Michigan football fans watch from the stands in the fourth quarter at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday. Michigan lost, 45-24. (Photo: Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com)
MADISON, Wis. - They worried about
John Clay and Wisconsin’s big, physical offensive line all week, and, in the end, the Michigan football team figured its best defense was to make quarterback
Scott Tolzien beat them.
He did.
Tolzien threw for 240 yards and four touchdowns and added a rushing score for good measure as Wisconsin wore down reeling Michigan at Camp Randall Stadium, 45-24.
The loss - Michigan’s sixth straight in the Big Ten - leaves the Wolverines one win from bowl eligibility heading into next week’s showdown with 10th-ranked Ohio State.
Michigan (5-6, 1-6) hasn’t beaten the Buckeyes since 2003, and is on the verge of its first back-to-back losing seasons since 1962-63.
Wisconsin wide receiver Nick Toon scores by reaching over Michigan's Donovan Warren in the third quarter on Saturday. (Photo: Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com)
“This is the biggest game of the year, every year, and our guys know that,” Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez said. “We got a lot at stake. It’s at our place, it’s our seniors’ last home game. I’m sure we’ll have a great week of practice. The focus this week should be great. I just hope the play next Saturday is.”
This Saturday, Michigan played, at best, mediocre football.
The Wolverines couldn’t get off the field on third down, couldn’t sustain anything offensively and again fizzled in a dreadful second half.
Wisconsin scored on its first four second-half drives - Michigan’s only “stop” came when the Badgers took a knee on the final play of the game - and controlled possession for nearly 23 of 30 second-half minutes.
In its last four games, losses to Penn State, Illinois, Purdue and Wisconsin, Michigan has been outscored 99-19 in the second half and outgained 1,122 yards to 598.
“I just didn’t like how we came out the second half and just let it go,” defensive end Brandon Graham said. “We were right there. I know we kept working hard and kept pushing, but it just wasn’t going our way.”
Rodriguez promised to evaluate “everything; players, scheme … to come up with answers,” but he’s tried that in recent weeks, too.
Michigan made several lineup changes Saturday, starting Obi Ezeh at middle linebacker for the first time in three weeks and benching safety Mike Williams. Linebacker Brandon Smith started in Williams place, giving the Wolverines’ an eight-man front to try and stop Clay.
“Reaching,” Rodriguez said. “I think they’re really, defensively, really reaching to find an answer to try to stop them.”
Forced to the air early, Tolzien had his most productive day of the season. He completed 16 of 24 passes, and his four touchdowns - two to
Nick Toon and one each to tight ends
Garrett Graham and
Lance Kendricks - matched a career high.
Michigan stayed close for a half despite of its own shortcomings.
The Wolverines failed to convert a first-and-goal from the Wisconsin 6 late in the first quarter. Two Brandon Minor runs moved the ball to the 1, but quarterback Tate Forcier ran a designed sweep for a 1-yard loss on third down and Jason Olesnavage had his 19-yard field goal blocked after Wisconsin declined a delay-of-game penalty.
Jordan Kovacs intercepted a Tolzien pass three plays later at the Wisconsin 25, but Michigan had to settle for a 37-yard field goal when it failed to pick up a first down.
Wisconsin’s next series nearly stalled at midfield, but Smith was called for roughing the punter on fourth-and-20 and Tolzien found Toon five plays later to give the Badgers a 14-10 lead.
Ryan Van Bergen scored on a fumble return in the second quarter for Michigan, but Clay punched in a 1-yard run just before halftime and Wisconsin never trailed again.
Clay finished with 151 yards rushing, including 109 in the second half.
“I think the most impressive thing was the very last drive we had when they were loading up the box,” Tolzien said. “They knew we were going to run the ball, we knew it, and our offensive line just took it to them in the back. We finished the game off strong.”
Vincent Smith, playing most of the game in place of the injured Minor, finished with 82 total yards for Michigan and scored on a 21-yard pass.
Forcier was 20-of-26 passing for 188 yards and two touchdowns. He started at quarterback after a mid-week spat with Rodriguez over practice habits and a missed study table led to Internet rumors that Denard Robinson would see more playing time.
Robinson played some quarterback and made his first career start at running back, leading the Wolverines with five carries for 36 yards.
“I’m going to do what I have to do to get (the seniors) to a bowl game, but I’m going to get them to a bowl game,” Forcier said. “If it’s spending 10 hours in film this week, I’m going to do that. But we’re going to get them to a bowl game and we’re going to come out and do what we can do against Ohio State.”
