October 27th, 2012 at 7:56 PM ^
October 27th, 2012 at 7:57 PM ^
Oh Ye of Little Faith
October 27th, 2012 at 7:59 PM ^
Can't help but wonder what would have happened if rich had a huge win like that drink his first year at Michigan. That, coupled with a few avoided silly missteps could have paved the way for some scary success.
Oh well, happy with how it turned out for us, despite the three year of hell.
Good luck rich.
October 27th, 2012 at 8:53 PM ^
During his first year, RR knocked off #8 Wisconsin on the way to a 3-9 season. He had a big win, didn't matter.
October 27th, 2012 at 11:28 PM ^
sorry that was not a #8 ranked Wisconsin team.. They sucked.. what did they finish that year 6-6? 7-6? They were incredibly overranked just like we were this year..
Pathetic offense
October 27th, 2012 at 10:44 PM ^
I really enjoy having an inept offense. Its much better than having an inept defense. Makes the games much more exciting to watch! Go defense!!
October 28th, 2012 at 8:21 AM ^
The perfect situation would have been to have RichRod coach the O and Mattison coach the D. Damn you Rich for having absolutely no talent in identifying defensive OC's.
Rodriguez is an offensive genius, maybe the best in the college game, and I am not the least bit surprised how he has turned the Arizona program around. Reunited with Casteel I believe that program is in it for the long haul and they will continue to be a force in the Pac10. Even with their built-in handicap in recruiting RichRod has proven he doesn't need top recruits to get his offense rolling.
As for us I am fearful that we may become the opposite of what we saw the last few years. An absolutely anemic offense against better defenses. I don't even hold out much hope until Morris is at least a sophomore and we find some decent talent at WR.
October 28th, 2012 at 4:28 PM ^
All that was needed to allow RichRod to bring his DC from W. Virginia was $5,000 & a contract offer. Your damnation is sadly misplaced.
October 27th, 2012 at 7:59 PM ^
I would be pleased, except that he could barely beat UI here. What gives RR?
October 27th, 2012 at 8:14 PM ^
He finally has a QB with some experience.
October 27th, 2012 at 8:18 PM ^
So having Denard Robinson, a perfect qb for that system, is now an excuse?
October 27th, 2012 at 8:27 PM ^
October 27th, 2012 at 11:26 PM ^
Denard Robinson was essentially a redshirt freshman when he played for RR. Having DR isn't an "excuse," his lack of experience while he played for RR explains why RR only went 7-4 that season.
October 27th, 2012 at 10:38 PM ^
He has a d-coordinator who knows how to run the 3-3-5.
Also I'm assuming he hasn't pissed off 3/4 the former players, coaches, and athletic department employees; so he's not being undermined.
Unless there's a Rosenberg clone at the Tuscon Free Press, he's going to do well at Arizona.
October 27th, 2012 at 10:56 PM ^
they gave up 36. i'm not sure the defense is actually good.
October 27th, 2012 at 11:30 PM ^
they also gave up 36 to 2 of the best WR in the country..
October 28th, 2012 at 11:16 AM ^
They also play offense at a much faster pace than we do, meaning more drives and more plays for each team.
October 27th, 2012 at 8:03 PM ^
Nice job RR...I really wish the "RichRod was horrible and never did anything right" stuff would end...he was/is a good coach and for a lot of reasons (some his own, some UofM's) it didn't work, we ended up with a great fit with Brady Hoke and it looks like Az is working out for him, all is well
October 27th, 2012 at 8:04 PM ^
RR's a good coach, and he's obviously done a good job down in AZ. Looks like everything worked out for both parties. No regrets with Brady.
October 27th, 2012 at 8:09 PM ^
Really happy for Coach Rod.
October 27th, 2012 at 8:11 PM ^
Can't think of anyone I enjoy seeing lose more than Kiffin. (although would be tough figuring out who to root against if Chizik ever faces Kiffin)
October 27th, 2012 at 8:13 PM ^
I think UMich is better off without him and vice versa. He appears to be in a better place for his overall style. After what happened from '08 to '10, then '11, I'll be more open to people who suggest that cultural fit is really important for a coach.
Arizona got smoked 49-0 by Oregon, but they've been in every other game (including -- d'oh -- UToledo, which worked out OK in *Tucson*) until the very end.
It will be interesting to see how he does with a new (and probably young) QB next year.
October 28th, 2012 at 12:01 AM ^
and our O sucks. Even with a young and inexperienced QB next year his O will do better than ours will next year given our QB will also be inexperienced.
October 27th, 2012 at 8:13 PM ^
Death to Southern Cal, except when they beat ND.
