ESPN recruiting analyst's take on RR & Michigan
http://detroitnews.com/article/20100201/SPORTS0201/2010376/1131/sports0…
Luginbill seems to be a big believer in what Rodriguez is trying to build, explaining that overhauling an entire roster doesn't happen overnight. Also mentions not only is the talent level in need of a big upgrade, but also get the right players for the new style of play.
I suppose this is just another reminder to us all to be patient, as much as it sucks. I think it's still too tough to predict what the next 2 years will be like, but I'm still pumped to find out.
February 1st, 2010 at 11:45 PM ^
beyond that looks bright. I just don't see 6 wins in 2010 with that schedule and that defense. I fear that no bowl game would be the end for RR. I hope I'm wrong.
February 1st, 2010 at 11:51 PM ^
...on 2010, but I'm not going to neg you just because you are wrong.
February 1st, 2010 at 11:52 PM ^
We have the following teams at home:
UCONN
UMASS
Bowling Green
Michigan State
Iowa
Illinois
Wisonsin
In this group we should beat UCONN, UMASS, Bowling Green, Michigan State, and Illinois.
The we have the following teams on the road:
ND
Indiana
Penn St
Purdue
OSU
In that group we should beat ND, Indiana, and Purdue.
We should see atleast 8 wins next year with a returning QB, an improved OL, and more secondary depth. If you think we win only 6 you must be a very pessimistic person.
February 2nd, 2010 at 12:05 AM ^
I'm guilty as charged.
February 2nd, 2010 at 12:08 AM ^
...for providing some thoughtful perspective.
Looks like 7 wins is almost a given. If that doesn't happen, RR probably doesn't deserve to come back anyway.
February 2nd, 2010 at 12:09 AM ^
Wins-
UMass
BGSU
MSU
Illinois
Losses-
UConn (They are going to be very good)
PSU
OSU
Iowa
Wiscy
Toss Ups
ND
Indiana
Purdue
and I am assuming we lose one game we shouldn't. It's pessimitic but I guess that's where Michigan Football has taken me in the last 5 years.
February 2nd, 2010 at 12:20 AM ^
I hope history changes course, but I don't see how any Wolverine fan can consider the Illinois game an automatic win.
That said, if RR is ever gonna get things turned around, things like beating Ron Zook should be at the top of the to-do list. Hopefully he does.
February 2nd, 2010 at 12:42 AM ^
but I don't know how any of you can say any BCS school on our schedule is an automatic win. It's like you're asking for the lightning bolts to rain down from the sky. We went through this process when we were 5-2 this season and there was no way we could lose to Illinois or Purdue.
Only the MAC schools should be considered solid wins. Anything else is a toss-up for this team, like it or not.
February 2nd, 2010 at 2:16 AM ^
Im not taking any team for granted. I just listed teams we should beat. I am not saying they are guaranteed wins. I think we can all recall games that we had in the "should win" column but went the other way for us.
February 2nd, 2010 at 3:02 AM ^
Completely agree with everything you said. Hopefully we'll be at a point soon where we won't have to fret over games with teams like Toledo.
February 2nd, 2010 at 9:31 AM ^
Put them in the tossup column. They are losing a lot of experience and even the PSU faithful aren't sure what to expect next year. I'm hoping and praying that their mini-run on Michigan is over.
February 2nd, 2010 at 1:49 AM ^
I agree with almost everything you wrote, but I've mentioned before, I'm still optimistic about the PSU game. With PSU starting a new QB, I think that game could go in our favor.
I also wouldn't mind seeing K. Newsome struggle against our D. :)
February 2nd, 2010 at 8:21 AM ^
w. your list of wins, much as I would like to. Most or all would place MSU and UConn in toss-up territory, don't you think? So to me that looks like three more or less guaranteed wins.
Of the second group I think Indiana and Purdue look good, but--again--an independent analyst might call Purdue a toss-up, too. But give us those two and throw ND back in the toss-up column, esp. since we play them away.
That might be five likely wins for an outside observer (don't think I'm overplaying the Devil's Advocate role here).
Give us one of my three hypothetical toss-ups and RR has improved on last year, to six wins. Give us two--not hard to imagine--and we are 'on the road to recovery.'
I don't see much more; it seems quite possible that we could be 5-7 again (games should offer a whole new dimension in nail-biting, with the O racking up big scores, the D showing flashes of sorta goodness and nasty breakdowns). But given that changing horses in midstream is a particularly difficult proposition with RR's offense--i.e. you go out and wait another three yrs. to get pro-style guys back in--I'm pretty sure we've got him for another year.
And I do believe that 2011 will see us fielding a fine squad.
February 2nd, 2010 at 9:45 AM ^
My list is not a list of guaranteed wins, but rather a list of teams we should beat. There is a difference.
