Actual football practice starts soon. I thought it might be fun to toss out a couple of simple, yet relevant questions to get the football juices flowing and the conversation started. The primary goal of this place for both T9 and me is to have some fun and continue the strong MZone community. Based on our web logs, I know we have a lot of readers; I am looking to pull some of you out of the shadows and open the doors for more participation. Don’t be afraid. All opinions are valid. You can answer any or all of these.
What needs to happen for RR to be Michigan’s coach in 2011 ?
As I stated a couple of months ago, I don’t think Rich Rodriguez will ever be successful here. He is the definition of a lightning rod, if by lightning you mean idiotic drama cloaked in an overcoat of controversy dripping in healthy layer of unreasonable hatred. The constant splat of bad news has worn me down -- and I don’t think it will quit. It is getting to the point where I am not surprised any more.
As a Michigan supporter, I want to win. I am tired of being the laughing stock of college football. For those of you that cheer against us because we are a bunch of arrogant pricks, please stop. Rest assured I am comprehensively and perpetually humbled. I just want us to be an ordinary successful college football program again.
That being said, I think three things need to happen to prevent Dave Brandon from holding a press conference and announcing a coaching change after the Ohio State game in November.
1) We need a winning season with a bowl bid.
2) We need to win two of the three traditional rivalry games (Notre Dame, Michigan State, or Ohio State).
3) There needs to be no more NCAA rules drama.
If any of those three things does not happen, we will be looking for a new coach and start this “re-building” process over. I no longer fear the prospect of starting over from scratch, again. You need to look no further than our new siblings in Lincoln to see that a once proud program can crash into the side of a mountain and eventually put the pieces back together again to be respectable. If they can recover from Bill Callahan, we can recover from this.
Realistically, how many wins will this team see?
I have looked up and down the schedule at least a thousand times – and I believe I spot seven.
If things go completely right (offense clicks and defense makes tackles) we may see nine wins. If things go badly from the start (like losing to both UConn and Notre Dame to open the season) we could be staring at another three win nightmare. At that point I will lead the campaign for a complete program meltdown.
UConn: We have no injuries and have better players.
Notre Dame: I never expect a win in South Bend.
UMass: Losing here would be worse than the loss to Appy State.
Bowling Green: We have another MAC win streak to protect.
Indiana: They played us very tough last year.
Sparty: Home game. Time to return things to normal.
Iowa: Who scheduled these giants for homecoming?
Penn State: By the time they play us, their issues will be fixed.
Illinois: My expectation is Ron Zook will be fired by this point.
Purdue: I can’t believe I want to beat Purdue so badly.
Wisconsin: Too much size and talent for our defense.
Ohio State: Our next win against these guys won’t be in Columbus
Denard or Tate ?
I know this will sound corny, but my answer is both… we need BOTH at this point. The teams in the B11 are not getting any smaller or weaker. In this offense, the QB is going to get hit. A lot. Injuries are going to happen when you line up a bunch of smurfs against a bunch of monsters. We need more than one QB to make this work.
My preference is Denard. I am just giddy at the prospect of him running our full offense, he is just that damn exciting to watch. I would love to see him emerge as an accurate passer to go along with his astonishing running ability. Unless something changes drastically in fall practice, I expect him to begin the season as the starter.
On the other hand, I was and could be very satisfied with a productive and healthy Tate. There was no doubt he is an exciting and capable quarterback. Things turned sour last season when he tried to do too much and got hurt. The fact remains, he was a true freshman. Going forward, he needs to make healthier decisions and take care of the football better as a sophomore and beyond.
Did Troy Woolfolk cross the line at the B10 meetings when he called out Tate’s work ethic?
I have to admit, I was a little surprised when I read the comments this week. Senior leadership is an important and powerful thing. If Troy was a sophomore and Tate was a senior, I would be very very concerned with the chemistry on the team. Right now, with all that is going on with this program… whatever.
One thing to remember, he is a cornerback and they tend to talk a lot of smack. I honestly think he intended to highlight the off season efforts of Denard. The “diseased” comments that followed appeared to me to be the unfiltered ramblings of a college kid with a bunch of microphones stuffed in front of his face. He was expressing his feelings and doing what he felt was right as a leader. I can’t fault him for that.
Best case: Tate gets the message, starts to work harder and matures into a leader to match his talent.
Worst case: Tate continues to be lazy, loses his starting job to Denard, and transfers to Stanford.
