Short-term fixes on defense not really an option for Rich Rodriguez, Michigan football team
Michigan State running back Edwin Baker heads for paydirt on a 61-yard, second quarter touchdown run against Michigan on Saturday.
Lon Horwedel | AnnArbor.com
Quite the contrary. “Those were two of the plays we practiced most against in practice,” defensive end Ryan Van Bergen said of Baker’s 61-yard TD run and Bell’s 41-yarder, both of which came in the second quarter of the Spartans’ 34-17 victory.
“We knew the play was coming,” Van Bergen said. “We had prepared for it all week, and unfortunately we just didn’t get it done when the time came.”
Michigan’s inability to stop plays the players knew were coming underscored the team’s defensive struggles throughout the season.
Halfway through the season, Michigan (5-1 overall, 1-1 Big Ten) has allowed a Big Ten-worst 450.7 yards per game. The Wolverines rank 112th out of 120 FBS teams in total defense.
They’ve allowed 500 or more yards three times this season and are on pace to surrender a school-record 5,408 yards per season. The previous high is the 4,720 yards allowed last year.
“We’re not blind to the fact we have some glaring issues,” defensive end Greg Banks said.
Heading into Saturday’s game against Iowa (3:30 p.m., ABC), Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez said there’s only so much he can do immediately to fix defensive woes and warned that some answers must be solved via recruiting (i.e. at least a year away).
“Some issues won’t be solved overnight,” he said.
But he’s also becoming more involved with the day-to-day aspects of the defense and said he’d consider making personnel changes -- he said linebackers Kenny Demens and Mark Moundros would see extended looks at practice at middle linebacker.
In the preseason, the coaches simplified the defense in hopes of not overloading the young players that have played on defense this season. That can only go so far.
“We’ve got to the point where we’ve simplified schemes as best we can, but if you’re too simple, (opponents) will find a way to go against you,” Rodriguez said.
“This day and age, if you just line up in one defense and that’s who you are, most teams will find some way to move the ball, unless you’re Iowa, and they’ll even change and do some different things.”
Seven true freshman have played on defense so far this season, including five in the secondary.
Michigan State burned cornerback Cullen Christian, one of the true freshmen, on a long touchdown pass to Mark Dell during Saturday’s game. But the first-year Wolverines have endured many other less-public growing pains.
How long does it take for freshmen to feel comfortable in the system? No one is quite sure.
“It took me some time, I’m not gong to lie,” Banks said. “The playbook is thicker than high school and the speed of the game, the strength of the players, it’s all different. So even for them to actually be thrown into the mix, it’s a shock. But they’re getting better.”
In the meantime, the Wolverines know their options are limited. Van Bergen said he’s got complete confidence in the coaches and their game plans.
“That’s why I said it’s just disappointing,” he said. “Something we worked on in practice so hard - and the coaches are harping ‘they’re going to run this, they’re going to run this’ - we do so well, and then something happens in the game. It just didn’t trigger for us.”
Pete Bigelow covers Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at (734) 623-2556, via email at petebigelow@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @PeterCBigelow.
Comments
NC Wolverine 20
Tue, Oct 12, 2010 : 7:45 p.m.
Harbaugh IS home. He grew up near Palo Alto. His dad, Jack, coached at more than one college in the area, including time at Stanford. Even so, I'd take Jim in A2 now in a heartbeat. So what if he made critical comments about the academic classes for some of the football players? I know from personal knowledge that he was right about some of that stuff. Maybe he can clean it up AND bring back a winning tradition.
bomir
Tue, Oct 12, 2010 : 2:55 p.m.
spartyisyourlilsister Posted 17 hours ago HAHAHAHA!!! Share of the Big 10 title!! That is hilarious!! The downward spiral starts for State this week against Illinois. State's whole season is beating Michigan, now that they have done that, they'll quit on the rest of the season and lose in a lower tier bowl, just like they do every year. Wow.Pretty sad that MSU has just as many big ten wins in the big house as rich does.
bomir
Tue, Oct 12, 2010 : 2:52 p.m.
spartyisyourlilsister Posted 16 hours ago Yeah and 2009 MSU finished 6-7 with a quarter of their team suspended for the bowl game. That was a great finish! obsessed much?
