RichRod: Season Five

I agree, looks very nice

I think most "rational" thinkers pretty much agree that THIS year is "make or break."

Look, if Rodriguez stinks it up this year--he's gone. I think that pretty much sums up rational thought.

Let's say the team sucks ass this year and next year (again). Who the fuck would think he deserves a fifth year?

What next, "Look out in 2019!"?

Love the enthusiasm. I agree, we're looking good in the next couple years as our young players develop. Not sure about the comparison to USC's secondary. I just don't think the raw athleticism is there. The moment that sticks out to me was watching Carlos Brown streak past Emilien during the spring game with ease. Maybe his knee gets better? Also, sounds like Christian is skilled, but a little lacking on speed from reports. Still think they could be real good though.

It is hard to argue with what you say, but you need to consider that the fan base may not be that patient.

If next year shows some level of improvement, say at least 7-5, he will get year four. A trap that is easy to fall into is to assume that the general Michigan fan base has the same level of sophistication as those who regularly read Mgoblog. If you don't understand the personnel issues, you would blame RichRod's coaching for the difficulties we have endured the last two years.

Personally, I give him two more years to take us to a position where the last game of the season has us a win from Pasadena or better, although if we win ten games, no one is going to pull the plug.

A factor that you don't consider in your analysis is the NFL. If some of the players you noted have reached high levels of accomplishment you suggest, you need to consider that some of them may be gone. Sam Bradford's injury definitely changed the rules.

Lots of use for that word for a bunch of guys who have never played college football.

As far as RR’s recruiting, I think he has done a good job of recruiting in an effort to fill holes in the team. It’s like trying to patch a sinking ship while at sea, just fill the holes with whatever you can get your hands on easily, but serviceable. In fairness to RR, he had a lot of holes to fill and has offered the big recruits but the low win-loss ratio at Michigan might play a factor in not landing an abundance of big time recruits.

As far as RR’s longevity at UofM, I think that any progress next year will almost guarantee another year at the helm of UofM football for RR and his staff. Even the biggest Debbie-downers would be hard to argue that next year will not see progress given the youth returning (a lot of the youth have experience) and the talent potentially leaving to play on Sundays around the conference.
Given the problems faced by RR in his first two years; huge senior class leaving before he was the man in charge, imbalanced recruiting in previous years, abnormally high attrition (due to many factors), new schemes all around, and the Jihads, I am convinced that the new AD and MOST people involved in end or extending RR’s career at Michigan would be aware of the afore mentioned issues and would give him the opportunity to coach his recruits at least until a senior class of HIS graduates. I predict we will see a minimum of three more years of RR at Michigan.

I like the optimism, let's just hope the team starts turning the corner this year. The last thing I want to see is Rich Rod get fired and the team rebuilding all over again.

Assuming that Tate develops into a solid starting QB and is a four year starter, redshirting Devin Gardner is extremely important. The last thing we want is for him to play in limited time in 2010, only to blow a year of eligibility and leave him only a year to start. There are downsides to the redshirt, though. By redshirting Gardner, Denard would likely remain at QB for next season. I know Denard was a true freshman this year, but I just don't think he has the passing abilities to be a QB in the Big Ten. Hopefully Rich Rod will be able to find some ways to use him at other positions while leaving him at QB.

year 5 is getting ahead of yourself. I hope that this team turns things around next year and can beat maybe 3 teams in the Big Ten. That would be nice. I will not predict any sort of longevity for RR until he starts winning at UM. I loved the coaching pick and I really like his style of play. I just hate seeing our program suck more than Boise State. Hell, we are a low level team in a bad conference right now. As soon as they start a defense that can stop anybody, I'll start to entertain thoughts of a future with RR. Right now, I'm skeptical. Show me, baby. Show me some Defense for once.

This has to be the emo/saban guy. Let's worry about this year, because it is make or break. There's a good chance we will win 7 or less games, and if we do RR might not be here the year after.

2010 is the make or break year for Rod, not 2012. Anything less than 7 wins and I wouldn't be surprised if Rod was let go. Either we make the leap forward or fall into a deep abyss for the next few years.

Oh you've seen them play? How did they look? Highlight mix tapes yes/no!?!?!!?!?!?!!?!?!?

