Dateline: Sunday, October 10th, 2010

Submitted by Blazefire on

Wolverines Return was Inevitable

By: Michael Rosenberg, Free Press Staff

    After a tumultuous first two seasons at the head of the ship in Ann Arbor, Coach Rich Rodriguez has the Wolverines (6-0) back on track after a thumping 42-17 victory over the Michigan State Spartans (5-1) yesterday at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor. The win marked Rodriguez's first in the storied rivalry, and basically assures the Wolverines of a return to the post season after their first two seasons since the 70's without a bowl trip.

   In the end, it seemed inevitable, didn't it? Rodriguez has been a hugely successful coach at every stop in his career, both as a coordinator and a head coach. In each case, his first years have been slow, as he builds a custom offense from just the right players. And in each case, the end result was a thumping, dominating team that could and would win pretty much any game on their schedule. When all is said and done, didn't we all know that he would get U of M back to their rightful place in the upper echelon of the Big Ten? That he would put 'little brother' back in their place?

   And it came not a moment too soon for Rodriguez, the players, the university and the fans. In a group so unaccustomed to losing, the rebuilding process seemed hard to take. And then, coupled with an NCAA issue that turned out to be much more bark than bite, and which actually began under Lloyd Carr, many fans and much of the media were calling for Rodriguez head.

  All I can say is, Congrats Coach Rodriguez, and Godspeed through the Big Ten.

(You so know this is going to appear almost verbatim on Sunday. You just know it. The only question is, will Rosenberg's horns, cloven hooves and tail be visible in his new press photo next year.)