Davey
Tue, Oct 12, 2010 : 1:42 p.m.
This is laughable. Rich Rod has has 2.5 years to fix the defense. What has he done? How bad was it? Just look at the highlight reel... http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=5667465 My fave moment during Saturday's debacle to MSU was when Spartan running backs ran 61 and 41 yards on us for touchdowns. Watch inside linebacker Obi Ezeh (#45) At the snap, instead of reading his key (the guard) and trailing the ball to maintain inside-out pursuit, he goes flying to the sideline like he's looking for a water bottle!!!! The running back then simply cuts up in the hole created by the vacating linebacker!!! Yikes!! There is no hesitation he looks like he's been instructed to do this! LMAO WTF are these coaches teaching Ezeh to do???? And to think Ezeh is a 5th Yr Senior! Is he the best we have? He's gotten worse, not better!!!! And watch the MSU guards get downfield and blast our linebackers back 5 yards. The backside linebacker is easily neutralized by the off-guard on both TD runs. This is pathetic and painful to watch. There are fundamental problems with this defense. First, nobody knows how to tackle. Second, the defensive front, with the exception of Mike Martin, is getting manhandled. They need to learn to get off blocks. Third, the linebacker play is atrocious. Their angles of pursuit are incredibly bad. Sadly, it is Mouton and Ezeh, our 5th year seniors lining up a MLB. They've gotten worse under Rich Rod. Fourth, the secondary is made of kids who just started shaving. Everything mentioned before applies to the DBs. The big question I have is why, Rich Rod, have some of your past defensive back recruits left? They could be contributing now -- if they were still around. Perhaps it says something about Rich Rod? Perhaps it says something about who he is recruiting? Time to dump Rich Rod.
Kubrick66
Tue, Oct 12, 2010 : 1:16 p.m.
Yelmonian... Time will tell.
Yelmonian
Tue, Oct 12, 2010 : 12:58 p.m.
Kubrick, I agree with you about beating Michigan. And during the summer months, I actually posted that beating Michigan isn't all that fun right now. State should beat them. I have posted in the past that Michigan needs to win, for MSU to really thump their chests about it. At the same time, there was lots of chest thumping from UM when State had really bad teams... and they have been plentiful through the Bobby Williams and John L Smith years. Now...where I did take pleasure is beating Wisconsin. That is a solid ranked team. Wisconsin plays tough, and we both know it. They are one of the few Big Ten teams that shows up and plays at their bowl games regularly. I watched MSU play Texas Tech in the bowl game last year. Granted MSU lost, but they played the game tight until midway through the fourth quarter. That was a Texas Tech team that had a big time passing offense going against a terrible MSU secondary. MSU was down the infamous 11 players. And the MSU coaches got the team to play, and play spirited. That's where MSU is making strides. They are playing tough, mistake free football. What is the next step for MSU? To get to the 8-9 win level for two to three seasons in a row. (And next year will be tough... as MSU gets Ohio State, Michigan, Nebraska, Wisconsin, and Iowa in a row... that's tough for anyone). But MSU needs to start doing that. Do I think they can under this football administration? HELL YEAH! And do I think they have a better shot at doing this than Michigan under their current football administration? HELL YEAH! That's my belief. 4 years ago... when UM was coached by Carr, the best I would expect is MSU winning 1 of 3 from UM. Right now... I give it a 50/50 or better shot that MSU wins the football game. My point being... their is a true belief that MSU's football program is stronger than UM's at this very moment. UM should be nervous, because every year they lose (for whatever excuse is made up) MSUs belief gets stronger, until it is a real battle. And honestly, I sort of think both UM and MSU fans would appreciate evenly matched, hard fought football games better. That is true bragging rights.
lawrencelaundry
Tue, Oct 12, 2010 : 12:49 p.m.