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
kerch65
Sun, Nov 15, 2009 : 2:26 p.m.
youre not going to a bowl game you guys stink week in week out same old story you guys are a bunch of pretenders no defense very little offense ive grown quite tired of you guys and what has happened to my beloved wolverines you hav managed to tear down the greatest college football powerhouses of all time in 2 short years. i dont want to hear from you players and coaches about how you are going to get these seniors to a bowlgame talk is cheap and so is the play of this team
15crown00
Sun, Nov 15, 2009 : 8:11 a.m.
Usually when a sports team doesn't do well the fault lies at the feet of the coach or manager.So it is with the UofM football team.Snake Oil Salesman Rich has got to go.He just doesn't "get" Ann Arbor,UofM football,and the Big Ten.OVERMATCHED IS WHAT HE IS. What happened to the BLUE BRAIN WACKO that delighted last year in making all detractors of the Blue and Yellow trolls.Among other things he was told it takes one to know one.SO IT IS.UNDER THE BRIDGE JR.
Blueman Rick
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 11:34 p.m.
wow, FYI: that's TR in the pix. He was one of our presidents. They teach history in WV don't they?
Terrin
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 10:05 p.m.
Wow. I knew we'd be missing Lloyd, but I had no idea how much. He was a bit conservative, but he ran a first rate program. Further, he went 8-2 his first season, and won a National Championship in his third season of coaching. In his thirteen seasons at Michigan, he only went one season were Michigan wasn't ranked in the top twenty with a 7-5 season. In Jim Tressel's second "rebuilding year" at Ohio State he went 14 and 0. Both these coaches were working with somebody else's players, and there was no need to rebuild. Good coaches work with what they have. Further, you can't tell me Michigan doesn't get top ten caliber recruiting every year.
Terrin
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 10:03 p.m.
Wow. I knew we'd be missing Lloyd, but I had no idea how much. He was a bit conservative, but he ran a first rate program. Further, he went 8-2 his first season, and won a National Championship in his third season of coaching. In his thirteen seasons at Michigan, he only went one season were Michigan wasn't ranked in the top twenty with a 7-5 season. In Jim Tressel's second "rebuilding year" at Ohio State he went 14 and 0. Both these coaches were working with somebody else's players, and there was no need to rebuild. Good coaches work with what they have. Further, you can't tell me Michigan doesn't get top ten caliber recruiting every year.
Blueman Rick
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 9:42 p.m.
wow. You guys in WV whined like crazy when RR left. He'll be leaving UM shortly. Maybe he'll make his way back to bush league WV. He certainly is way over his head in the Big 10.
tulsatom
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 9:26 p.m.
I respect people like Theo because he is a loyal, diehard U-M fan through thick and thin he probably bleeds maize and blue, which is cool. Unfortunately, at some point you have to sit back, take off your maize-and-blue glasses and see things objectively. This year's squad started off so promisingly and then just tanked and has been stinking up the place ever since. Like others have said, when they encounter adversity they fold their tents. This is a reflection on the coaching staff -- pure and simple. The second half meltdowns cannot be explained logically otherwise.
wolver4ever
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 9:17 p.m.
I have been a RR supporter from day one but I am having my doubts if he is the man to lead UM. He is going to get another year as Martin isn't leaving until September. This in ti self might help the worst defense in UM history. I see one of the problems is 4 coordinators in 4 years, DeBore, English, Shaffer, now Robinson. The seniors have not played the same defense 2 years in a row. Look as success defenses, most have had a staff that has been around for years. Look when UM had a great defense Herman had been the coordinator for years. The kids played the same defense for year 1 to graduation. That makes a difference
Blueman Rick
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 9:15 p.m.
Indeed. OSU victory at this point is hollow. OSU looked very unimpressive vs. Iowa. Hate to say it but another loss may hasten RR departure. Why not at this point.
nine block
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 9:07 p.m.
Macabre...you are on target. Everyone knows when you coach for Michigan or tOSU that "the Rivalry" can keep your job for you or lose it. Historically however, it was always a given that "the game" had meaning in a national (or at least a regional)sense. That is what has changed. When we reach a point where ESPN and all the rest of the talking heads aren't even talking about "the game" because it has become so lop sided then I become concerned. Even if we beat the Bucks (and by the way...their victory today improve our odds) it won't mean a darned thing. Now...before RR...could you ever have imagined such a scenario?
