Birk's Eye View: Michigan football has mental obstacles to overcome
Michigan Head Coach Rich Rodriguez shows his frustration as his team is defeated by Illinois 38-13 on Saturday.
AP photo
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - There were no good answers outside Memorial Stadium after Michigan’s stunning 38-13 loss to Illinois Saturday.
Not for how things could spiral so quickly out of control, not for what’s happened over the past month, and certainly not for where the Wolverines go from here.
Michigan (5-4, 1-4) has lost four straight games against Football Bowl Subdivision opponents and remains one win shy of bowl eligibility with three weekends left in the regular season.
The Wolverines host a Purdue team clinging to faint bowl hopes this week, and while that’s easily their best shot at getting a sixth win - Michigan closes the season against Wisconsin and Ohio State, two of the Big Ten’s four respectable teams - there are lingering questions about their collective state of mind.
“You get frustrated and you don’t know what to do and the first thing you do is try to take the easy way out and just give up,” defensive end Brandon Graham said. “That’s not going to happen, I can promise you that. We’re not going to quit. We’re going to keep coming every Saturday until it’s over.”
Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez said he would “coach (his players’) mentality” this week, but as with offense, defense and special teams, there are holes there that don’t appear to have an easy fix.
Against Illinois, Michigan squandered several opportunities early and wilted in the face of adversity late, allowing 31 second-half points after failing on four rushing attempts from the 1-yard line.
Before Saturday’s 500-yard outburst, Illinois hadn’t scored more than 17 points or gone a game without a turnover against FBS competition this year.
“I wouldn’t say (the season’s) slipping away, but we’re not getting wins that we should,” cornerback Troy Woolfolk said. “We’re just playing for pride now. We know we’re not winning the Big Ten, but we still have a chance to go to a bowl. Just one more win and if we do that, it’ll be a better season than last year.”
Because the Big Ten is so mediocre, Michigan likely will head to the Champs Sports or Insight bowls if it wins just one more game.
Iowa, Penn State, Ohio State and Wisconsin have the league’s top four bowls all but locked up (or top three if two teams get BCS bids), and Minnesota is the only other conference team likely to win seven games. The Gophers (5-4) play Illinois and South Dakota State the next two weeks.
Michigan State and Northwestern are longshots to top six wins, and Purdue, Illinois and Indiana will be hard-pressed to make the postseason. Purdue and Illinois have to win out, while Indiana must upset either Wisconsin or Penn State.
Michigan, for all its turmoil, is the most attractive bowl option among the second-tier teams.
Of course, if the Wolverines can’t beat Purdue (3-6, 2-3), they’re just as likely to miss the postseason for the second straight year.
“We’ve got to have our best performance next week,” assistant head coach and secondary coach Tony Gibson said. “We’ve got a great Purdue team coming in, the quarterback’s going to challenge us on defense, and they’ll be ready to play.”
Notes, quotes and leftovers
• There weren’t many positives to take from Saturday, but one - and it’s a recurring theme - was the play of Graham.
The senior defensive end had seven tackles, another sack - his 6 1/2th of October- and blocked his second punt in as many weeks in the fourth quarter. In another recurring theme, Michigan fumbled away the possession after Graham’s block.
Graham said he’s not doing anything special to get to the punter.
“Just coming,” Graham said. “Just keep coming and it’ll open up for me. That’s all I think about, just keep coming. It’s got to open up. Somebody’s going to give up on the play. As long as I just keep going, that’s all that matters.”
• Speaking of Graham, how bad would Michigan’s defense be without him? In conference games, the Wolverines rank last in scoring defense, 10th in rushing defense and are tied for last in total defense.
With maybe the worst safety play in the league, the Wolverines would rank lower in pass defense - their seventh - if teams didn’t find it so easy to run on them.
• Gibson on Michigan’s defensive breakdowns: ”We weren’t blowing assignments, we were just missing tackles and not getting off blocks.”
• Michigan had three more turnovers Saturday - a muffed punt by Junior Hemingway and two Tate Forcier fumbles - and now has 14 in four Big Ten games.
“I’m more disappointed in that in two ballgames, the other team’s made plays but we also have not helped ourselves,” Rodriguez said. “And I’ve said it many times, even at the beginning of the year, we’re not going to be good enough to mess around and not play well and have a chance against anybody. And certainly the last couple weeks we haven’t given ourselves much of a chance because of our own errors.”
