2010-11 UofM Wolverines Football

[vetalalumni]

What are your opinions and predictions this season for the Wolverines?

[EL Jimbo]

pain...




For the Wolverines. It is not going to be pretty this year. Michigan simply won't be able to stop anyone on defense. 5 wins tops and I'm being generous.

[Patrick]

Rich Rod is a goner....4 wins tops.

[d.mcc]

Including losses to ND, MSU, OSU, PSU, Iowa, UCONN...

[Ray1936]

Who cares? I hate UM. All my fellow Mackenzie HS grads who went there were first class snobs. I hope they suffer this season.

[firstandten]

I hope RichRod is renting, its tough to sell a house in this down market

[d.mcc]

I hope RichRod is renting, its tough to sell a house in this down market

Probably just owns the land... ya know... like...that thing... that he's being sued for...?

[kenp]

Dont look for much, but you never know. Keep the faith.
Why dont all you sparties start your own thread. Then I can talk about Dantonio and him going into his 4th year following another losing season.

[sirrealone]

The thing that I don't like is that we're still on the same rotating QB carousel that we started off with. While Forcier, Robinson, and Gardner are all upgrades over the 2008 version of Threet, Sheridan and Feagin, I still don't like the approach. The QB is the leader of the offense and there's a rhythm that gets developed between the QB and the RBs, WRs, line, etc. There are nuances that teammates pick up on. To keep interrupting all that multiple times in a game is not something that I think works to their benefit.

On one hand I always want U-M to have a great season but on the other hand, I'm not a RichRod fan and know that one more bad season would spell the end of him.

In 2008 when they were on their coaching search, I really wanted them to consider Brian Kelly. I think he's a great coach, and he would have come in and been able to maintain a lot of the tradition that Michigan was known for but also opened things up a little more. If they would have hired him, I believe that they wouldn't have lost Mallet, they wouldn't have missed bowl games, and I think would today have Michigan right where fans were used to seeing them, which is in the discussion for the Big Ten title.

Instead, we're reduced to wondering if they can even make a bowl game.

[kenp]

In 2008 when they were on their coaching search, I really wanted them to consider Brian Kelly..

Think about this when they kick our butts this year

[vetalalumni]

Michigan 30, Connecticut 10.

Go Blue!

Defensive secondary has injuries unfortunately.

ND next.

[kenp]

Including losses to ND, MSU, OSU, PSU, Iowa, UCONN...

Well thats two off your list.

What a great game, what a great player

Go Blue

[DetroitZack]

Go Blue!!! Back in the top 25.

[gibran]

there is our future Heisman hopeful...already striking the pose..GO BLUE

[9936Sussex]

As a Notre Dame fan, I have to concede that Michigan's quarterback is something else. He was quite impressive, and I thought the game was really exciting (although I would have liked to have seen ND win). I do wonder, though whether Robinson will make it to the end of the season. He's pretty small, and I think he's going to get banged up a lot. But, I think it will be interesting to watch him play.

[Downriviera]

The only wat to stop him is to get a hold of his un-tied lace. Go Blue.

[Patrick]

Gotta be careful about running him too much. If he gets hurt that team is done for the year.

[kenp]

Gotta be careful about running him too much. If he gets hurt that team is done for the year.

We started out 4-0 last year with Tate and he impressed until he was hurt. And unless he quits on us he will be a very capable starter.

[Patrick]

UMass should have been blown away by the Wolverines. The kicking and D iss going to ruin the season for UM.

[vetalalumni]

Go Blue!

Liked the versatile offense today.

We need a victory against Indiana next week.

[kenp]

Running game is improving. They said in the Spring that Fitz is out best running back. Hope he is for real.
Like I said before, Tate is a capable starter. He looked very good. This is not a one man offense.
D is going to be the issue. They have to get better, not perfect, but just better each week.
GO Blue

[smogboy]

For those of us not attending the game, why are we subjugated to that verbal vomit from Matt Millen on the ABC/ESPN call? That man lost what football credibility he had with the handling of the Lions.

[Big Dog]

Smog, you are right on, with the last post.

[Zulu Warrior]

Zulu says "Go Blue!"

[smogboy]

Wow. Seems as though the Detroit News' Terry Foster isn't exactly too hip on having Matt Millen at the game either AND he has a suggestion...

http://apps.detnews.com/apps/blogs/terryfosterblog/index.php?blogid=1946

[vetalalumni]

Beat the green machine!

Go Blue!!

[Homer]

Denard............Denuthin.................

