12/1/2007 - Was this the worst day in UM football?

Submitted by GustaveFerbert on

A different rivalry day gone bad but one that altered UM football....

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Derek

November 27th, 2010 at 5:35 PM ^

Tressel won in the Big House in 2001, 2005, 2007, and 2009. Rodriguez won against Wisconsin in 2008, against Indiana in 2009, and against Illinois this year. That makes four Big Ten wins in the Big House for Tressel and three for Rodriguez.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 23827

Derek

November 28th, 2010 at 3:27 AM ^

It's more like this: that person posted information that, while factual, doesn't mean anything by itself without any comment or argument. That comment is useless because it lacks the reasoning as to why that should change our thoughts about Rich Rodriguez. Besides, it doesn't even remotely relate to the comment to which it purports to reply.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 23827

jmblue

November 27th, 2010 at 5:07 PM ^

Maybe the real disaster occurred back in 2002, when Lloyd Carr hired Scot Loeffler as his QB coach instead of Jim Harbaugh.  Think about how different things might have gone if he'd been here.

Joined: 11/07/2008

MGoPoints: 102715

JClay

November 27th, 2010 at 5:10 PM ^

The worst moment in Michigan history is a tie between all the moments where anyone questioned the coaching acumen of Richard Rodriguez! His offense is elite (but cant score)! Nothing else matters! The day when total yardage decides football games instead of scores, is coming, and you fools will realize the damage you've done to UM.

Joined: 09/14/2010

MGoPoints: 13753

My name ... is Tim

November 27th, 2010 at 5:17 PM ^

While this reply may not have intended to create a serious discussion, why are we so bad at protecting the football? How many points has that cost us in Big Ten season? I'd be willing to listen to a reasoned argument as to why this team over the past 3 years has been completely unable to value possession. And I'd prefer an argument better than "inexperience" because I seem to remember an inexperienced Chad Henne and Mike Hart protecting the football much better. Can we get a diary from one of the stats-based people on this? It's been a hallmark of the RichRod era so far and it's confounding, and a major factor in our inability to hang with the elite programs.

Joined: 12/20/2008

MGoPoints: 1613

umchicago

November 27th, 2010 at 5:34 PM ^

always higher with young QBs in their first year of starting.

2010: Denard/Forcier - 14 INT; 13 lost fumbles

2004: Henne - 12 INT; 9 lost fumbles

2001: Navarre - 14 INT; 11 lost fumbles

this year (and last year) really not that far different then when we had young QBs in the past.  The D, however, is a zillion times worse.  hopefully, the 2011 fumbles will decline with D Hart, like M Hart.

Joined: 02/05/2009

MGoPoints: 33625

Derek

November 27th, 2010 at 6:01 PM ^

I wanted to note that freshman Henne and freshman Naverre had senior Braylon and senior Marquise Walker respectively, both of whom made a lot of plays that other receivers wouldn't have and don't. We don't have any senior wide receivers, let alone any who can make Denard's (or Tate's) life easier like Braylon and Marquise did for their QBs.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 23827

HeismanPose

November 27th, 2010 at 7:30 PM ^

Yeah.  Michigan actually finished the year with the exact same number of Interceptions (14) and Fumbles Lost (13) as last season.  In 2008, it was 13 Ints and 15 Fumbles Lost.  This makes sense, of course - we have had a first year starter at QB each of the past 3 seasons. 

This has nothing to do with the way RichRod coaches.  It's not like he has to remind his QBs and RBs not to drop the ball.  Young teams turn the ball over. That's just the way it is.  I agree - this stat should improve over the next two seasons. 

Another reason for not scoring despite all of the yards is a terrible field goal kicking game.  This, too, should improve.

The Big Ten was very strong at the top this year.  OSU, Wisc, Iowa and MSU all had a ton of returning starters and very good, experienced QBs.  That will change next year.  We're returning something like 18-19 starters.  We should be a top 3 Big Ten team in 2011, with 9-10 wins and a New Years Bowl.  The new D coordinator is key.  They have to bring in someone with a proven college track record. 

Joined: 09/21/2009

MGoPoints: 1388

JClay

November 27th, 2010 at 5:34 PM ^

I completely agree. Our offense might look elite based in certain stats, but it hasn't passed the eye test at any point this season. We don't score against legitimate competition unless were tied or behind, and turn the ball over in historic fashion. And this is year three! Of this is what we do well... well, we are in deep trouble.

Joined: 09/14/2010

MGoPoints: 13753

Brewers Yost

November 27th, 2010 at 6:42 PM ^

One thing that bugs me is that Denard only carries the ball in his left hand. Therefore, when he is running to his right the ball is in the wrong hand. It's something that most players learn in highschool, even grade school in my case. Furthermore, Tate has terrible ball security when he is in the pocket. Not sure why those issues are ignored by the coaching staff.

Joined: 07/14/2008

MGoPoints: 2329

AMazinBlue

November 27th, 2010 at 5:11 PM ^

The Horror, obviously.  I was much more angry when they lost to Illinois last year.  I pretty much expected what happened today.  For all the fireworks of this offense, this team is very predictable these days.

Joined: 10/12/2008

MGoPoints: 7197

bluewave720

November 27th, 2010 at 8:05 PM ^

when talking about losses on the field.  No other loss was more damaging, embarrassing and difficult to handle than The Horror.  It really makes all other losses seem more like movies that are fiction.  You can watch "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre", drunk on Mad Dog 20/20 and think it's the most frightening thing ever (either the movie or the cheap hooch).  Until, of course, you are actually chased by someone with a revving chainsaw.

Joined: 07/17/2009

MGoPoints: 6517

SwordDancer710

November 27th, 2010 at 5:18 PM ^

Honestly, I'd say the 07 UM-OSU game. Senior Chad Henne, senior Mike Hart, veteran receivers, and we only put up 91 yards and 3 points up. Most disappointing game I've ever seen (today included).

Joined: 08/17/2009

MGoPoints: 1429

JT4104

November 27th, 2010 at 5:23 PM ^

Worst day in UM football was App St no question about that.....heck the oregon game the next week might have been 2nd...I mean do people honestly realize if Belotti and Kelly wanted too they could have put up 1000 yds of offense that game...thats how lopsided it was that day.

Lets calm down about what happened today...we are what we all expected to be 7-5 and for all the well i would take a loss to Purdue to beat _________ be honest..had they lost the Purdue game you would have called for his head then.

Fact is we got something we haven't got in 2yrs to look forward to. 15 extra practices and a chance to end the year on a positive note with a little positive momentum to go with it.

Best case scenario is that our D does decent and we win the game against a decent bowl opponent and move into the spring with a positive taste in our mouths for one off season.

Joined: 10/25/2008

MGoPoints: 12328