudgement by Bill Martin and Mary Sue Coleman.

chosen1

Fri, Nov 6, 2009 : 6:05 p.m.

um 41-37

wolverine73

Fri, Nov 6, 2009 : 5:59 p.m.

Purdue will come up with their best game of the season against us just like everyone seems to and we will lose because we can't stop anyone from scoring at will. Having to depend on the opposing team to stop themselves is not a very reliable way to win. Our offense has regressed and is showing no " hunger for victory." Of course the defense is laughable - can we not get a defensive coach from the SEC or even the Big 12 to come here? The staff we have now is not getting it done - it can't all be the players fault. We are facing a 5-7 final season mark because there is no way we are beating Wisconsin in Madison or Ohio State. Boy, that 4-0 start sure seems a long time ago. At least we had the joy of beating those overblown Irish. Hope for the best tomorrow but don't expect a win.

uminks

Fri, Nov 6, 2009 : 5:22 p.m.

I hope the offense shows up this week. They moved the ball pretty easy between the 20's but could not score. This defense will give up points, so Tate and offense better step it up if they want to go bowling. I think they have a slight chance at WI, especially if they can beat Purdue. I wish they can upset OSU but with the best defense in the b10, I'm just hoping it will not be another buckeye blowout!

Detroitrocks

Fri, Nov 6, 2009 : 4:42 p.m.

This is the last game they have any chance at winning.