[gnome]

crow is bitter this time of year. go green

[kenp]

We gave up 21 early points on awful passes by Denard. He will only get better.
State was a better team though, and UM has a ways to go.

[Danny]

The Wolverrines offense is better with Denard Robinson, but they suck without him!

The Wolverines defense is 700,000 times much WORST than the Detroit Lions.

Their special teams is worst in the state.

And they can't beat Michigan State Spartans and Ohio State Buckeyes. TOO BAD FOR THEM

WORD FROM THE STREET PROPHET!

FIRE RICH RODRIGUEZ!

Neda, I miss you so.

[vetalalumni]

We gave up 21 early points on awful passes by Denard. He will only get better.
State was a better team though, and UM has a ways to go.
Agreed. State can feel good about the win. Running back was very good.

Wolverines should only get better as a team this year even if the W's are not where we want them yet. Defense is young and still sub par. Hoping for 8-5 regular and an interesting bowl appearance.

[smogboy]

The Wolverrines offense is better with Denard Robinson, but they suck without him!

The Wolverines defense is 700,000 times much WORST than the Detroit Lions.

Their special teams is worst in the state.

And they can't beat Michigan State Spartans and Ohio State Buckeyes. TOO BAD FOR THEM

WORD FROM THE STREET PROPHET!

FIRE RICH RODRIGUEZ!

Neda, I miss you so.

Can we be any more UNrealistic and overly dramatic here? Quick, someone nominate Danny for an Emmy for this over-the-top performance here.

[vetalalumni]

Homecoming weekend!

Tough match-up against the top ranked scoring defense. That and our own weak defense leaves our work cut out for us.

Breast Cancer Awareness theme with pink everywhere.

Go Blue!!

[Danny]

WOLVERINES LOSE to Iowa 38 to 28. Denard Robinson suck!

Fire RICH ROD!

Face it Wolverine fans Uof M Football Program is finished. It's time to cheer for the UNSTOPPABLE MSU SPARTANS.

"S" GO GREEN, GO STATE, GO SPARTANS!

[vetalalumni]

Still hoping for 8-4 regular, however even 7-5 (Purdue and Illinois) will be a challenge (and minimally acceptable).

Happy Valley next.

Go Blue!!

[firstandten]

I see Brandon as having an important decision to make at the end of the season. Does he cut his losses with RichRod and try to get Harbaugh before he gets snapped up by the pro's or another school. The problem I see is that the longer RichRod stays he is going to have a roster full of players that another coach will have difficulty converting to his system.

RichRod will most likely win enough games to go to a bowl, but fans won't be happy that we won't be able to beat the upper tier teams in the league.

Maybe the NCAA will bail Michigan out and give Brandon the excuse he needs to fire him.

[Danny]

BLUE AND GOLD are black and blue. The Wolverines are finished!

[Thruster315]

Can we be any more UNrealistic and overly dramatic here? Quick, someone nominate Danny for an Emmy for this over-the-top performance here.

Danny's comments are really without any substance. It seems more like glorified cheerleading with some veiled codespeak thrown in for good measure. Now if he could produce some facts and offer an informed opinion based on those, it might add something to a thread.

[Danny]

That's is why the wolverines are going to the Toilet Bowl!

[Leroy Hoard]

This Penn State game is key. Lose that and all the naysayers will be having a field day. Win and RichRod buys himself a little more rope to play with.

[vetalalumni]

This Penn State game is key. Lose that and all the naysayers will be having a field day. Win and RichRod buys himself a little more rope to play with.
Is this the Mr. Hoard who told Coach Bo "Coach, if you need one yard, I'll get you three yards. If you need five yards, I'll get you three yards."?

Regardless, welcome to the board and this Wolverine fans thread.

Agreed the importance of this game. I'm sticking with Coach Rod as long as we continue to trend improvement.

[Danny]

WOLVERINES SUCK! lost to Penn State at Happy Valley. Still can't play football!

[vetalalumni]

We sure need to beat Illinois. Lifelong fan here, so I'm never gonna give up on the Wolverines - anybody with me rooting for them?

[smogboy]

What a score! Seriously I haven't seen NBA teams score this high at times. Congrats to the Wolverine fans for this victory. 67-65 still isn't a gem if you're into defensive football though. Reece Davis even made a comment about it earlier calling it "no tackle" football and that's what it seemed like.

[Downriviera]

I was listening on the radio, they were interviewing Brandon at halftime. He said he had to go check to make sure there was enough power for the scoreboard.