Coaching coaching coaching people!! Theres plenty enough talent on defense. There may not be a bunch of 4-5 star players but these kids have enough talent to be coached up. Otherwise they would have never made the team. Look at Illinois, they got a new DC and they are below top 50 in all categories defensively. Not dead last in passing D and other categories. That's the difference a Dc can make when he knows what he's doing. And this is his first yr at Illinois. Players can be coached up and replaced if they are under performing. A goodDC would recognize this and make a adjustment. GERG HAS been here Two yrs now and no improvement. NONE. Every week same mistakes. ON to Iowa folks.
Kubrick66
Tue, Oct 12, 2010 : 12:30 p.m.
Yelmonian... I understand your optimism over the MSU program, and I'm not trying to belittle or poke fun... but the fact remains that plenty of teams have been beating up on Michigan since RR arrived. And sadly for us (Michigan fans) three in a row over Michigan at this point isn't saying much. The only way MSU can make a real statement is to take their program to the next level relative to the rest of the country... Because right now they're simply doing what everyone else is... kicking Michigan's butt while they're down.
umgoblue47
Tue, Oct 12, 2010 : 12:18 p.m.
pOUT... your so in love with sparty why don't you do us all a big favor and go to there blog's and root for them! your rant is getting old and lame... GO BLUE...
morer&r
Tue, Oct 12, 2010 : 12:11 p.m.
The Wolverines should have won this game going away. Both sides of the ball had opportunities to make big plays and came up short. The defense is getting better and beginning to understand the schemes. They will have better games this year and just maybe win one they shouldn't, but realistically, they are still a year away from being solid. Be patient my friends.
Yelmonian
Tue, Oct 12, 2010 : 11:48 a.m.
Kubrick, Completely disagree with you. Real simple statement... you have to learn to walk before you can run. The issue that MSU always had, is that previous Presidents of the University were at odds with the Athletic Department. There was always a power struggle. In the past few years, a group of individuals in both departments Simon (President) and Hollis (AD) both are working towards the same goal... a better MSU. That is a huge change. MSU has achieved that with the Basketball Program. The President and University have embraced Tom Izzo because when the program wins, the University wins. With the Dantonio hire, many feel that MSU has found someone of Izzo's ilk to help lead the football program. That's a step. Beating UM three years in a row is a step. Getting good recruiting classes every year is a step. Three bowl games in a row is a step. Again, do we have a good 30 years behind us... No. But does MSU have some history in football, YES. Many argue that the greatest football game in college football involves MSU. To belittle this years victory by stating that MSU doesn't have UM's history, is nothing more than to direct attention away from what UM's football team IS TODAY versus what MSU's football team is TODAY. Right now... MSU is on a 3 game win streak. UM fans are claiming... yeah because UM is the worst it's ever been. So... why did so many UM fans take so much glee in calling out MSU fans during the years that MSU didn't have winning seasons? And trust me... I heard it every time MSU lost. Are UM fans just "closet wife beaters"? Do they take joy on beating up on weaker teams? Or is having down years just part of the cyclical nature of football... and UM fans should just suck it up and say... Yep, MSU is better again this year.
Kubrick66
Tue, Oct 12, 2010 : 11:39 a.m.
3 And Out... Sorry, but relatively speaking-- MSU has proved nothing.
Skipit3
Tue, Oct 12, 2010 : 11:17 a.m.
All you complainers, why don't you do yourselves and the rest of us a favor? Find another team to root for! Since the boat is sinking, why don't you just bail out instead of being such an annoyance? Your uninformed opinion that RR should be fired does not matter. You mind as well get used to RR being UM's Head Coach because whether you like it or not, he will be here for a few more years. You can take that to the bank!
Jonny Spirit
Tue, Oct 12, 2010 : 10:56 a.m.
Jim Harbaugh is not coming home. Michigan made it very clear when they told him they did not like it when he told the truth about players and classes. He remembers this and plus is having a great football season for a great school, why leave. Sparty is not there yet, they look better and the have finally stop blowing the game in the 4th qt. I think next year will be there year. They still have to prove they can finish a whole season. They do look good!
