November 2nd, 2010 at 5:13 PM ^
the illini have minny then NW and then finish the season at fresno state
I do not see them sweeping those games
so 7 wins with a loss against UofM is their ceiling...I don't know if that is enough
November 2nd, 2010 at 5:18 PM ^
Wait, what?
Illinois' 3 losses are to OSU, Mizzou, and MSU. Those three teams have 3 losses COMBINED.
If they lose to Mich by a close margin, I'd have to imagine they'd still be favored in their remaining three games...
November 2nd, 2010 at 5:18 PM ^
Dude Illinois is going to smoke those last 3 teams. This weekend's game is definitely their hardest test left.
November 15th, 2010 at 12:15 PM ^
Dude Illinois is going to smoke those last 3 teams.
Huh... how about that...
November 2nd, 2010 at 5:10 PM ^
I think he can survive with a loss. Look at the teams hes lost to this year. They have a combined record of something like 23-3. One hicup at the big house isn't going to kill him. Their record is not really indicative of how they've played. I'd bet they kill their bowl oppenent because of that.
November 2nd, 2010 at 5:11 PM ^
Rod- Highly unlikey
November 2nd, 2010 at 7:54 PM ^
Zook's team has played all its tough games and is on a bit of a winning streak. Zook's chance of getting fired is practically nil.
RR has a lot of tough games left and is on a losing streak. Don't think he gets fired unless the result is ridiculous, (something like 56-21) but the chances are better for Rodriguez.
November 2nd, 2010 at 5:12 PM ^
Neither will get fired based solely on a loss. There's 3 games after that and in regards to Zook he has a solid and youngish team and has made a big improvement over last years team. You could make the same argument about Michigan (not the defense obviously), but the fans here just aren't as patient.
November 2nd, 2010 at 5:12 PM ^
Double no.
November 2nd, 2010 at 5:13 PM ^
Zook has had a better-than-expected season and, although the media will tell you otherwise, rich rod still has some time left here in Ann Arbor. If Zook fell on his face this year he would have most definitely been fired this season.
November 2nd, 2010 at 5:13 PM ^
Zook will not be fired regardless of the outcome. He has a very young team and could be headed for big things in the future. They kept him after a 3 win season and even with the loss he will beat Minnesota and NW gving him 7 wins!! RR is in a must win scenario but even with a loss to the Illini he still has 3 games to save the seaon. It is going to come down to the end for both coaches not on one game.
November 2nd, 2010 at 5:16 PM ^
They will not be fired after this game, but both have 4 games left and need to go at least 2-2
Losing the first one makes it that much more difficult
November 2nd, 2010 at 5:22 PM ^
Zook is safe unless they drop their last 4 games. Even if they lose to us, they should run the table. Minnesota is inept in every phase of the game, NW has a so-so offense and a suspect run defense, and Fresno got blown out by Ole Miss and Hawaii.
November 2nd, 2010 at 5:24 PM ^
My guess is that this team plays with a sense of urgency, and for that reason might actually win. But if we see another product on the field like the one we saw at PSU, then the hole is probably too deep for RR to climb out of. Like the old saying goes (modified for the current state of UM Football), 'its not only if you lose, its how you play when you lose.'
November 2nd, 2010 at 5:31 PM ^
...to beat the Illini.
November 2nd, 2010 at 5:56 PM ^
Coaches are very rarely fired 3/4ths of the way through the season, because realistically, who could replace him at that point, and what could the replacement do? Anyone you want is probably employed elsewhere, and won’t be available till after the season anyway.
November 2nd, 2010 at 5:42 PM ^
Howeva, another loss the following week to Purdue and the expected debacles against Wisco and OSU could very well spell the end for RR.
The Zooker is probably safe either way. The Illini have exceeded expectations this season, UM on the other hand...
November 2nd, 2010 at 5:50 PM ^
At the end of the day, no matter what, Ron Zook looks great on a pair of water skis.
November 2nd, 2010 at 10:19 PM ^
Where Zook goes he don't need skis.
November 2nd, 2010 at 7:35 PM ^
to save his job.
Illini look pretty good.
November 2nd, 2010 at 7:52 PM ^
We definitely need a win. I don't really see how Illinois needs a win. They've bounced back pretty nicely. It's about time we won a must-win game.
November 2nd, 2010 at 8:35 PM ^
Rod needs a win, sadly it will have to come against Purdue. Zook is safe.
November 2nd, 2010 at 10:05 PM ^
Nope.
November 15th, 2010 at 11:43 AM ^
Zook really needs to right his ship and get his team back to winning
1 win away from a bowl, and NW is playing hard (albeit with a Freshman QB for next game)