[firstandten]

Fun game, but I would still be concerned if your a Mich fan. Even though Ill disappointed me with there Defensive performance. Their offensive performance was off the charts which means U of M still can't stop anybody and they are simply not going to put those kinds of points up on the big boys of the conference.

[vetalalumni]

Whew! What a dramatic game. But a W is a W, so I'll take it.

Improving the defensive secondary next year will be a priority. Against both Iowa and Penn State, we lost by 10 points (only 2 scores).

Next year, the B10 "powerhouses" will change some personel, as will we. We hopefully will be +2 or better in the wins column.

[vetalalumni]

Avenge our 2 point loss last year to Purdue at the Big House. Coach said the fellas need to play with a chip on their shoulder this weekend.

Go Blue!

[kenp]

Avenge our 2 point loss last year to Purdue at the Big House. Coach said the fellas need to play with a chip on their shoulder this weekend.

Go Blue!
I was right behind the bench last year and we had that game won and self destructed. Then there was the Hope vs Rich Rod thing at the end. Its going to be scrappy. I hope we are ready for a fight, I miss those days. Wish I was going.
GO BLUE.

[vetalalumni]

Michigan 27, Purdue 16. Happy with what unfortunately might be the last win of the regular season.


I see Brandon as having an important decision to make at the end of the season. Does he cut his losses with RichRod and try to get Harbaugh before he gets snapped up by the pro's or another school. The problem I see is that the longer RichRod stays he is going to have a roster full of players that another coach will have difficulty converting to his system.

and


Maybe the NCAA will bail Michigan out and give Brandon the excuse he needs to fire him.
I'm hoping Coach Rod leaving soon is not a foregone conclusion. An improved defense alone could have earned an additional 2 wins so far this season. Regarding AD Brandon, here is his recent interview and 3 associated videos (Crains) --> http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20101114/FREE/311149973/m-is-for-mending-ad-brandons-game-plan-protect-michigan-brand#


RichRod will most likely win enough games to go to a bowl, but fans won't be happy that we won't be able to beat the upper tier teams in the league.

Tough call. Again, maybe it is not yet certain that Coach Rod is unable to coach the team to victory against the B10 elites. So many factors going in to next season. Changing rosters (or not, see Pryor), new divisional alignments, and Nebraska added for example. We might be in the weaker of the two alignments which could aid our regular record.

[vetalalumni]

Here is AD Brandon discussing the College Football Bowl System (http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/brandon/spec-rel/111710aaa.html) --> http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/brandon/spec-rel/111710aaa.html

The post is the first on his new blog (http://www.mgoblue.com/brandon/) --> http://www.mgoblue.com/brandon/

Brandon does not mention the inaugural Big Ten Football Championship Game December 2011.


For those of us not attending the game, why are we subjugated to that verbal vomit from Matt Millen on the ABC/ESPN call? That man lost what football credibility he had with the handling of the Lions.

Irritating commentary is a pet peeve of mine as well. Turning off the volume helps solve that problem. Throwing on the closed-captioning helps as well. The Big Ten Network commentators are not so bad.

Today is the four year anniversary of Coach Bo's death.

[kenp]

I wonder if this is the last game for RichRod. If so who is our next coach?

[vetalalumni]

I wonder if this is the last game for RichRod.

Michigan AD David Brandon’s 11-24-10 Twitter (http://twitter.com/DaveBrandonAD): "Heard about a “rumor” re: some “big announcement” on Monday regarding M-Football. Add it to the rumor rubbish pile! Happy Thanksgiving!"

Wolverine enrichment!
Rjro8wgiAcM

Video Walkthrough (http://www.mgoblue.com/allaccess/index.html?media=214001)

Michigan Prepares for Ohio State (http://www.mgoblue.com/allaccess/index.html?media=213893)

[firstandten]

I wonder if this is the last game for RichRod. If so who is our next coach?

I tend to believe that if Brandon thru back channels felt he could get Harbaugh RichRod will be gone after the season. However if he can't get Harbaugh he might as well give RichRod a two years extension.

[lilpup]

RichRod won't get an extension at this time. At best they'll let him stay through his original contract. If he can turn it around in the time left they might consider renewing, but a turnaround is unlikely since he's in over his head in the Big Ten.

Eastern and Ron English aren't doing well together. RichRod would do better over there but he probably wouldn't take the pay cut.

