We are at a critical juncture in the RichRod era

Half our team is ready to compete in the Big10. The other half is along for the ride.

I like what you are saying - I too am excited for the future.  And I'm sure we can agree that winning at home against a ranked Iowa team will go a very long way in changing perceptions of this team--- and this program.

However, I don't think that any fan of the program with the most all-time wins and highest winning percentage, and multiple national championships can really, honestly, say that the past does not matter.   

And that's what makes 0-6 against the Buckeyes matter.  And 0-3 against Sparty matters. 

took off. Everyone who picked 7-5 or 8-4 and said they'd be satisfied with that (including me) said so before we knew Denard was this good. Given how critical QB is to offensive play, I think many people mentally upgraded their expectations--meaning our ability to play good teams better, and to play much better than mediocre teams. If Tate was our QB I'd be fine with 7-5 given our defense--with Denard at this level, 7-5 is disappointing IMO.

This game is huge only to us die-hard Michigan fans who are sick and f***ing tired of hearing little brother and everyone else tell us how bad we are and how far we've fallen.  We want it because it would indeed go a very long way to silencing the haters, but to RR and to the team, this game is no bigger than any other game on the schedule.  There are just too many ups and downs for them to pin that much emphasis on one game, especially against a non-rival.

yes, if we beat iowa the critics quite and yes , if we lose they say this is the beginning of the slide, ut it does not matter- it will be what it will be- by that i mean where we end up is what will matter to an even keeled man like brandon.  if this is the beginning of the slide then all the haters and even some die hards will be all over rr and brandon will have a tough decision . but , what if we win and then slide?  is 6-6 that much better, what if we lose and end up 8-4- would this game have mattered? 

let's just let the season play out.  i know it's hard and our hearts nearly stop beating every weekend, but it will be what it will be.

This is exactly what I was trying to convey in my post.  I've been a RichRod supporter since before we hired him.  His teams were ALWAYS fun to watch.  I started following his career when Woody Dantzler was at Clemson.  Even if he is 6-6, I want him here next year because I have seen improvement every year since 2008.  What I want more than that though is to silence the haters.  Its embarrasing how many high profile boosters are rooting for his demise.  These factions within Michigan are ridiculous.

If we lose, we lose, its just another game.  But if we win, it helps more than a normal win.

...and I don't mean this to start an argument, but when will it be legitimate for fans/boosters to begin questioning the direction of the program and the future of the coach? After we lose a winnable game this year (say we lose to Illinois, or Purdue, or Penn State)? After we fall to 0-3 against OSU in Rich Rod's tenure? After the bowl game, should we get to one? Or do we have to wait until year 4 is complete?

Good point. Forgot about them.

Illinois may lay MSU somewhat close this Saturday, but their loss to IU in a couple weeks will put them right back where they belong... on a course for a 3-5 or 2-6 conference record.

At the end of the year people will look back at the PSU/Illini game as the battle for 8th place.

Of course my argument was extremely broad.  There has been more going on with this program under RR than simply (as you would say) LOOSING players -- NCAA bullshit allegations, transfers, injuries, position changes, decommits, etc.  Not saying all of that isn't a result of simply RR, but some of it isn't.  We have had some tough, tough breaks the last few years and I think we are on the upside.  Wins will come.

...in college football, since about 1990 you get 3 seasons to show something then you are gone.  So for RR to get that 4th season he need to show "U of M Isn't a finesse team that you can just out physical" (I don't even blame DS for saying it on 1130 this afternoon, he was only repeating what everyone else was saying.

If you post in good faith and you're not egregiously stupid, then there will be no recipe.

It seems like the poster is trying to build up the importance of Iowa because he thinks it'll be a win.

I never said "he only has to improve by one win every year to keep his job."  What I said was he has to show tangible progress this year, which at minimum means 6 wins.

And this...

He starts 5-0, and goes 6-6, he's fired. That's not even hating, that's just the way it's going to be.  And don't kid yourself otherwise.

...is just delusional.  We just heard a report that David Brandon is telling recruits RichRod does NOT have a minimum # wins in order to keep his job, and he WILL be here for a long time.  When it comes to assertions about RichRod's job security, I'll believe Brandon before I ever believe you.