Blast this Ohio wireless network! Bad enough I have to live in this Godforsaken hole of a place, but now it even messes up my postings....

Regardless of the comments on this board, we do not know the thoughts of the people who would be making this decision. Make or break at what level? Number of wins, bowl game, Big Ten championship, beat OSU/MSU/PSU? Make or break for how long? 1 additional year or 3 additional years or ?????

I think that the question will be one of progress made as viewed by AD and President, and that we will not see him fired or offered a big extension (a la ND with Weiss). The Michigan athletic department and administration has a long history of giving coaches time provided they don't hit any NCAA infractions skids.

That's what past history says, and I'd say the likelihood is great that they will stay on that course!

although I don't agree his 5th year will be make or break, I do agree that we will have tons of talent by then. I was gonna make a post about something like this but got lazy so I'm glad you took care of it...+1

I was positive your "season 5" post was a joke. Seems not.
I can't imagine any "rational thinker" believing that RR will be given five years to show what he can do. Next season is his last chance.

I understand that folks want patience with RR, but the notion of giving him five years for his experiment makes me ill.

Even a couple more years of losing could destroy our recruiting for years to come. If you think the alumni base will tolerate even a third year of losing, you're nowhere near rational. You're insane.

There's no guarantee Rodriguez will see year 4, let alone year 5.

As we have seen Rodriguez seems to turn things around in his third year with a team. Now weather or not he has the right players yet is left to be decided. It seemed like the first four weeks he had things moving after the ND upset. Then came Indiana and we suddenly just didn't play like we were ranked 25th. In my opinion had we not of had that call go our way in our conference opener, Indiana probably would of beaten us. We in reality would have lost all our Big Ten games. But this coming year we have to do better in conference play. I am very sick of losing to Purdue, Illinois and Michigan State. If Rodriguez wants to help guarantee his stay here then a victory if MSU would definitely help. Losing to Sparty 3 years in a row is disgusting I'm sorry but that’s a game we need to win this year. Michigan just needs to be a consistent team and then we will do fine. Road wins are must wins this year and weak teams like Purdue and Illinois should be easy games for us. There is really no excuse for losing to these teams three years in a row. I'd love to see us beat OSU in Ohio Stadium but it's a difficult task no doubt. As long as we go 500 or above, beat MSU, ND or OSU and make a bowl, I'll be happy.

i still think 2011 is our national championship year. just wait

RR's pattern has been one of improvement everywhere he goes. I can't imagine this team not getting better next year. Even with its defensive woes, this team was good enough to go 8-4 before injuries to Molk and Forcier. When Molk came back for a series, UM marched down the field pretty easily on PSU. When he was reinjured, they couldn't move the ball at all. That is no coincidence.

The OL will be a year older, bigger, and more experienced. Molk should be back barring the unthinkable, but they should be more able to sustain his loss if it happens again. Forcier should be healthy enough to have his pre-injury velocity on the ball again, and between DG and a more experienced Denard, there should be a much more viable plan B at QB.

Also, I feel that the defense will be more like the defense that finally "got it" against OSU than the one that allowed Purdue and Illinois to walk all over it. They'll miss BG, but there should be enough improvement across the board to compensate for his absence. This should be enough to make a big difference in what is still a pretty weak conference once you get past the top three teams.

This team could easily end up being the surprise team of college football next season. And the one great thing about all the feces the MSM has dumped on UM the last two years is that they have set the stage for a decent season being a big "comeback story." The MSM may suck in a lot of ways, but they do love a comeback almost as much as they love to wallow in a massive fail.

This season, Michigan was just bad enough to be beaten by the tier of MSU, Purdue, and Illinois. Minimal improvement will turn those games into victories. They should sweep their OOC schedule, and really shouldn't lose to Indiana, MSU, Purdue, or Illinois. That means that they should win eight, and if they can beat any of Iowa, Wisky, PSU, or OSU, they will be at nine or higher.

It may be another year before they are as good as PSU or OSU, but the amount of improvement needed to get to eight games isn't really very much. I can't imagine them not getting there.

Negative speculation of RR's future would probably be better tabled and revisited at the end of next year if anyone really wants to. Your mileage may vary.