Likely case: Tate tells Troy to “fuck off” under his breath after he throws at TD over him in practice next week.
Will we ever beat Ohio State again?
It took 40+ years, but Navy beat Notre Dame. Twice.
It will happen. Someday. Maybe. Hopefully.
Candidly, I don’t expect it in the next couple of years and it may not ever be against Jim Tressel again.
Right now, they are good. Really good. We are not. It is as simple as that.
When it does eventually happen… on that day I promise to smile a lot and enjoy it. I just hope I live long enough to experience it again.
What needs to happen for RR to be Michigan’s coach in 2011 ?As I stated a couple of months ago, I don’t think Rich Rodriguez will ever be successful here. He is the definition of a lightning rod, if by lightning you mean idiotic drama cloaked in an overcoat of controversy dripping in healthy layer of unreasonable hatred. The constant splat of bad news has worn me down -- and I don’t think it will quit. It is getting to the point where I am not surprised any more.
As a Michigan supporter, I want to win. I am tired of being the laughing stock of college football. For those of you that cheer against us because we are a bunch of arrogant pricks, please stop. Rest assured I am comprehensively and perpetually humbled. I just want us to be an ordinary successful college football program again.
That being said, I think three things need to happen to prevent Dave Brandon from holding a press conference and announcing a coaching change after the Ohio State game in November.
1) We need a winning season with a bowl bid.
2) We need to win two of the three traditional rivalry games (Notre Dame, Michigan State, or Ohio State).
3) There needs to be no more NCAA rules drama.
If any of those three things does not happen, we will be looking for a new coach and start this “re-building” process over. I no longer fear the prospect of starting over from scratch, again. You need to look no further than our new siblings in Lincoln to see that a once proud program can crash into the side of a mountain and eventually put the pieces back together again to be respectable. If they can recover from Bill Callahan, we can recover from this.
Realistically, how many wins will this team see?
I have looked up and down the schedule at least a thousand times – and I believe I spot seven.
If things go completely right (offense clicks and defense makes tackles) we may see nine wins. If things go badly from the start (like losing to both UConn and Notre Dame to open the season) we could be staring at another three win nightmare. At that point I will lead the campaign for a complete program meltdown.UConn: We have no injuries and have better players.
Notre Dame: I never expect a win in South Bend.
UMass: Losing here would be worse than the loss to Appy State.
Bowling Green: We have another MAC win streak to protect.
Indiana: They played us very tough last year.
Sparty: Home game. Time to return things to normal.
Iowa: Who scheduled these giants for homecoming?
Penn State: By the time they play us, their issues will be fixed.
Illinois: My expectation is Ron Zook will be fired by this point.
Purdue: I can’t believe I want to beat Purdue so badly.
Wisconsin: Too much size and talent for our defense.
Ohio State: Our next win against these guys won’t be in Columbus
| Opponent UConn Notre Dame UMass Bowling Green Indiana Sparty Iowa Penn State Illinois Purdue Wisconsin Ohio State | My Dream Win Win Win Win Win Win Loss Win Win Win Loss Loss 9-3 | My Nightmare Loss Loss Win Win Loss Loss Loss Loss Win Loss Loss Loss 3-9 | My guess Win Loss Win Win Win Win Loss Loss Win Win Loss Loss 7-5 |
Denard or Tate ?
I know this will sound corny, but my answer is both… we need BOTH at this point. The teams in the B11 are not getting any smaller or weaker. In this offense, the QB is going to get hit. A lot. Injuries are going to happen when you line up a bunch of smurfs against a bunch of monsters. We need more than one QB to make this work.
My preference is Denard. I am just giddy at the prospect of him running our full offense, he is just that damn exciting to watch. I would love to see him emerge as an accurate passer to go along with his astonishing running ability. Unless something changes drastically in fall practice, I expect him to begin the season as the starter.On the other hand, I was and could be very satisfied with a productive and healthy Tate. There was no doubt he is an exciting and capable quarterback. Things turned sour last season when he tried to do too much and got hurt. The fact remains, he was a true freshman. Going forward, he needs to make healthier decisions and take care of the football better as a sophomore and beyond.
Did Troy Woolfolk cross the line at the B10 meetings when he called out Tate’s work ethic?