[smogboy]

I can't see RichRod getting an extension either. I'm not sure this guy understood the culture of what UofM football was and is. I think partially due to his success at West Virginia, he thought he could come up here and install a spread offense and make it work. Wrong. That's not what Lloyd had left him and that's not exactly what UofM or Big Ten football has been traditionally. And rightfully of wrongly, his laid back southern drawl probably hasn't endeared him to too many fans either; I think we've gotten used to firebrands like Lloyd, Moeller, and Bo for a generation now.

RichRod's catching heat and lots of it even though the team's going to a bowl game this year for the first time. I think what will ultimately be his undoing is the alumni coming down on him for losing constantly to Ohio State regularly, and even worse- losing to the in-state rival in MSU. Where D'Antonio is slowly starting to stockpile good players, RichRod's lost some and his defense is starting to show it. The holes on the Michigan defense are almost embarrassing and the lack of a kicking game has really changed how the team plays (long range field goals are out of the question). Offensively the team moves well but that's only one side of the ball game.

I sometimes wonder how much alumni donations or support has waned over the last few years because of the controversy. It really is a storied university with a top notch program that's taken the gas-pipe the last few years. Even minor NCAA violations were unheard of and I'm sure the alumni were proud about that up until the last few years. I can see David Brandon's hand nearly being forced soon because of the lack of progress shown to its alumni base.

[Danny]

Don't worry Wolverine fans, RIC ROD will be FIRED! Soon.

S GO GREEN, GO SPARTANS! 2010 Big Ten Champions.

[Leroy Hoard]

Carr lost 6 of his last 7 to OSU so that's nothing new. It's losing to former little brother (now big brother) MSU that might get RichRod fired.

[jiminnm]

Yes, Carr lost to OSU, but if you look at the scores you'll see that most games were close and some could have gone either way. RR has lost by 35, 11 (thanks to weather) and 30, with pretty much no chance of winning any of them. I think the losses to OSU anger the alums, especially those who contribute sizeable sums, more than the MSU losses.

I thought 7 wins would force Michigan to keep RR, but with a defense that would have trouble stopping a JV team and the inability to get consistent punting and place kicking (which should not be difficult), I think it's time for him to go.

Fortunately for Michigan, the NCAA will have to dig deep for bowl eligible teams this year and they could get an easy bowl opponent.

[Thruster315]

See ya RichRod. You were never a right fit for the program and it's high time we cut bait with you. Good bye. See ya. Scram. Beat it.

[sirrealone]

See ya RichRod. You were never a right fit for the program and it's high time we cut bait with you. Good bye. See ya. Scram. Beat it.

Yeah, what he said.

[Thruster315]

Let's just say that David Brandon put it in a much MUCH more eloquent way than I did.

It was by far one of the most impressive pressers I've heard from an AD in ages. Brandon took the questions and answered all of the questions with dogged determination, honesty, resolve, and guts. Damn. It makes me wish Brandon would coach the team after hearing him speak! Why couldn't have RichRod said the same sort of things during his rocky tenure?

[Thruster315]

Okay, maybe he shouldn't have talked about Jim Harbaugh as much as he did. If he's not a candidate- mention it once and move on to let the people know that he's out to get the best coach possible. Bring on the candidates and bring back some measure of respectability to the program.

[kenp]

Okay, maybe he shouldn't have talked about Jim Harbaugh as much as he did. If he's not a candidate- mention it once and move on to let the people know that he's out to get the best coach possible. Bring on the candidates and bring back some measure of respectability to the program.

He was constantly being questioned about Harbaugh. I think Brandon handled the press conf as well as anyone could. I think Harbaugh was the guy all along and all if a sudden he became the hottest coaching commodity in the country for not only college jobs but pro as well. He sounds like a guy who wants to be a pro coach so if thats the case its probably best we dont get him. It will be interesting to see who is interested.

[Thruster315]

He was constantly being questioned about Harbaugh. I think Brandon handled the press conf as well as anyone could. I think Harbaugh was the guy all along and all if a sudden he became the hottest coaching commodity in the country for not only college jobs but pro as well. He sounds like a guy who wants to be a pro coach so if thats the case its probably best we dont get him. It will be interesting to see who is interested.

Mike Valenti on 97.1 is bringing up the point that Brandon shouldn't have had the opinion that Harbaugh was going to go to the NFL because he's still the Stanford coach today. It's not like Harbaugh is unemployed right now. To a certain degree I agree. Brandon could've side stepped those questions by talking about the Michigan program getting the best coach possible. That would've the door open for Harbaugh or whomever they were going to get.

But that was just one tiny aspect of the presser. Brandon spoke about his resolve to bring the program back to prominence and that's inspiring.

