A few clarifying facts about Oregon-Arizona
Why does this require it's own post? Because some people are going to suggest that Zona' performance is "proof" of RR's status as the next Saban.
Here's why it it questionable.
Oregon's OL is flat out atrocious due to injuries. They gave up 7 sacks to Washington State's crappy defense. If WSU can cause havoc in Oregon's backfield than that suggests Oregon isn't very good at this blocking thing. In all honesty we ought to have been on upset alert after Oregon struggled to beat what is a bad Washington State team.
Secondly, Arizona is 75th in the nation(after tonight) in scoring defense. That is atrocious and reminiscent to what RR did at UM.So contrary to what some have suggested RR still does not have a good defense.Casteel is not the miracle worker some have made him out to be.
It's about fit and RR fits better in the Pac 12 than in the Big Ten. RR's emphasis is on speed while the Big Ten is size and power.
In having said all that it has to feel good for RR for his team to flourish whilst UM's goes Three Mile Island. The injustice he was subjected to by some UM "supporters" while head coach has to have Rodriguez' inner Nelson express itself.
UM is an embarrassment. Arizona is seemingly on the rise. What a perfect storm of suck this is for Dave Brandon and Michigan fans.
October 3rd, 2014 at 10:26 AM ^
No, Arizona isn't some powerhouse yet. The point is, RR the head coach has been able to beat a top 5 time twice in two years...tell me, when's the last time Michigan has done that?
All I can think about is how ridiculous all those sports analysts like Dan Dakich sound when they dismiss Brian's arguments. I mean, this athletic department has failed Michigan since the RR hire. The problem isn't Brady Hoke. The problem was never Brady Hoke. The problem was never about a noodle. Or seat cushions. Those are just symptoms. The problem is the fucking athletic department. And all these former athletes and other sports personalities want to tell us we're the ones overreacting by calling for Dave Brandon's head? No. This program has been floundering since 2008, with no clear path forward still. And that's fucking pathetic.
October 3rd, 2014 at 11:00 AM ^
Salvatore your post is pretty funny. You know that right? I've read your completely unbiased clarification and I still say that there are not 10 better teams in college football than Oregon and it was in Autzen. It's a pretty impressive win, the best so far this year and will be at the end of the year as well. Not only was the game in Autzen but a blackout game reserved for the teams Oregon was especially focused on this season. Oregon is an elite program and continues to be year in and year out. Rich Rod has prepared a team in Arizona, with inferior talent by a mile, to beat Oregon two years in a row. Let that sink in. Oh but Oregon wasn't fully healthy for the game! Ok cool, any more excuses? Arizona wasn't fully healthy for the game and they sure as hell have not had the chance to stockpile talent anywhere near Oregon. Name 10 teams that go to Autzen and beat them.
You say that RR is nowhere near Saban in terms of coaching. Let's put it this way. What exactly would it take for you to admit Rich Rod is an elite coach? Does he have to win a National Championship at Arizona? A Rose Bowl? Keep in mind Arizona is a perennial doormat in the PAC and has never ever even been to a Rose Bowl. Their fan base is laughing at Michigan right now because they know what an absolute dream it is to have gotten RR to come to their school. They know he is elite and I just wonder what it will take for stubborn Michigan fans to see it. Let's get the responses from you all now so that there will be no excuses as to the greatness of RR as a coach when he builds his program up. Let's set the bar so there will be zero excuses when you see what he will be accomplishing.
October 3rd, 2014 at 11:13 AM ^
I'm only interested in ONE "clarifying fact": Arizona 31, Oregon 24. He won the fucking game, fergodssakes.
October 3rd, 2014 at 11:17 AM ^
He's 5-0. He'd won his conference before, he was a broken thumb away from a national title. He was winning more games every season.
He's one of the best coaches in the country and we got rid of him because he had a funny accent and thought that the program that hadn't beaten its chief rivals in years needed reform and that angered the "Michigan Men." That's why we are where we are: arrogance.
October 3rd, 2014 at 12:10 PM ^
October 3rd, 2014 at 12:21 PM ^
October 3rd, 2014 at 12:56 PM ^
We are where we are due to Dave Brandon's arrogance. Nothing to do with Michigan Men, that's a frequent meme here, but makes no sense really.
October 3rd, 2014 at 1:34 PM ^
Sam on WTKA this morning gave us the ultimate realist view. He avoids analyzing the history and simply states that RR wasn't supported here. It is a fact. Opinions on why may differ, or whether he was 17% or 25% at fault - he was not supported in Ann Arbor. I'd even take it further than that - he was actively undermined by his own athletic department. People don't necessarily rewrite history, but we all do focus on facts that we deem significant.
Because RR did not receive support here, we will never know what might have been, and its too late now. As Sam said, water under the bridge now.
I can only hope that the "THEY" figure out what to do in order to restore this program.
October 3rd, 2014 at 1:42 PM ^
Michigan has higher rated recruits than AZ yet would have been destroyed by Oregon (regardless of the condition of the Oregon OL). Hell, Michigan get destroyed at home by a mediocre Utah team and a mediocre Minnesota team.
So guess which coach is "coaching up" their players better - Rich Rod or Hoke?
Yeah, it is embarrassing.