I have to admit, I was a little surprised when I read the comments this week. Senior leadership is an important and powerful thing. If Troy was a sophomore and Tate was a senior, I would be very very concerned with the chemistry on the team. Right now, with all that is going on with this program… whatever.
One thing to remember, he is a cornerback and they tend to talk a lot of smack. I honestly think he intended to highlight the off season efforts of Denard. The “diseased” comments that followed appeared to me to be the unfiltered ramblings of a college kid with a bunch of microphones stuffed in front of his face. He was expressing his feelings and doing what he felt was right as a leader. I can’t fault him for that.Best case: Tate gets the message, starts to work harder and matures into a leader to match his talent.
Worst case: Tate continues to be lazy, loses his starting job to Denard, and transfers to Stanford.
Likely case: Tate tells Troy to “fuck off” under his breath after he throws at TD over him in practice next week.
Will we ever beat Ohio State again?
It took 40+ years, but Navy beat Notre Dame. Twice.
It will happen. Someday. Maybe. Hopefully.
Candidly, I don’t expect it in the next couple of years and it may not ever be against Jim Tressel again.
Right now, they are good. Really good. We are not. It is as simple as that.
When it does eventually happen… on that day I promise to smile a lot and enjoy it. I just hope I live long enough to experience it again.
Posts
16 comments:
Last year (admittedly early in the season) we witnessed flashes of an explosive offense that could score fast and often. I think one key this year is seeing if that model has taken root and is consistent. RR's past reputation is the ability to produce that type of offense. If he delivers on that this year, his job will be secure. Otherwise.........?
Excellent read. Thoughtful and honest. I almost cried over the "arrogant pricks" confession.
I hope you win them all except for the last one.
1:) Barring a Big Ten championship I see almost no way that RR is still with the team next season. 7 wins and a lack luster bowl bid is not going to be enough to continue to put up with the off field drama for another season or two. There aren't ,any coaches out there though and they will need to find one who runs a spread format type of offense or you can kiss the current kids goodbye and see MI dip into serious scholarship problems with their retention rate or lack thereof.
2:) Football is football and realistically they could win every single game this season. Will they? No. I think they win a thriller against Uconn. Clean up a struggling Notre Dame. Roll through Umass BG and Indiana. Possibly hit a road bump with Sparty and probably claim their first loss with Iowa but that's a home game they could steal. Penn State would be a win if it wasn't at PSU on Halloween weekend which almost guarantees an 8pm start for that game. Illinois will be a walk this season while Purdue will play us close again. Probably finish the season with two losses but Wisconsin could be a steal as they don't play well against the shred. Realistically 7-5 and bye bye RR.
3:)Both QBs. The starting title is pointless in a 2 QB system.
4:)Woolfolk was spot on as to what a senior must do to motivate the class under him. Maybe Tate is injured and has his reasons or maybe he is working lackadaisically either way the team needs to band together or they might as well go to a JUCO somewhere.
5:) Yes. They could have played them close last year but for freshman mistakes. Play a perfect game and they can play anyone. TUOS has shown they cant play against the SEC or other big powers. Michigan just needs to start playing like a big power again.
1) For some reason, I don't see Rich Rod staying at Michigan. Whether it's this year or they let him play out his contract depends on how he does. I think if he goes greater than 7-5 and beats one or 2 of the traditional rivals, he's good for the rest of his contract. If not.... Although, if they feel that he's not the one for them they should just cut the strings at the end of this season and move on. As for a replacement, I'm still in the extreme minority that they should pick up Paul Johnson (the former Navy coach). The option offense he runs is not a far cry from Old-School Michigan football and it throws enough wrinkles in the mix that even Navy can be competitive. Throw in an effective passing game and you've got an offense that's tough to stop.
2. My mind says 6-6. My heart says 7-5. I would love to see them run the table. I think their first 4 games will set the tone for the season. If they are 3-1 or 4-0 at that point, good things for the rest of the season. If they lose at Conn and then lose at ND....blah.
3. If Denard has improved his passing game over last year, I think he starts. I would like to see that because his running game is explosive enough that if he has the threat he'll pass....
4. That's leadership. Maybe it belongs in the lockeroom....but still.
5. Yes. They can beat anyone. If a bunch of misfits under the watch of Rick Moranis can beat Al Bundy...anyone can win.
Nice job on summarizing your points. I hope we get some comments from a few new folks. Not that I mind hearing from the normal motley crew (even whets), but some new perspectives would be fun.