February 1st, 2010 at 11:58 PM ^
We should be able to win 1 of the first two, plus wins against UMASS, BG, Indiana, Illinois and either Purdue or MSU. That's 6 right there. Wisky and Iowa are both at home, so we should be competitive in both. At Penn St and at OSU will be tough and will take a great performance to win. I see 7 wins at least as long as we continue to improve on offense like we did last year. And our talent level on defense will be a lot better. It will be young so it will make a lot of mistakes, but I don't think teams will be able to have their way with it like they did last year.
February 2nd, 2010 at 7:13 AM ^
They should win one of the first two games, however, they should win both of them. A down ND team, and a UCONN team at home should be two great games to start the season of with. from there, Umass, BG, Indiana, Purdue, and MSU should be other great games. Now you say Illinois is that is still a toss up game for this team, after last year, I think they will have to get the taste of juice out of their mouths before they will be able to take that step forward against them. Wisky and Purdue are in deed at home, however last year if I recall we should have defeated Iowa on the road. So I am not convinced that Iowa will be as much improved as you think they will be. and as for PSU and OSU, well nothing needs to be said there. Penn State will always be a tough game for us and OSU well the streak is now up to what 6 games, so like the Illinois game this team needs to find a way to break through and find a way to beat the Suckeyes.
I really do think this team will be vastly improved from last year, especially on defense. They will for surely be young which is not always a bad thing. Youth is a great thing when you have talent to back up the youth. Like I said in earlier threads the talent level coupled with the fact that GRob is back for a second straight year will improve this defense from last year. I really do see this team winning 8 games or more.
February 2nd, 2010 at 2:29 AM ^
I think we'll be fine this year, but in the unlikely event that Rich Rod is gone for 2011, I really hope we make a run after that Hayden Fox guy. No offense to Harbaugh, but winning a MNC with Minnesota State is far more impressive. Plus his daughter is kind of cute.
February 2nd, 2010 at 2:43 AM ^
Plus, we could then get Luther and Dauber with Hayden Fox as a package deal. We'd be unstoppable then.
February 1st, 2010 at 11:48 PM ^
...not quite sold on the RR offense for Big 10 play. It just seems like a precision offense suited best for fair weather, but it gets scary when rain and snow starts to fly. Of course, I'd love to be proven wrong this Fall!
Fingers crossed, baby!
February 1st, 2010 at 11:52 PM ^
West Virginia =/= Sunny California. The weather there is miserable too with plenty of rain and snow to go around.
February 1st, 2010 at 11:59 PM ^
...do Big East defenses = Big Ten defenses?
RR detractors would say that they don't.
February 2nd, 2010 at 1:10 AM ^
Georgia circa 2005 and Oklahoma circa 2007 would like to talk to anyone who thinks RichRod's offense can't work against elite defenses.
February 2nd, 2010 at 12:01 AM ^
...but I still prefer seeing an Anthony Thomas or Ty Wheatley type running back behind a huge O-line wearing down the opposition.
February 2nd, 2010 at 12:07 AM ^
I dream many a night that we still have Ty Wheatley in our backfield. Those were the days. What a fucking beast he was.
February 2nd, 2010 at 12:14 AM ^
The thing is.. RR loves those types of backs as well. He uses whatever he has at his disposal, whether it's a speedy Steve Slaton or a between-the-tackles Avon Coburne.
February 2nd, 2010 at 12:18 AM ^
...keeps signing those 5'10" 165 lb players, it makes me shudder!
February 2nd, 2010 at 1:12 AM ^
Your avatar was 5'10'' and 185 lbs on a rainy day, which leads me to think that you are just talking out of your ass.
February 2nd, 2010 at 2:46 AM ^
Tough to argue with that logic. Though, the great Ace Ventura talked out of his ass and he saved Snowflake, Dan Marino and the Super Bowl, so he is in good company.
February 2nd, 2010 at 3:21 AM ^
I may have born again, but I wasn't born again yesterday.
February 2nd, 2010 at 8:26 AM ^
...like Stephen Hopkins?
February 2nd, 2010 at 12:21 AM ^
But there are reasons I disagree with this:
- RR may be bringing in more passing for us, but he still know a thing or two about a run-based offense.
- While we have a lot of scatbacks and the like, he has shown he knows the importance of a big back. Look at Minor, and now we have Cox and Hopkins to fill that role.
- Like others said, the offense worked just fine in the snow and rain of WVA. Don't forget Cinci, Oregon, and maybe even some of the teams in the Big 12 North. They all run spreads, be they aerial or ground attacks, and they did quite well this year.
February 2nd, 2010 at 6:30 AM ^
Northwestern's offense works just fine, and they don't even get good recruits.
February 2nd, 2010 at 8:50 AM ^
Florida and Oklahoma do fine with the spread, too. Two years ago, Texas Tech did great with players who didn't make the recruiting "cut" at Texas. For that matter, the best years the Lions have had since the 1950's came with the spread option precursor Run and Shoot.
