Maybe RR should bust out the highlight (or lowlight) tape of the '08 Toledo game this week
We're going to be ranked in a few hours and that has the potential to be a distraction to a young team that hasn't been ranked in a while.
There's going to be plenty of media interest and TV interviews this week and the last thing we want is for our guys to get distracted and allow UMASS or BG to give us fits and hurt our ranking or [angry Michigan-hating] God forbid, pull off an upset
Many of our current starters were on that team and it might serve everyone well to remember how it felt to lose to a team that we should have easily beaten
September 12th, 2010 at 1:31 AM ^
RR just has to have this team ready to go, we will steam roll UMass like we did to baby seal U
September 12th, 2010 at 1:37 AM ^
...I can't imagine that those who have stayed (and will be Champions) will be forgettting any time soon. They can remind anyone who needs it.
September 12th, 2010 at 1:41 AM ^
This team is focused and out to prove they are back ( I know the defense is not quite there yet). I think we'll have to show some mercy on the next two baby seals. I think we'll see our RB put up some big numbers against these two defenses since our OL will dominate. DROB may even get to rest the last quarter or even half and let Fourcier and Gardner play after getting 20 + point leads by the half.
I hope they're focused going down to Bloomington after being 4-0. I think our offense will be too much for Indiana to handle.
September 12th, 2010 at 1:52 AM ^
An upset isn't the only bad thing that can happen. We could have unexpected struggles against UMASS or BG the way MSU struggled against FAU today. They were supposed to win by 4 TDs, but they only won by 10. Even if MSU were to win out, that game will hurt them.
We can't just beat a small program like UMASS or BG...we have to dominate them, or else we risk falling out of the top 25 in the next couple of weeks.
September 12th, 2010 at 4:17 AM ^
I think MSU struggled because they're not that good. Just sayin'. They struggled against WMU too.
September 12th, 2010 at 2:48 AM ^
Since I don't think Rich Rod will need to resort to any motiviational tricks to assure a W over UMass, I would prefer that the Toledo game film be fed through a shredder, that the shreds then be burned, and the ashes scattered somewhere along I-75.
September 12th, 2010 at 2:48 AM ^
UMASS is 2-0 (in the FCS Colonial Athletic Association) but they racked up 500+ yards of offense in their win today. I'm sure our coaching staff will have our team focused and ready to play but I think these next two teams will give our second/third offenses (ESPECIALLY MR FORCIER) and defenses a chance to get some playing time/coaching up to prepare out depth for the big ten season. Oh yea Denard can probably get some rest.
September 12th, 2010 at 4:47 AM ^
Most important thing is to keep our QB healthy, and figure out who is gonna kick.
September 12th, 2010 at 8:34 AM ^
We aren't good enough to play bad and win. We are capable of losing either game, but we are the better team going into both.
Rodriguez will send the proper messages and these guys are sick of being disrespected and doubted. So he could probably stay fully mute on the topic and they would cover it.
One thing that is very evident through 2 weeks is this group brings great energy and group passion every down. That togetherness helps make up for inexperience or still developing physical talent.