My 2 cents:
1.It is interesting that whenever Brandon talks about RR he says "he will be our coach next season". Does not sound like a glowing future endorsement to me. RR needs to win enough to go to a mid level bowl game at least. They need to win at least two of the rivalry games (someone will need to remind RR which games those are!). I do not want to get into the whole "Michigan Man" argument again, but he just does not seem to fit in. The first thing McSweatervest did at tosu was promote the rivalry with Michigan. He gets it, RR does not. As far as I am concerned he has already done enough damage with the NCAA fools.
2. I kind of sort of agree with most who think 7-5. Maybe it is arrogance, but I always think Michigan should win every game and should always win the Big Ten. Most tosu fans think the same thing about the buckeyes. The players feel that way also. That is what makes the difference between the better football schools and the ones who are historically mediocre. By the way Hammm, the Penn State game is already scheduled as an 8:00pm start.
3. They have to find a way to use both of them and not Denard for just one play at a time.
4. If a player is dogging it he should be called out. Maybe you do it in a little more private setting, but seniors need to speak up.
5. I always think and expect Michigan will beat tosu (see no. 2). Depending on how the rest of the season goes, that game may determine RR's fate more than anything else. I guess that is my worst nightmare. If the team does not win enough games to go to a bowl but beats tosu, I would be afraid he might be allowed to stay.
calm down Bob
lol
Soooo, what was that all about?
So while most will be focused on RR and the offense, I will be taking the old-school approach and watching the defense with a critical eye.
The offense can clearly move the ball when it 'clicks'. In fact, it can smoke people.
The issue, imho, is ball control.
If you aren't going to do so on offense, you must keep the other team's offense off the field....ERGO DE-FENSE.
It does no good to score in a minute fifty and then let the other guys march out a 5 minute scoring drive.
Would be interesting for "someone" to crunch last season's numbers:
average time of possession on our scoring drives vs. average time of possession for the opponents on their scoring drives.
GO BLUE
UofM can't a having a bad season my heart cannot take it RR needs to leave the drama for someones mama.....I love MiCHIGAn football....fall waves & UofM football...the falls the best.....
GO BLUE
2010 will be my 33rd year of attending Michigan football games. I'm old enough to have seen Troy Woolfolk's daddy pound the rock behind Russell Davis' lead blocking. I wanted to be Rick Leach.
Michigan ran the probverbial table for so long that it never occurred to me that it would ever be possible for them to actually have a losing season. Ever.
But T-9 Wins with her defense comment. Therein lies the difference.
Bo Era Ave Score: 29 to 11
Mo Era Ave Score: 32 to 17
LLoyd Era Ave Score: 29 to 18
Combined Ave Score: 30 to 15
Rich Era Ave Score: 25 to 28
We need to only average 5 more pts/game to reach the average of the three prior coaches, from '69 to '07.
We need to remove 13 points per game from the opposing teams to reach the same average from '69 to '07.
Offense isn't much of a reach. Defense needs some WORK.
Now, Bo really skewed those defense numbers, as 7 of his 20 seasons he kept opponents under 100 points per season (nearly 1/3 of his coaching career!) In those 7 specific seasons, opponents only scored an average of 6.74 points per game against us!! Only Lloyd came close to the under 100 mark for a season (1997) at 114 - with the average score being 27 to 10.
Bo was right. Defense Wins Championships. Bo won 13 Conference Championships in 20 years (5 outright); Mo won 3 Big Tens in 5 years (2 outright); Lloyd won 5 Big Tens in 13 years (2 outright) - not to mention a National Championship - again, in that stifling Defensive year of 1997.
In the 21 years we won the conference, the average score was 31 to 13. Actually pretty close to the 30 to 15 average scores for those three coaches over those 38 seasons. Damn, we were good.
Continued......
Now, herein lies the other problem. The unthinkable has happened in our lifetimes, and it has continued far longer than we could have imagined - if we could have ever imagined it happening in the first place....which we couldn't.
What a cluster#$%^&. The insanity of all insanities. Two back to back, losing seasons after nearly 40 years of glory. Four #$%^& DECADES of WINNING FOOTBALL. All the glory. All the domination. All the great teams, great players, a few Heisman winners,and wonderful, wonderful memories of Fall Saturdays with over 100,000 of your best friends at the Big House.
Folks, it is completely understandable that we are still reeling from the shock, the loss, the unimaginable itself.