October 28th, 2012 at 12:27 AM ^
Really? I want to see ND go undefeated, then get killed 50-0 against Bama.
October 27th, 2012 at 8:14 PM ^
October 27th, 2012 at 8:16 PM ^
RR's success in his first year is definitely impressive. Plus, he put on a masterclass display of angry facial expressions today. Great cinema.
I think that Matt Scott (Arizona QB) is an excellent decision maker. Other than Oregon, Arizona has competed with everyone (well, in the 3rd quarter it was 0-13 Oregon). Most fans were predicting 3-9 this year.
October 27th, 2012 at 8:35 PM ^
Rod's angry face ain't got nothin on Muschamp's today.
Truely wonderful stuff
October 27th, 2012 at 8:22 PM ^
October 27th, 2012 at 8:29 PM ^
October 27th, 2012 at 8:30 PM ^
Love it. Way to go RR. Talk about a guy that deserves a run of success. Seeing it against USC is even better.
October 27th, 2012 at 8:33 PM ^
October 27th, 2012 at 8:33 PM ^
He's just out in the desert running a spread option offense and living it up. And lovely Rita can
keep that year round tan
October 27th, 2012 at 8:47 PM ^
Even Arizona fans have expectations. They also have tradition. Of course, it's not on the same level as Michigan's tradition, but it exists.
October 27th, 2012 at 11:23 PM ^
October 27th, 2012 at 11:44 PM ^
Those Arizona fans that were present. Did you see the stands? Lots of empty seats. For USC. Perhaps the biggest home game of the season.
Arizona is a basketball school. The football enthusiasm is tepid at best.
I live in Tucson. I have at least *some* basis of knowledge to say that.
October 28th, 2012 at 3:06 AM ^
To be honest, yes Az, as a sport's school become prominent in bb, but only after Lute was hired. Prior to that, Arizona wasn't really known for any specific sport.
He has done a great job this year with what amounts to a MAC level roster,with only about three blue chippers per year. That is changing fast. He has already nabbed one of the best dual threat qbs in the nation and with his choice at DC, AZ's stadium will be filled for every Saturday home game within the next three years. You have a lot to look forward to.
October 28th, 2012 at 5:45 AM ^
October 27th, 2012 at 8:40 PM ^
As a USC follower who never misses a game, that was one of the 2 worst games USC has played since Paul Hackett was put out of his misery after 2000. The other being the 2009 loss to Stanford at home where Harbaugh ran it up on Carroll. Taking nothing away from Arizona, but their defensive line literally got no push for 90% of the plays.
For whatever reason, USC piled up unforced turnovers and double digit penalties at an alarming rate.
Arizona was actually pretty awful too, but they have a quarterback that can chuck it and they hit a couple big plays. Arizona was doing a lot of the same bonehead penalties and weak fundamentals in areas not pertaining to his offense we all cursed when he was here at Michigan. On the game coaching front, he almost really cost them by getting greedy going for an unnecessary 2 point conversion in the 3rd quarter. Plus he can't resist blowing up over and over again right in player's faces. The same stuff we rag on Brian Kelly for all the time. it looks just as bad and childish when he does it.
No denying that Rich is doing a pretty good job down there but he inherited a very talented quarterback and running back with experience tailor made for his system. I'll bet they take a step back when their 5th year quarterback leaves after the season. Let's see him coach some people up in the next couple years and see if we look at him with the same reverence.
October 27th, 2012 at 8:45 PM ^
October 27th, 2012 at 9:44 PM ^
He took a reclamation project and they topped No. 9 USC. Give the guy some credit.
October 27th, 2012 at 9:25 PM ^
October 27th, 2012 at 9:48 PM ^
October 27th, 2012 at 11:03 PM ^
They went 4-8 last year and returned eleven starters. They've installed a new system on both sides of the ball. They're undersized and they lack speed and depth all over the place. Their scholarship numbers are down. Still, they're 5-3 and have been in every game they've played minus the second half versus Oregon. Maybe you should look at him with at least a little reverence right now.
October 27th, 2012 at 11:32 PM ^
a couple big plays? One of AZ's WR had what almost 250 receiving?
October 27th, 2012 at 8:41 PM ^
Congrats to the fighting Rich Rodriguezes.
Anytime Lane Kiffen loses, God smiles.
October 27th, 2012 at 8:47 PM ^
October 27th, 2012 at 9:13 PM ^
Rock on R.R. I hope he has huge success in the PAC. Keep winning and start beating the power houses of the PAC consistantly and that will most defentely help with recruiting on UM part.
October 27th, 2012 at 9:21 PM ^
October 27th, 2012 at 9:26 PM ^