• Woolfolk on what Michigan has to do to turn things around: “Just come back and get a win next week. That’s all you can do. You can’t mope around. You have to internalize the problem, look in the mirror and see what’s wrong and fix yourself first so we can be good as a team.”
Dave Birkett covers University of Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at 734-623-2552 or by e-mail at davidbirkett@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.
Comments
GoblueinNE_PA
Mon, Nov 2, 2009 : 1:16 p.m.
Folks, we saw this script last year. Mentally weak coach leads mentally weak team that folds as the pressure mounts. Last years team played its best games early and got worse as the season progressed and more pressure was applied. This team played it's best games early and has now crumbled when put under moderate pressure. Kids of this age will panic when they are put in a position like this, its natural. They don't have the world experience to put things into perspective and get back on track. That is what a quality head coach is there to do. We do not have a quality head coach. We have a front runner. He's great when things are great, but he's abysmal when things get tough. This team will not win another game this season. Period. The team folded their tents last Saturday. They will come out against Purdue uninspired and unorganized. I don't even want to think what's going to happen in the final two games. People are talking about us running the table. I just have to ask what are you smoking? We are two lucky wins away from an identical 3-9 record this year. Against ND, we had a KO return for a touchdown, the ONLY time the return game has shown up all season and against IU, Tate had one throw left in his arm. That's it. Two plays away from being 3-9. And don't tell me we could have beat MSU or Iowa. We were lucky to be in the game against MSU.
rightmind250
Mon, Nov 2, 2009 : 11:27 a.m.
You got to love the imagination of the UM fan. Last week all the talk was about how we will run the table on these last 4 games. UM then proceeds to show the big10 and the rest of the country they are yet again, the worst team in the big10. Now its a new week and the same kool-aid drinkers are saying we will win these last 3 games. Take a look at the conference standings. Yes, UM is again in last place. Not middle of the pack, mediorce, no dead last. The worst team in the Big10. I don't know how to make any excuses for that type of dismantling of the once storied trdition of IM football. Atleast for now the fan can talk about how UM has won more games than any other college. I have news for you the other colleges are gaining ground fast. All in for Richrod!
heartbreakM
Mon, Nov 2, 2009 : 11:21 a.m.
Hey FlintMaze: at this point of the season, team should be experienced enough that "frosh" are no longer frosh. And look around the country--how many young players are there that are excelling? Despite USC's loss, Barkley has had a great year so far. RB for Bama is a frosh. Even Illinois' RB who had the first long run is a frosh. And look at the D: Not too many young guys there, nor on the offensive line. Yet, those are big weaknesses. I don't buy "youth" as an excuse for poor play as a team--not at this point of the season. Individually, yes, but as a team? No. Forcier may be tired, not used to the cold, and that may be playing into his fumbles--sure. But doesn't explain senior running backs and linemen not being able to punch it in from the 1 against the second worst D in the B10. Doesn't explain linebackers consistently missing tackles (junior LB at that). Look at who Michigan has beaten this year--Eastern, Western, Del State (who cares), ND, and Indiana. Only one of those wins is worth a darn, and ND is at least improving at this point of the season.
heartbreakM
Mon, Nov 2, 2009 : 11:17 a.m.
a few weeks ago, after the Del State "game", I responded to a few columns as "so what". Looks like, "so what" is accurate. I was at the weekend's game, and as soon as that fourth down didn't score, I palpably felt the energy leave the team and it was minutes later that UI got re-energized with that touchdown. So I guess, for all the wins this year--the only meaningful one was the ND win. And it looks like there is a lot more work to do to "get back to Michigan football" to quote RR from last year. Question is: is RR the one to get us there? I agree that it is not looking good. Why does he think that his "system" is the only way to play football?
FlintMaize
Mon, Nov 2, 2009 : 11:14 a.m.
89 of 120 players are freshman or sophomores. It is only those of you that do not realize this that are all bent out of shape! Go Blue!
friend12
Mon, Nov 2, 2009 : 9:57 a.m.
1) You wait until 4th down to put a power back in? Coaching. 2) No passing defense. Coaching. 3) No outside run containment especially when the QB rolls out and runs. Coaching. 4) Ball handling. Players, but, a good coach would stop the blame game and go back to basic ball handling drills. I could go on and on, but, RR needs to start taking some responsibility instead of handling out blame to his players. Unless something changes defensively, UM will not win another game this year. Coaching!!!