81wolverine
Tue, Oct 12, 2010 : 10:36 a.m.
One of our most glaring problems on defense is Obi Ezeh. Here you have a 5th year senior who has started dozens of games over his career and still can't make tackles and mis-reads plays all the time. He is NOT a Big Ten caliber middle linebacker. If he really practiced that play with the rest of the D that MSU torched us on and he STILL missed it in the game (not once but twice), they need to get him off the field. Put a younger player in there who has a future here. Things can't get any worse, so they might as well try someone new. One big problem has been poor recruiting and attrition at the LB position. Right now, we have Ezeh and a converted safety (Mouton) playing the will and mike LB's. Roh is really a natural defensive end. But, it's the one position where we don't seem to be able to recruit good athletic, natural linebackers. Every other Big Ten team seems to be able to find them. Until this changes, you're going to continue to see a poor defense at Michigan.
Akeem
Tue, Oct 12, 2010 : 9:52 a.m.
Jim Harbaugh come home! This is such a no-brainer. Who wouldn't want to leave the crappy climate and high crime area of Palo Alto, CA for beautiful and crime free greater Detroit. Winter's coming too! I bet if the offer was made, he'd walk out on practice today and be in Ann Arbor tomorrow morning!
ribs1
Tue, Oct 12, 2010 : 8:49 a.m.
Time for some iron man football
Stephenb1707
Tue, Oct 12, 2010 : 8:29 a.m.
RR made it clear that a lot of returning players may not have a place in his new offense. The ones I feel the worst about is all the trainers RR let go. Some had over 20 years at M and were not even interviewed. I never understood why Martin let that happen.
heartbreakM
Tue, Oct 12, 2010 : 8:04 a.m.
We have the same discussions all the time... "LC left RR with nothing.... It's not RR's fault....LC left team in fine shape and RR scared the players off....Those awful Borens...." I think it's time to move on and accept the fact that RR is his own coach, he knew (or should have known) what he was getting himself into, and if he wanted to build a team from scratch, he should have gone to a school without tradition, or a school with a losing tradition. He ultimately is responsible for on-the-field results and off-the-field character, and excuses just don't matter. He is responsible for the poor defensive performance just as much as the offensive excellence (save for last week's game). But what I don't get is why the same people who were all over LC during his last 2 or 3 years are allowing RR to underperform in a bigger way. We could argue all year about whether LC left enough senior defensive linemen, defensive backs, running backs, offensive linemen, wide receivers, and an experienced but raw QB. The fact is, those that stayed did not perform as well as we hoped. Whether that is LC or RR's fault is up to each individual to decide, but RR's record is HIS record and we must judge him on that, not on hope for the future or other coaches results.
Opalmerr
Tue, Oct 12, 2010 : 7:27 a.m.
Three little words define Michigan tradition. "Defense wins Championships" Rich Rodriguez's failure to understand and embrace this wil be his undoing as head coach of the Wolverines. A 3-3-5 defense in the Big 10? Seriously? Watch what the Iowa power game does to this defense, if you can stand the horror of it all.
CamaroDan
Tue, Oct 12, 2010 : 7:17 a.m.
3 and Out We all knew the D was going to be bad. What I am wondering is why this caused you to change your prediction from 4 or 5 wins at best to now saying 6-6. Is the D better than you originally thought?
golfer
Tue, Oct 12, 2010 : 7:10 a.m.
i have lived in a2 for many many years. i have followed mich football for a long time. what i see is that when carr left so did a lot of players. that left rr with a rebuilding team. now it takes a while to put players in the right spot. look at the lions. they are getting closer. the trouble with mich fans. is they want it now. i would look at what he is bring in. next year and the following year. got to crawl before you walk. give the guy a chance. he was left with crap. i know win win win and win. that is what you see. i see time to learn. 18 year old kids playing defense? heck they can not even keep the clothing off the floor.
Stephenb1707
Tue, Oct 12, 2010 : 5:27 a.m.
