Tressel vs. Rodriguez - The Future
This might be kind of obvious, but it was really reinforced to me today at the game. The methods that Jim Tressel and Rich Rodriguez use to win football games are almost completely opposite. Tressel stresses a top notch defense and needs his offense to only be competant enough to score a couple touchdowns and not screw up. Rodriguez stresses a top notch offense and needs his defense to only be competant enough to hold the opposition under 30 while his offense over runs the opposition.
If we operate under the assumption that Michigan will see things through with Rich Rod and he will get UM operating up to the standards of '06 / '07 WVU, the next 5 - 10 years are going to be pretty interesting in this rivalry. Tressel showed he could win a shootout or two in '06, but that doesn't seem to be his comfort zone. Here's to hoping that when this thing is fully up and running, OSU won't know what hit them and a nice little streak of our own will start.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:11 PM ^
TreseLLLLLL. How many L's before he's sent to sweater vest heaven?
November 21st, 2009 at 9:13 PM ^
No good coach decides he's going to outscore all of his opponents and not care that much about his defense. Rich Rodriguez had some veryg good defense's at WVU, especially his last year. He just didn't get a lot of recruits in his prior stops to consistently have that. This team did not have 11 good players starting on D, and that's due to our youth/attrition. He got good recruits last year, this year, and has guys coming up through the ranks (Smith and Demens stood out to me in the Wiscy game as having a lot of toughness). Focusing on one aspect will get you burned (See: OSU and the BSC).
But, if Rodriguez gets it all to click, we will get a streak going in this rivalry, and if not, trade wins year to year in tough battles.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:19 PM ^
defense might always be the key in this rivalry
November 21st, 2009 at 9:20 PM ^
Rodriguez's offense, with appropriate personnel allows his teams to destroy good defenses (BCS Oklahoma etc.); people forget he got his start as a defensive back and a defensive coach. The guy has a gift for offense but it's not like he got stupid all of a sudden when he came to Michigan. That said, he clearly has missed his WVU defensive coordinator (regardless of whether you like or dislike the 335) and the lack of consistency here (3 in 3 years) has hardly helped things.
GERG schemed for his job today and he clearly still has the ability if his back is to the wall. That defense owns only 14 points today. In a year with a more mature Tate/Denard/? then one might expect a better offensive output and let the streak begin.
One last thing, the Adidas curse can only be ended if you spell Adidas correctly. Just sayin'
November 21st, 2009 at 9:25 PM ^
Finally, I'll change that and not have to see anyone look as uncomfortable in a jersey as Brandon Minor did. Robinson schemed to his players ability on all but one play that I could see from the first watch through, the screen, where he got back into tendency and brought the house.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:44 PM ^
I just viewed the RR press conference, which I followed up with listening to comments by the players, both UM and OSU. RR's body language really made me feel for this guy. He seems exhausted,drained, and frustrated. He is confident he can do the job but has to deal with people who want instant gratification and scream if they don't get it. Anyway, I followed up RR's PC with an interview with Zoltan. His words should be sent to all recruits and naysayers. He said he loved his team and loved the program. Those words. He also came across as a thoughtful, articulate young man. His words lifted my spirits and spoke volumes about the program RR is running. I am beginning to feel there is a large disconnect between what we read in the papers and what is the reality.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:25 PM ^
on first downs and I'll be consistently happy, wait:what am i saying. Millen said today that Michigan needs to win the battle on first down to move the ball. NO SHIT SHERLOCK, HOW DID YOU EVER GET HIRED AS A GM IN THE LEAGUE.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:48 PM ^
Breaking news on ESPN just confirmed that UM announced this
November 22nd, 2009 at 1:54 AM ^
RR will pwn Tressel very soon.
November 22nd, 2009 at 9:58 AM ^
RR may be exhausted but he's not going to get any sleep right now. Now he has to focus on signing those recruits that made their official visit yesterday.