I see at least eight wins next year. Why?
Same DC two years in a row
D finally "got it" against OSU
Help on D from redshirts and recruits
More depth and experience at QB
OL should be better
Team that was too young last year will be a year older, bigger, and stronger
More familiarity with offense
RR should finally be able to install more of his offense
They only need to improve enough to beat Illinois, MSU, and Purdue. That isn't much of an improvement. Actually, to be arrogant about it, it's Michigan's birthright.
Besides, I think people are severely overrating UConn. The Big East isn't that great of a conference, and UConn's "signature win" against ND was a case of them playing their best game and catching late "momentum" against a team coached by an idiot.
If the OL can keep Forcier healthy this year and open up some holes for whoever plays RB, most of us should be pretty happy by November.
February 2nd, 2010 at 9:09 AM ^
"UConn's "signature win" against ND was a case of them playing their best game and catching late "momentum" against a team coached by an idiot."
That seems strangely familiar...
February 1st, 2010 at 11:56 PM ^
I don't expect us to compete for the MNC or even the Big 10 next year, but I do expect to see an improvement that ends with a bowl game. Yeah the schedule is difficult, but a lot of those games are definitely winnable.
February 2nd, 2010 at 12:11 AM ^
...of a bowl game this year, but it's sad to think the normally lofty Michigan football standards (automatic 8 or 9 wins) have been replaced with "hoping" we somehow win a Chick-fil-A Bowl appearance. Hard to fathom for an old timer like me with vivid memories of the Bob Ufer days.
Here's hoping RR can pull this together. Hell, I'd settle for wins against MSU and OSU this year without a bowl birth!
February 2nd, 2010 at 1:15 AM ^
Why would Michigan play in a bowl with SEC and ACC tie-ins? Also, you know what record of Virginia Tech (one of the participants in this past year's Chick-Fil-A Bowl) was going into the game? 9-3
February 2nd, 2010 at 12:18 AM ^
We should look at next season with rose colored glasses. Yes we were 5-7 last year, but were maybe several plays at most from being 8-4 (Iowa,Purdue,MSU). A couple of bounces our way, even with the horrible defense and no one is talking hot seat for RR. We will defintely improve on both sides of the ball with more experience and depth (defensively we have no where to go but up). Keep the faith...GO BLUE!
February 2nd, 2010 at 9:10 AM ^
You also have to admit we were a couple bounces away from losing to ND and Indiana. It's feasible that we could have gone 3-9, though that would have been with a ton of close losses.
February 2nd, 2010 at 12:18 AM ^
Dude Vlad Emilien says we're going to go 12-0, and I'm with him.
Actually on second thought I think we are going 13-0 with a win over Oregon in the Rose Bowl. Here's to Rich Rodriguez's "Point a Minute" teams. Outscoring the competition 987 - 76 in 2010.
February 2nd, 2010 at 12:26 AM ^
I like this. More please.
February 2nd, 2010 at 12:26 AM ^
In a related topic, any ideas how good Purdue will be this year? They looked they were much improved last season.
February 2nd, 2010 at 12:56 AM ^
Not to pick on anyone but since when has beating Ron Zook been the catalyst for a turning around a program or a winning season?? I live in Chicago and would like nothing more for us to beat Illinois (Northwestern, and every other B10 team for that matter) so I can wear my UofM hat with a Win backing me up.
Improvement against the B10 is a must. Beating Illinois, Purdue, Indiana, MSU will happen and we should take one of the Iowa/Wisconsin games at home..
Here to a big finish on Wednesday and the start of the DG era..
February 2nd, 2010 at 1:03 AM ^
here's to hoping the start of the DG era is delayed til at least 2011
February 2nd, 2010 at 1:09 AM ^
DG is on Campus and whether or not he see the field in 2010 or not, he is the future...
No?
February 2nd, 2010 at 2:12 AM ^
I think the offense showed they were on the verge of being something special last year.I have high expectations for them in 2010.
If we can manage even a mediocre defense...2010 will be remembered as "the turn arround".
February 2nd, 2010 at 3:58 AM ^
The night is dark, the moon is high,
I stop my car, u ask why?
I come close to u, u feel shy,
I tell u those three magical words....
Hye La, Puncture!!!
For More Hindi Funny Jokes Login To...
February 2nd, 2010 at 8:28 AM ^
Great attempt to stay on topic.
February 2nd, 2010 at 8:53 AM ^
Even if you can read Hindi.
February 2nd, 2010 at 5:49 AM ^
when he was 1 he could barely walk or talk. A year later, hes, running, climbing, talkin, eating on his own & next year I am sure he will improve on all those 10 fold... What I am saying is oh what a difference a year makes.