Having watched my father die a slow death from cancer at the relatively young age of 55, I don't say this lightly. It's as though a cancer has spread through our team and all we can do is sit there and watch it as it grows and destroys all the joy we once knew to be Michigan Football. All we can seemingly do is sit there and pray and watch, and hope for the best. One thing I do know - being and staying negative doesn't help a #$%^&* thing.
Many people think Rich and his system are the cancer, as we haven't had a losing season in nearly 40 years before he arrived in Ann Arbor. Perhaps there is some truth in that, but not as much as people like to think.
A new coach, a completely new offensive system, several defensive schemes, some graduations, some attrition, a shitload of young kids and not a whole lot of leadership. All in the same place at the same time.
Flashes of greatness and shades of incompetence. From the heights of ecstacy to the valley of the shadow of death, it contniues - this rollercoaster of Michigan Football. One thing I do know - speaking for myself - I'm riding the bandwagon and I'm not getting off.
I see a bunch of great kids, (most of them not old enough to legally drink a beer), with enough talent to play Division One football, thrown into a firestorm of adversity. I happen to believe that those who have stayed have bought into the new system and are paying the godforsaken BARWIS PRICE to get ready for the upcoming season. Nobody wants to win more than they do - not even us.
And I believe that the ongoing adversity that has surrounded this program over the last two years has started to unite this team in a way that perhaps winning wouldn't have. It's them against the world.
Nobody wants to return Michigan football back to greatness more than these kids that are about to take the field a month from now against UConn.
I'm going to be there in the crowd of 109,000+ on September 4th. Ready to watch. Ready to pray. Ready to believe in greatness. Ready to believe in my team. Ready to watch Brock Mealer lead the team out of the tunnel, onto the field and under that glorious Banner while the band plays the Greatest College Fight Song Ever Written - the Michigan Victors.
I'll be there yelling until I can't yell. Supporting my team from the stands the only way I can - with whatever voice I've got left.
I'm still All In for Michigan, and I hope you are too.
Here's a video I put together last weekend. I think the theme of this song epitomizes this team.
"We stand and we won't fall - we're one and one for all - the writing's on the wall - we are the Youth Gone Wild"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JE05XONdsM
justthing - you touch me man, I am sitting here sobbing...well done....well done...the joy of UofM football
T9 and Andy,
Is there anyway to "bump" justthinking's two posts to the front page a la mgoblog?
Well done JT, well done!
First off JT- I hope you come around often!!! I grew up in Ann Arbor, graduated from Huron High school in '76. Saw Ricky play as a kid! Also knew the names (then) of all the drum majors... The first house we lived in was on Berkley Ave. This is the road that dead ends right under the press box of the Big House, then we moved to Sylvan, off Packard. Within earshot of the practice fields and where the MMB used to practice. Is it any wonder I am a professional musician. I think not. Anyhow, I grew up listening to Michigan football games and the Michigan Marching Band. I really don't care if they win everything, I do care that they play with honor and integrity. Can they do that with RR? I don't know. I am not nearly smart enough for that. But this Fall I plan on bringing my 20 year old daughter back Home to see her first game at the Big House. Win or lose, no matter, it will just be part of a tradition...
JT... I loved your comments and analysis of the offense vs. defense. I too have been attending games for 33+ years and that is probably why I always expect Michigan to win because they always have won. All three of my sons went to their first game at age 5 and we all now have season tickets. The game day experience in Ann Arbor has become a significant part of our lives and things will return to normal. We will be there with you at the UCONN game cheering and screaming and having a great time. Go Blue!
Great piece. Candid and honest. Any fan of UM FB and RR need to look in the mirror after this season. If it is not working, F-it, time to move on.
While I don't think RR will want to stay much longer, I think he is extremely motivated now to redeem himself. Now, RR is not only fighting to keep his job but also his reputation and ensure some kind of coaching future. If he loses and gets fired, who will hire him? Losing record, ncaa major violations? Welcome to conference usa? He will drop fast and far.
While the overall # of wins and wins over traditional rivals is important, I think there is a hierarchy.
Most important win: msu
2nd - purdue
3rd - ND
I actually think UM has a good chance against Iowa. UM should have beat them last year. They don't seem to defend well against the spread. UM just didn't have the talent or consistency to finish. This year UM should beat psu, ill, IN, and anyone else is cream.
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