The Big D at Michigan really stands for Dumb and Dumber. M has been an embarrassment the last two years and will repeat this year. RR is the leader so all falls on him. Sure he is a good guy, but a lot of great guys have been fired for not doing their job. The RR bus should start loading and heading south for the winter on a one way trip. To the UM medical staff, please clone Lloyd.
ChelseaBob
Tue, Oct 12, 2010 : 5:06 a.m.
Dantonio had his team ready. RR didn't. MSU was also in better physical condition. The defense looked confused. All of this is coaching. You can't blame Lloyd any more. The players have talent and speed. It comes down to coaching. If we sign Harbaugh immediately after the season ends, he'll have this team competing for big ten championship next year, with same talent. Jim Harbaugh come home!
3 And Out
Tue, Oct 12, 2010 : 3:45 a.m.
Sparty is most certainly improved. They are a good solid team...not great yet but very solid and would give most teams in the country a solid game.... they physically dominated us...just beat us all to heck and it shows on the game film. One thing that Sparty has eliminated is that late game dumb Sparty personal foul that we saw for years and years and years which killed them... ok they had the dumb chop block on Martin but other than that they were pretty disciplined. Id be proud too if I were a Sparty fan. We, on the other hand, are much worse than a lot of people want to admit.... we are a bad team with a superstar QB... and a marginal offensive line and a couple of decent WRs...Martin is good on D and thats it...we are terribly coached, undisciplined and fold under pressure by good teams in the Big Ten every year under RR. As stated above....Michigan needs to take a hard look at what they want the program to be going forward...because it will be at rock bottom again by the end of this year, even if they make it to the pizza bowl at 6-6.... 2-6 in the BT is basically unacceptible and a major failure for RR
Kubrick66
Tue, Oct 12, 2010 : 2:53 a.m.
redceder1... While it is obvious that the Michigan football program has hit hard times the last few of years... MSU has yet to prove that their program has made any progress relatively speaking compared to the rest of the country. And until they manage a Big Ten Championship, a BCS bowl Bid, or just a New Years day bowl victory... Their three-in-a-row over Michigan will simply be a case of Michigan getting worse, as opposed to MSU getting better.
racerx
Tue, Oct 12, 2010 : 2:52 a.m.
No mention or reference to Defensive Coach Greg Robinson, who, ultimately this falls on his shoulders. Why is that? Anyone think to interview him? This is such a glaring weakness that despite how many points the offense can put up, as long as the defense is weak, it won't matter. As it's said, offense sells tickets, defense wins championships. Maybe it's time to forgive Jim Harbaugh and maybe AD Branson should seriously take a look at Stanford and all that Harbaugh has done both with players who excell on the field and in the classroom. Just sayin. This isn't going to hold up anyway you slice it. MSU exposed UM in many ways, particulary defense. If RR thinks it takes time for players to learn defensive schemes, I just hope, for his sake, he thinks he has time. Sack GR, bring in someone new. ASAP! 112 out of 120? Embarrasing.
clarklaker
Tue, Oct 12, 2010 : 2:05 a.m.
Long term fix for michigan is a new coaching staff. The right leader is imperative.Rich Rod is a good offensive coordinator. But head coach is to be debated.
WWBD?
Tue, Oct 12, 2010 : 2:03 a.m.
Rich Rod is on track but of course far from perfect as he's learning too. This team had to be completely revamped and this is the price for a great, great team beginning in year 4. As was pointed out, a defense can turn around from one season to the next and our guys are just too young across the board period and the seniors we do have shouldn't be playing much less starting. This defense is in great condition and the speed is there but they will get stronger and much tougher and that just simply takes time. (Unless of course you do the Mandarich method of strength training.) You can see the talent there. MSU beat them up physically and they broke in the second quarter. But they hung in there and took a thrashing and in fact, take away those 3 ints and the defense makes enough stops for M to score 40. But hats off to the spartans and just seeing that puke green celebrating at our expense on our field should be satisfaction enough for them but no, they are here giving advice on how we need to dump our coach. Okay, that's one bright spot since he's staying. Again here's hoping the D learned some toughness lessons from State and rises up next Saturday for Iowa by giving out as much pain as they've been taking lately for the miracle win at home.
lawrencelaundry
Tue, Oct 12, 2010 : 12:21 a.m.