Man in the Mirror
Mon, Nov 2, 2009 : 9:43 a.m.
@stevieboy-Carr had quality type of players that were young and undeveloped left in his closet. We all know who they are and they are doing quite well being COACHED by someone else other than the great RR. Those of Carr's who chose to stay are being coached by RR and company and with the exception of Graham, they stink with no or very minute improvement. Mallet's (the big slow, trouble kid) team made the top 25 this week. Can't wait until next year to see how Clemons does with Colorado, if McGuffie steps back into the spotlight, if Threet finds his niche in this game, if Zion Babb gets his shot and the others. These kids too were young and inexperienced...just not Rich's kids. And who is to say what recruits Carr would have now two and a half years later. None of this has to do with a "bare cupboard nor lack of talent left".
Fresh121
Mon, Nov 2, 2009 : 9:38 a.m.
All the good and the bad maybe if the UM start reading these comments the team wouldent lose a game lol....go blue 4 to 5 years for a coach no matter what let me see ur body of work and i will judge from there if were we need to be or move on.
vi4mi4
Mon, Nov 2, 2009 : 9:24 a.m.
it is obvious that the players left from Carr regime were instilled with the knowledge of MICHIGAN football. They Talk it, They Walk it, (Graham, Matthews, Minor,). the new guys don't get it. why? because their recruiter/coach does not get IT. it takes a special group of young men to commit and succeed at MICHIGAN. the torch is passed from class to class. what do these young guys know about MICHIGAN rivalries?, traditions?, weather!? mostly what they are told by their recruiter/coach. the same cat that wears the colors of his arch-rivals during games as some sort of badge of honor or play calling gimmick. It is not about 5 stars recruits, those will come with the territory, it is about understanding what it takes to play, live, learn, grow, and WIN at MICHIGAN. With the graduation of these senior players a large chunk of that knowledge will be gone from the locker room. the stubborn dude running this team needs to get Lloyd on the phone ASAP for a crash course in MICHIGAN team/crisis management, heart, and tradition. just look at the sideline cohesiveness of Carr and r.r. A MICHIGAN bench is one organized swarm of Wolverines...coaches, trainers, defense, offense, special teams, cheerleaders, Band! what is the mess r.r. is serving? when have you seen him rally the team around HIM during a game? he is a headphone coach, with no qb sneak play for 1st and goal. The Last Chance Saloon is coming up for r.r. He MUST become bowl eligible, he MUST defeat the ohio state schmuckeyes in The Big House November 21, 2009 Ban The Red Wristband! Go Blue! v
CryingRichRod
Mon, Nov 2, 2009 : 8:55 a.m.
I am tired of the "cupboard was bare" comments, I am not a Carr critic or supporter. This teams problems are mental not talent level. Carrs teams would never have self destructed like this one does. Every facet-offense, defense, kicking and special teams lost their composure. THATS COACHING!!! They are playing too tight and panic at the first sign of adversity. They were playing alot looser at the beginning of the year when there were no high expectations.
chosen1
Mon, Nov 2, 2009 : 8:15 a.m.
Richrod please stop with the loyalties to some of your staff. I know the lb and db coaches are good with recruiting, however they have no ability to coach their assigned positions. 2 years in a row our dbs and lbs have proven they cant tackle, they cant cover, and that rich falls on your 2 friends. Prove that michigan is worth more than your friendships. Also while you're trimming the fat off, find a new oline coach and maybe a receivers coach as well. We cant block well or catch the ball unless its a dink n dunk play. Do these things to show the fans that you want to be here. cause keeping the same clowns who obviously cant teach technique and execution is proving that you cant make the decisions to make michigan a legitimate team.
azwolverine
Mon, Nov 2, 2009 : 7:56 a.m.