[vetalalumni]

Here is hoping everyone directly affected lands succesfully back on their feet. And let's look forward to the players, staff and our next coach having success. Good luck Coach Rod.

[EL Jimbo]

If I were a UM fan, which I'm not, I wouldn't be so infatuated with the need to get a "big name". I mean if a team that has had as much success in the past decade as Florida has is willing to hire the defensive coordinator from Texas then Michigan shouldn't feel it is somehow above bringing in anyone but a "big time" head coach.

[Thruster315]

If I were a UM fan, which I'm not, I wouldn't be so infatuated with the need to get a "big name". I mean if a team that has had as much success in the past decade as Florida has is willing to hire the defensive coordinator from Texas then Michigan shouldn't feel it is somehow above bringing in anyone but a "big time" head coach.

I totally agree but two words won't let it happen:

Michigan arrogance

And that's coming from someone who's a college football fan- not a Spartan, Buckeye or Wolverine hater. Michigan just expects a big name and all of the trappings that come with it. They think they're the shit and will get someone who thinks that they're entitled to the best players in the nation just because they're Michigan. I think that was part of the appeal that led RichRod to show up on their door step those many years ago... and look where it got them.

I feel for Brandon too. He seems like a personable balls to the wall sort of guy too after hearing his presser, but he really can't pull the trigger without having to appeal to a larger constituency. He's got to get a choice that can recruit, win pretty quickly, make kissy face with the current players, and then possibly the toughest of all to please- the Michigan alumni base. Some of those rich bastards graduated years ago and through their big pocketed contributions (some legit and some not so square- think Ed Martin with the basketball program) still think they have a say in the matter.

Whatever happened to hiring the best guy for the job quietly and discretely? Damn Twitter, bloggers, and media leeches all over this have made it a PR tussle too. Have you guys seen how many people were lingering around Schembechler Hall like it was the local fraternity giving away free beer?

[kenp]

I agree with EL JIM. Let Brandon do his thing. Remember when OSU hired Tressel. Nobody knew who he was. I trust Brandon to get us a good good, long term, coach.

[rjk]

If I were a UM fan, which I'm not, I wouldn't be so infatuated with the need to get a "big name". I mean if a team that has had as much success in the past decade as Florida has is willing to hire the defensive coordinator from Texas then Michigan shouldn't feel it is somehow above bringing in anyone but a "big time" head coach.

If Florida was coming off of a disastrous three years like Michigan I doubt they'd be hiring a D coordinator with zero head coaching experience. Florida is a solid program while UM is in rebuild mode. Brandon can't act like he's the smartest guy in the room and think he's plucking the next great coach from the assistant coaching ranks. He needs a proven winner with somewhat of a wow factor.

[factoryrat]

Bo
mo
lo
ro
ho?

[jiminnm]

This is from Friday's WSJ.
http://www.tiny9.com/u/Michigan_Coach

With Harbaugh out of the picture, I had hoped that UM would go after Gary Patterson from TCU, but he just signed a 2 year extension this week. From the article above, Les Miles may have no interest (but who knows). A name getting the most play now is former UMer Brady Hoke from San Diego State.

As for rebuilding, I suspect there will be little tolerance for a long term rebuild and higher short term expectations for the program.

[firstandten]

There is so much that goes into finding a winning coach over and above the x's and o's and recruiting. I think the two worst traits a head coach can have is too much inflexibility and too much arrogance. I think most football coaches have some of both but too much of either is a receipt for failure.

For example people were saying get rid of the d-coordinator the 3-3-5 doesn't work. I think now its pretty clear that Greg Robinson had no control over the type of defense being run, his job was to make it work. RichRod hung him out to dry by saying he's an offensive guy that he really not involved in the defense.

When you are a coach of a big program you need support from various factions of the university community in order to be successful, and RichRod just didn't get that support.. why... maybe some of the reason had to do with how he upended some of the traditions of the university and didn't understand others. He said and did some pretty disingenuous things which to me was a cover for the arrogance.

Whomever Brandon gets hopefully more so than being a big name coach is getting a coach thats able to be flexible, to adapt his coaching style to the players he has, and comes in understanding the football culture and traditions of the university. I think that more than anything will determine the success or failure of the coach. After all RichRod was a big name coach when Michigan got him

[vetalalumni]

Since this 2010 Wolverine football thread may now fade, a new 2011 thread is warranted.

Here is a cross-reference to a new DYES thread for the upcoming 2011 Wolverine football season -- > www.detroityes.com/mb/showthread.php?8538-2011-UofM-Wolverines-Football