Redceder your right. You have better coaches then Michigan. I do believe that RR is a better offensive minded coach. An example is msu defense was very poor last yr. And now a lot better. Our defense shows no sign of improvement. We will see how great of a defense you have when u make to a good bowl game. But msu won fair and square against the worst defense in Michigans long school history. I would be proud too if I were a msu fan.
aarox
Mon, Oct 11, 2010 : 11:47 p.m.
The above comments were written by Dave Birkett from the AA press. But they were written last year. This was from Nov 5, 2009. We have not improved. We have not learned from our mistakes. The scary part is that we are getting pretty good at being bad. I don't want us to get too used to this, but if this lasts another year or two we will turn into just another lower-tier BCS team.
3 And Out
Mon, Oct 11, 2010 : 11:45 p.m.
lack of depth....hmm...well a ton of RRs recruits...yes HIS recruits have either a) not qualified due to academics or b) have left the program... he has made his own cupboard bare with terrible defensive recruiting.... as for his S and C dept...weak weak weak...slow slow slow....without D Rob we would certainly have 2 or 3 wins tops...we stink and Ive said it all along and now you will see it coming to its fruition in the tough Big Ten.
Macabre Sunset
Mon, Oct 11, 2010 : 11:44 p.m.
Both plays in question were broken because Obi Ezeh over-pursued and left his lane open. I'm surprised to hear they practiced against the counter, because the linebackers played like they had never seen anything like it before.
lawrencelaundry
Mon, Oct 11, 2010 : 11:44 p.m.
Redceder your right. You have better coaches then Michigan. I do believe that RR is a better offensive minded coach. An example is msu defense was very poor last yr. And now a lot better. Our defense shows no sign of improvement. We will see how great of a defense you have when u make to a good bowl game. But msu won fair and square against the worst defense in Michigans long school history. I would be proud too if I were a msu fan.
aarox
Mon, Oct 11, 2010 : 11:42 p.m.
Theres no quick fix for what ails Michigans defense. Several analysts whove followed the team this year say a glaring lack of talent, not scheme or coaching, is the reason the Wolverines rank last in the Big Ten in scoring and total defense in conference games. I just dont think theyre as talented as they need to be, ESPN analyst Shaun King said. I think they play hard, but I think the skill guys right now theyre playing against are better than the defensive personnel they have. King, who played for Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez at Tulane, said the most obvious weakness is a lack of athleticism in the secondary. TOTALYDSBOX.jpg I dont think they play the ball very well in the air, King said. But again, I think thats because Im not sure how good they are across the board back there.
Ram
Mon, Oct 11, 2010 : 11:41 p.m.
spartyisyourlilsister: I'm assuming that the MSU-Wisconsin game does not exist in your alternate reality?
lawrencelaundry
Mon, Oct 11, 2010 : 11:19 p.m.
Jadedblack, we already have the worst D in the nation. U mean to tell me the kids on the roster don't have any talent at all. FACT: Great coaches coach up players to be at least decent. U mean to tell me 2nd yr coordinator and spring camp and fall camp and 6 weeks into the season and there's no improved play. Give me a break. Look at how well illinois responded with a new D coaching staff. Michigan has enough talent. The coaches just can't find it and coach it. Look how teams like TCU, UTAH, APP STATE DO SO WELL. 2 yrs ago utah smoked alabama in a bowl and its not because utah can recruit better I can bet on that one. RR offense is top notch, but the D staff is terrible.
JadedBlackDepth
Mon, Oct 11, 2010 : 10:41 p.m.