I agree with much of what is being said on here, both for and against RR, as I can see much of the argument from both sides. However, imo, this is on the coaches. They can not held completely unaccountable for the consistent mental implosions this team goes through. If they are not at all accountable, what the heck is RR getting paid 2.5 million dollars for? If it's all on Tate, maybe he should be getting 2.5 million while RR stays home and watches TV. The argument that RR is not at all accountable is rediculous. That is why, imo, it is so very important for RR to PROVE over the next three games that he and his team are capable of overcoming adversity. I don't care about talent, inexperience, etc. This is now about the mental aspect of being able to hold the team together through adversity and continue to fight until the bitter end. Last year, once Michigan started to lose, a game that was close would snowball into a blowout. The team was lost. Then one loss snowballed into another. That trend from last year is what I've also seen over the last two weeks. To me, that is something that will rear it's head no matter how much talent RR assembles here. It happened at WVU against Pitt. So, imo, he's got to prove right here and now that he can indeed overcome adversity and win when his back is to the wall. If he can, than he is proving his worth. If the team comes out and plays dead over the next three weeks, he will have proven the opposite and there will be no reason to move forward in the same direction. I hope he does prove over the next three weeks that he can rally the troops and come out swinging when their backs are to the wall. It would show mental toughness and courage that I haven't see yet and that is necessary in a championship coach. We all want Michigan to win. I think the next three weeks will go a long way into showing if RR is the guy who can help us do that.
A2lover
Mon, Nov 2, 2009 : 7:22 a.m.
The team is a mess, despite the hiring of a few quality coaches (or are they?) to assist RR. It all boils down to the underhanded way U of M President and Athletic Director hired RR in the first place and RR's shabby underhanded way he took the job. All integrity and code of ethics remain in that coffee shop in Ohio. A leopard doesn't change his spots and RR will not, cannot, change his stubborn way of playing football. And on that note, you can bet your life the amount of practice time was violated, RR's desperation to get away from West Virginia manifests itself on how he runs the team. It's all about him and what he wants not anyone else of the players.
stevieboy
Mon, Nov 2, 2009 : 1:48 a.m.
I think we all are missing the point here. This is stil a young and inexperience team that has overachieved in some games this year. But it's still a rebuilding year. Carr got out in time because he new the type of players he had left in the cupboard. He had a lot of mediocre talent that were not that good or experienced. Let's look at it our best RB's from Carr with experience is Minor and Brown. They are good backs but injury prone. Grady never reached his potential is now a backup fullback. There is only two seniors on the defense and one is going pro. Michigan is on target as far as rebuilding. This is not our year to be a contender, maybe bowl eligible, but with the type of players we have they have to develop with experience. That's what's happening here, these young players are getting a feel what college ball is like. Next year will be different. But we have to be patient and wait for that. I have enjoyed some of the progress i've seen, but still get disappointed when I see them lose games they should win. But it could be worse, they could still have the same record or if not worse like last year. We are spoiled fans and don't like to see Michigan in this situation, but RR didn't have the luxury Carr had by inheriting someone else's talent. When moeller got fired he had a load of talent in the goodie bag that helped Carr's career. He didn't have to start from the ground up. We just have to be patient and endure another subpar season. It will get better, we just have to be patient. The players have to learn from their mistakes, what they didn't do and should have done. The defense will be better because they will have a year under Robinson's scheme. The offense will be better because the QB's will have the experience of running the offense scheme and able to read defense better. We just have to be patient and support this team's growth. It's been and up and down year. Last year was all down. It will get better, the new era is just beginning. Just be patient for Michigan. Go Blue!!!
uminks
Mon, Nov 2, 2009 : 12:31 a.m.
UM should only be focusing on the next game. They have the potential talent on offense to beat Purdue at home. I just hope fellow team members and the coaches can motivate them to play hard and don't let one play bring you down. Forget about that last bad play and motivate yourself to improve on the next play!!! I can not rule out the team running the table but now they should only be thinking about beating Purdue at the big house. If they win, I'm sure the team's confidence will soar by getting the bowl monkey of their back, and then who knows what will be possible. It would be funny if RR could pull off the upset at home against OSU! All these nay sayers will be praising him as a great savior. The 2nd coming of Bo!
LakeErieMaize/Blue
Sun, Nov 1, 2009 : 11:22 p.m.
dzuck,don't get too ahead of yourself,I mean,I only try to comment on what WE'VE ALREADY DONE,not the future!No one is psychic.We don't REALLY know if they will lose to Wisc. and the Suckeyes just b/c they MIGHT lose to Purdue!(I know their recent history says otherwise)But,until they line-up on Saturday and actually PLAY each other,we don't know who will win!That's my beef with the BCS.The teams should settle it ON THE FIELD!Not by you,me,computers,or anyone else just b/c they don't THINK a team stands a chance.Let them prove it on the field.The way it should be done!So have hope or FAITH.And remember,Michigan can still win these next three games.......I'm not saying they will but give them a chance.Never count ANYONE out.You never know what can happen,hell,RR and offensive cord. could call the perfect game and the kids COULD actually go out and execute(there's RRs favorite word)the perfect play calling and SHOCK the Suckeyes with a win.I, for one, won't be shocked b/c I believe that it can be done.Michigan just needs A CHANCE!! GO BLUE!!!
