MSU 10=UM 11
I will not relent until I get some people off the ledge of "Woe is Michigan our defense will never get better". Here is another comparison.
MSU-3rd year under Dantonio. Sophmore qb making his 1st starts looks pretty good, but is prone to bonehead turnovers. Defense is a disaster save the 1 NFL bound stud and gets embarrassed in several games. The Valentis call for the defensive coordinators head as a young secondary looks lost time and again.
UM- 3rd year under RR. Pretty much the same.
Our offense is better, their defense was better, but it follows along pretty closely. the other thing that follows along pretty closely is that much like MSU this year....we avoid a top team on the schedule, get tough games at home and it all sets up for great success.
The defense will be better, say it, the defense will be better, the defense will better. Stop being a Gloomy Gus, this defense will be much better next year. To not see that is being a Freep , yeah I said it, if you don't believe this defense will be much improved you're a Freep and I know that's harsh for a family show, but you deserve it. It's not PC to call people Freeps, but if you act like a Freep I'm going to call you out. Freakin Freeps, just typical of those kinds of people. Don't be a Freep.
November 29th, 2010 at 2:34 PM ^
Given the way critics of the coaching staff have been systematically attacked on this board for three years, this is just laughable.
November 29th, 2010 at 2:46 PM ^
That he's dine this exact same post 4 times a day for the last 3 days.
November 29th, 2010 at 3:29 PM ^
I'd rather see the same exact post by him than see the same negative posts by you or other posters over and over...
November 30th, 2010 at 3:38 PM ^
Because I love your avatar.
November 29th, 2010 at 4:15 PM ^
Grumble grumble grumble OSU is an exact quote from the nay-sayers. I mean hahaha to anyone who doesn't think a year of experience for this team will change the outcome of the OSU game from an absolute shellacking that was over in the early 3Q into a Michigan victory. They will all be an entire year older!
It would be one thing if we lose to OSU in close fashion, or hell if we lost to any decent team in close fasion, but we have been consistently routed by any above average team we play.
You look at your OMG YARDS argument (ignoring the fact that the biggest knock on the spread is the fact that it constantly stalls inside the 20 once the field is condensed), and ignore the fact that in year 3 this team has not been able to be even remotely competitive with any top team in the B10.
November 29th, 2010 at 2:34 PM ^
I admire your grit. But you have to understand, some will never accept this coach. That's just the way it is. The logic, reasoning, universe, or whatever just don't matter. They didn't like him coming in and they're sticking to that model.
Personally, I feel bad for these individuals. It must suck to know that the guy may stay and win. That must just eat the shit out of their brains. To know that a guy from West Virginia has come in here and is close to winning with a different style or brand of football which we weren't accustomed to must be aggravating as hell. Maybe we can offer them some therapy.
November 29th, 2010 at 2:50 PM ^
It's the NOT winning that is bothering people more. And the NOT being close to teams with a pulse. If he was winning, there'd be few complaints. I think people who have completely fallen into the cult of Rich Rod are kinda afraid he might get fired.
November 29th, 2010 at 3:04 PM ^
I was beyond thrilled when Rodriguez was introduced. I couldn't believe he left his alma mater and was looking forward to lots of success.
I still hope for success, but it increasingly looks like it isn't going to work out here. The defense had the three worst years in points allowed in school history from 2008-10 including 406 points this season--worst in school history. I don't know why the group of completely untested guys that will come on line next season is going to make things better, but that seems to be the meme from the staff's supporters.
Hopefully I'm wrong, because I think Rodriguez will be back next season.
November 29th, 2010 at 2:53 PM ^
I agree that there probably are some people like that, and it's unfair that RR has had to deal with them. But they are a small minority, and I don't think any of them post here. If you think any of us here who are upset with the current situation feel this way because of RR's accent, style of play or any other intangible things, you are just plain wrong. I like RR as a person. I like his folksy ways. I've rooted like heck for the guy to succeed and if he's retained, I'll do the same next season. I've just lost faith in the guy's ability to win here. Liking him and believing he'll win championships are two different things. And unfortunately, I don't think going 3-5 and getting outscored by 67 points in Big Ten play means we're close to winning championships.
November 29th, 2010 at 3:51 PM ^
I agree word for word. As annoying as the people who have hated Rich from day 1 are, the Rich defenders who now attack people who want change based on the putrid results are just as annoying.
The controversy ultimately exists because we are 1-14 against the Big Ten power programs and actually got worse against each of them this season. The criticism is more results- based than the "Rich will win national titles" brigade wants to believe.
He may yet get his chance here. As much as many of us love the idea of Harbaugh, I won't dispute that keeping Rich is no worse than our second best option. The evidence that Harbaugh is on the radar is all weak circumstantial at best right now. It makes perfect sense and because we like the idea, we read non-evidence to support our wishes. It is almost like surmising the outcome of Clue before the first turn because we are tired of boring old Professor Plum and we now prefer Colonel Mustard.
November 29th, 2010 at 4:14 PM ^
So, just to be clear, the big problem with RR is that he's from West Virginia and has a 'different style or brand of football'? I'm not sure if I should be offended at your insinuation or just laugh.
No rational person cares about that. It's not the style, it's that pesky W/L record. It's the losing to MSU 3 years in a row. It's getting owned by OSU 3 years in a row. It's losing to Iowa in years where Iowa loses to Minnesota.
The simple fact is: RR's teams have not been competitive against good teams. Those who are defending RR must execute a complex verbal pirouette around his W/L record.
November 30th, 2010 at 7:27 AM ^
what you have there is what some gamblers may call a 'freeroll': if he loses, HAHAHA SEE I WAS RIGHT! if he wins, HAHAHA MY TEAM RULEZ'.
November 29th, 2010 at 2:48 PM ^
the OP had a good thaught i just think 10msu is closer to 09iowa since i dont think either school will ever be a national power.
November 29th, 2010 at 2:52 PM ^
November 29th, 2010 at 6:56 PM ^
I get your point but don't ever compare us to MSU for any reason.
November 29th, 2010 at 8:27 PM ^
MSU got a huge personnel boost from CB Johnny Adams coming back from injury. He came on strong as a freshmen in 2008. Should have started last year, but was lost early early on.
He's played all 12 games this year and suddenly the pieces just fall into place better in the secondary and the MSU DBs become cluth turnover machines and pass break-up artists, especially in the red zone.
Here's hoping a healthy return to form from Troy can help engineer something close to that. It would go a long way to turning 7 wins into something closer to conference contention.
November 29th, 2010 at 8:48 PM ^
If 2011 UM is 2010 MSU, does that mean our schedule is going to be as easy as pie as well?
November 30th, 2010 at 7:29 AM ^
but pie is delicious.