Michigan #6 in the Big 10
Adam Rittenberg has Michigan currently at #6 in the Big 10 - a big step up from his previous Power Rankings that had us #9.
http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten
He notes that Michigan was the most impressive Big 10 team(!) over the weekend given the circumstances.
Additionally, he ranks Rodriguez the #4 recruiting closer in the Big Ten.
September 8th, 2009 at 10:10 AM ^
Penn St, OSU, Iowa, Mich St, and yes, NW seem more impressive at this stage. Things change week to week, and I would expect us to leapfrog NW and Iowa next week if we show well against ND. I think a top 3 finish for us is reasonable to high optimism this year.
But Illinois gets the "over rated, clap clap clap-clap-clap" this week... Jeebus Zooker!
September 8th, 2009 at 10:15 AM ^
the competition, but Purdue looked better (or at least had a better result) than Iowa. Wouldn't you agree?
September 8th, 2009 at 3:36 PM ^
Aside from its kick-block unit, how did Iowa look more impressive than us?
September 8th, 2009 at 10:23 PM ^
Hope they remember they're inferior when we go to Champaign.
September 8th, 2009 at 10:13 AM ^
I just saw Minnesota is opening up TCF Bank Palace against Air Force. I believe AF has been given clearance to kill gophers by the United Nations.
Prediction:
AF 50, Varmit Cong 14
September 8th, 2009 at 10:24 AM ^
so they'll have to fall back on superior firepower and superior intelligence. and that's all she wrote.
September 8th, 2009 at 10:15 AM ^
Wow, that is great to hear. I can't wait to see how our play translates in the polls.
September 8th, 2009 at 11:50 AM ^
Nice avatar.
September 8th, 2009 at 10:25 AM ^
#4 Recruiting closer since he's been at Michigan? If that's what he's ranking, I'd think he'll move up once we start winning some more games.
September 8th, 2009 at 10:28 AM ^
Rittenberg actually asked my input for the recruiting closer part.
He asked me what coach I thought was the best closer, and I said it was hands down Rich Rodriguez. Every recruit that I've spoken to has always come away impressed with him.
The way they talk about Rich Rod is like he's completely different from all the other coaches. He rarely discusses football, and usually asks them about their personal life. They all seem very comfortable with him from the get go. I think if he had more time, and less responsibilities, he could be one of the best recruiters out there.
September 8th, 2009 at 11:25 AM ^
One thing I really like is that Rich Rod doesn't seem to use negative recruiting against the other teams. Someone let me know if I'm off base on that. I like the idea of the coach going into a kids house and not showing any insecurities by talking about what the other teams are doing, and why they aren't as good. Just sell Michigan and that is enough.
September 8th, 2009 at 11:38 AM ^
negative recruit, but i know of a few green coaches that do
September 8th, 2009 at 12:18 PM ^
on UM boards, but there have been numerous quotes that contradict this from Spartan recruits.
Realistically, I'm sure that all schools negative recruit to some degree, subtly or otherwise. I highly doubt that any perceptive recruiter is not aware of who they're competing with and what they need to emphasize.
September 8th, 2009 at 11:58 AM ^
That's exactly right. The recruits always say that he doesn't talk about other programs, because he wants them to focus on Michigan, and what they're doing right.
September 8th, 2009 at 1:10 PM ^
Does he remind them that our helmet has wings?
September 8th, 2009 at 11:32 AM ^
The difference between the stereotype that he's a taskmaster who only cares about wins and losses, and the players opinion that he deeply cares about their success, not just on the field but in the classroom and in life. Its hard to find a coach who can exist in that happy medium where he is pushing players enough to be a championship caliber team, yet not losing site of the big picture in their life. The personal involvement with his athletes reminds me of something my HS Wrestling coach says, "An athlete can be as good as he or she wants to be, our job is to provide them every tool to reach that potential." Rodriguez strikes me as a man who thinks like that. His system is designed to put players in the best possible position to maximize their potential.
September 8th, 2009 at 11:40 AM ^
In that way he seems alot like Lloyd. Caring about the kids, not just his own hyde.
September 8th, 2009 at 12:12 PM ^
Minnesota finished 6th last year and were 7-5 (3-5) with a bowl loss. I could handle that record, especially since it would mean we beat the Irish with room to beat both MSU and OSU.
September 8th, 2009 at 10:40 PM ^
I think there is no doubt that our performance against WMU caught a lot of people's attention. However, a lot of that was because of 3-9 and all the allegations surrounding Coach Rod. So it was almost as if everyone was expecting UM to come out and lay an egg, but instead they exceeded even most of our expectations. I know I personally was almost as worried as I was excited for this game. Now that we were able to show we're a competent team again for the first week, people will instantly expect the team to be Michigan again, and they can go a long way by showing that's true by putting a solid game up against a quality ND team. This game could end up exposing many of our weaknesses, but also display how quickly changes have been made. Hopefully we are able to weather a few big plays that are likely to happen, put pressure on Jimmy, and put together consistent drives on offense. I sure hope we win, I HATE! Losing to ND. GO BLUE!