Hogan
Sun, Nov 1, 2009 : 11 p.m.
RR should walk into the locker room and say simply this "boys my job is on the line, I need you to beat Purdue" That would tell you if he has the team or not.
Hogan
Sun, Nov 1, 2009 : 10:41 p.m.
They absolutely MUST beat Purdue, NO excuses!!! None, no young team, bad weather, karma, moonbeams, NONE!! Losing to PU at home after they got smoked the week before is not acceptable anyway, shape or form. If someone can explain how it would be, please do.
LakeErieMaize/Blue
Sun, Nov 1, 2009 : 10:38 p.m.
"the rest will come w/ experience and chronological growth."And lets throw in there BETTER PLAY CALLING!That would help a little too.
uminks
Sun, Nov 1, 2009 : 10:35 p.m.
Young teams are very susceptible to big momentum changes. If we did (which we should have) scored a TD when we had first down on the ILLINI 1 we would most likely have won. Juice would probably have been benched and the freshman QB Zook was going place in there would have made some mistakes. Plus UM offense would be playing with confidence through the remainder of the 2nd half. I think there were some poor coaching calls from our OC, we should have just pounded Mondros or Minor right up the middle from the very first down...move the ball forward!!!! Instead we try to jitterbug Brown to the right on slow developing plays where IL LB and secondary came right up to the line for containment. Even a nice 2nd down role out throw from Fourcier would have worked. That one play had one young team turning around a season and one totally imploding. RR has to spend some time with his team about not getting down on a play that heads south. Gee, I hope the team comes out next week with a lot enthusiasm and an attitude that this is our game and we want it more than Purdue. If they show the fight required they can beat Purdue at home. All I ask is that they play hard for 4 QTRS! like their lives depended on it. I hope the fans get into the game much like against WMU! They need your support, don't sit on your hands!
icegoalie
Sun, Nov 1, 2009 : 9:34 p.m.
I see a lot of complaining about the coaching from a select few posters and after this loss, some if it is probably justified. But the one thing I don't see are any easy solutions even if RR leaves tomorrow. Who would be the "magic" coach to come in and do better? It certainly would not be any big name coach like Miles...that ship has sailed. I am as frustrated as I have been in my lifetime of following Michigan Football but do you really not give the man a real shot at this? Would you really rather roll the dice with some no-name coach to come in and suddenly right this ship with the current roster? The bottom line is that winning is all everyone really cares about and it cures just about everything...we have 3 games left and no matter how unlikely it seems for Michigan to come out of them with 3 wins, just imagine what everyone will be posting if that were to happen...
Macabre Sunset
Sun, Nov 1, 2009 : 8:46 p.m.
Remarkable that the coach blames everything on his players. How 'bout an offense that doesn't have a play to run on first down from the 1-yard line against the second-worst defense in the Big Ten? I don't think he's even qualified to talk about the defense - he might not know Brandon Graham if he met him outside the stadium, not in uniform. Michigan won't begin to recover until there's a new coach in place.
azwolverine
Sun, Nov 1, 2009 : 8:46 p.m.
Poor RR had nothing whatsoever to do with this loss or any other loss over the last two years. Misguided fans shouldn't hold him accountable for anything. I mean, come on...he's only the head coach. What would you expect him to do...coach? Bo wouldn't hear of it. No, this is all the fault of young Forcier and his unfortunate concussion. In fact, since none of this is RR's fault, he could leave today and it wouldn't make a lick of difference. Coaches don't have any say in the outcome of games anyway. I've got to say, that Urban Meyer sure is lucky 'ol Tim Tebow never had a concussion...otherwise even the Gators might get blown out by Illinois.
GoblueinNE_PA
Sun, Nov 1, 2009 : 7:41 p.m.
Michigan's mental obstacle has "Head Coach" before his name.