Come on, be real. The problem is in the recruiting. SEVEN freshmen are playing meaningful minutes. Only 5 star freshmen can jump in on a defense team and compete right away and that is only on a few plays at first. The ONLY 5 star RR got is buried on the defensive line(Campbell). So to take a lot of 4 and 3 star players and expect them to come into the Big 10 and compete is asking WAY TO MUCH. But that is what is being asked. So in order to do that, even a great DC would have to cut back on the playbook. Right now the fans in AA better be praying no defensive players jump early, if so, believe it or not, the defense will be MUCH MUCH worse next year. Not just bottom dweller in the Big 10, but the nation.
spartyisyourlilsister
Mon, Oct 11, 2010 : 9:17 p.m.
Yeah and 2009 MSU finished 6-7 with a quarter of their team suspended for the bowl game. That was a great finish!
lawrencelaundry
Mon, Oct 11, 2010 : 9:05 p.m.
The whole problem here is the entire defensive coaching staff. Rich rod offense is great and exciting to watch. But the D is terribly coached. Our offense will have bad days folks. Its up to the defense to get the ball back and try again. Denard i'm sure was told by RR to throw more this game which was a dumb move. Just let the guy play like he has been the last 5 weeks. Imagine our Defense was decent and Denard getting the ball twice as much the last 5 games. The scores would be crazy lopsided and Denard would have unheard of stats then he already has. The defense will come, as long as Dave Brandon forces RR to fire the entire Defensive staff. Tony Dews and GERG THE first ones. Let's be patient. Oregon and florida are examples of what the spread can do when u have D. Otherwise, bring on Jimmy Harbaugh. He's a great coach that can coach up players regardless of talent. Something RR and staff lack.
MetricSU
Mon, Oct 11, 2010 : 9:03 p.m.
lilsister: I'd hate to let facts get in the way of your nasty comments, but here goes. 2007: UM 28, MSU 24 Following Week: MSU 48, Purdue 31 2008: MSU 35, UM 21 Following Week: MSU 25, UW 24 2009: MSU 26, UM 20 Following Week: MSU 24, Illinois 14 In other words, Dantonio is 3-0 in games after the UM game -- win or lose.
GettingBluer
Mon, Oct 11, 2010 : 8:53 p.m.
Good-bye RR. Wish I could say it's been fun, but it hasn't.
Jaxon5
Mon, Oct 11, 2010 : 8:50 p.m.
This is quite a story. The defense prepared for it all week and still couldn't stop the big run plays for touchdowns. The runners were untouched either because the defense was out of position or too slow to reach the runner, or the defense was blocked out of the way. It leads one to conclude the defense was just plain over-matched. If that is true, then Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Ohio State will be give the defense big problems. Purdue and PSU will provide challenge as well.
spartyisyourlilsister
Mon, Oct 11, 2010 : 8:19 p.m.
HAHAHAHA!!! Share of the Big 10 title!! That is hilarious!! The downward spiral starts for State this week against Illinois. State's whole season is beating Michigan, now that they have done that, they'll quit on the rest of the season and lose in a lower tier bowl, just like they do every year.
SprBwlB4IDie
Mon, Oct 11, 2010 : 7:57 p.m.
The coaches give the waterboy a look. Mike Hart comes in to give him healthy doses of "tacklin' fuel" and RR points toward opponent players who are giving the rest of your defense fits. Voil! Return to glory! Michigan is great again and the strong program built by Dantonio instantly crumbles under Michigan's greatness. All is right with the world again. Then you wake up on the couch, wipe the drool off your face, and change the channel from The Waterboy to Cops and nod off again. See ya next year, wolvies. We're going to see if we can win at least a share of the conference title while you continue your annual Big Ten death spiral.
3 And Out
Mon, Oct 11, 2010 : 7:29 p.m.
This is on Rich Rod, Gibby and Barwis. Soft, Finesse team....bring in a hard nose nononsense coach who understands the Big Ten, and this will all turn around big time starting next season. Go Blue!
trigg7
Mon, Oct 11, 2010 : 7:05 p.m.
Saw it and couldnt stop the Spartans! Time to move to the MAC. Long live RR
Mick52
Mon, Oct 11, 2010 : 7 p.m.
I am thinking they might scour the team and look for a veteran offensive player who is a reserve that might be adaptable to defense. I like Banks statement about the complexity of the game and the talent of all the players.