Blueman Rick
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 9:05 p.m.
yup. Harbaugh is showing he ia a leader. Let's forget Les. Give the boot to RR following OSU and let's move forward. Bo in his grave could have done a better job motivating and coaching this team.
ownrdgd
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 8:49 p.m.
Makes all you complainers want to run right out and blow more money on next season tickets doesent it.I hope they lose every game.Suck it up and move on,RR is not going away any time soon.
Macabre Sunset
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 8:25 p.m.
Cooper was run off for not beating Michigan, just like Lloyd Carr was forced into retirement for losing to Ohio State the last four years. Both coaches were quite successful otherwise. RichRod, on the other hand, has turned a great program into the worst team in the Big Ten. The Ohio State game doesn't even matter any more, we're so far from being a competitive team.
azwolverine
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 8:23 p.m.
commonsense, I agree completely. The fact that RR takes no accountability and points fingers at everyone else is not only a terrible character lesson for the kids on his team, it makes it extremely difficult for the team to rally around him. He is NOT a coach players will knock down walls for. They will play hard until things go bad then, just like their coach, they will fold their tents and give up.
The Grinch
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 8:21 p.m.
RichRod is no Callahan. Ty Willingham, maybe, but no Callahan.
azwolverine
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 8:18 p.m.
mun, Funny you mention Callahan. I work with two die-hard Cornhusker fans. They told me the moment RR was hired that he would be the next Callahan. Now, every Monday when I go to work, they say, "Callahan." However, I checked Callahan's record at Nebraska and he actually went 5-6 in his first season and 8-4 in his next. He then went as high as 9-5 in year three before falling back to 5-7 with numerous blowout losses. As sad as it is to say, RR is no Callahan...he is worse.
commonsense
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 8:13 p.m.
RR is going to pin our hopes on the next couple years of recruiting? Who exactly does he think will want to play for a bowl-less, losing, bottom-of-the-conference team!? If he never takes ownership of this mess, how does he expect to get any investment from his players??? My tolerance for excuses and placations for this historic and colossal failure is gone. Enjoy your retirement, Bill.
azwolverine
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 8:12 p.m.
Bloohoohoo, John Cooper was HUGELY successful at OSU outside of the Michigan game. He would have had his team in line for several National Championships if not for falling to Michigan consistently. Unfortunately for us Michigan fans, RR is not even in Cooper's class.
The Grinch
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 8:09 p.m.
Yeah, Theo, some people don't get it. And your "Waaaaaaaaaah" is simply proof that, no matter your love of Richrod or your hated of Lloyd Carr, the best you can do is 5th grade "debate" tactic. Worst two-year record in the history of UM football. Fourteen scholarships not filled on the current team (let me clue you in: it means he can't recruit). A sideline that resembles a Chinese fire drill. A team that gets demonstrably worse as the season goes on. The "King"? Yeah, the king of losing football. Enjoy yourself next season (it will be his last). Looking at the schedule there is no hope for 6-6. Might beat WMU. Probably will beat U-Mass. Everything else is problematic.
Bluehoohoo
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 8:06 p.m.
I think Buckeye fans forgot the John Cooper era
tomhagan
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 7:56 p.m.
Mun... Bill Callahan won a bowl game at Nebraska..... Rich Rod is no Bill Callahan.
schristie
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 7:54 p.m.
I am a RR supporter only because I think you have to give this guy one more year (and he will get it). Most of the team will consist of his recruits, so he will have no excuses at all. His behind will really be on the hot seat in 2010!!! My question is what will it take to keep or lose his job when he coaches in 2010? I'm thinking he must get 8-9 wins at least and and beat Ohio State at Columbus unfortunately.
azwolverine
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 7:53 p.m.
Okay Theo, you're an RR backer. What does he have to do next year to be successful in your opinion? Is there ANYTHING he can do to prove to you that he is unsuccessful? Will 5-7 do it? 4-8? 0-12? What does he need to do to prove himself unworthy of being Michigan's coach next season? At this point, you and your RR crowd are giving him a free pass NO MATTER WHAT he does. What does he have to do to get fired, in your opinion?
mun
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 7:52 p.m.
RichRod is for U-M what Bill Callahan was for Nebraska.
azwolverine
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 7:33 p.m.
wow, At this time, you are right. And, until we fire RR and purge his stench from our program, you will continue to be right. Also, those RR backers who predicted RR to go 9-3 this year AND last year, it may be time to admit that RR has fallen well short of even your expectations. Further, it may be time to admit that your ability to prognosticate is awful and, therefore, your predictions of future success under RR are worthless.
rightmind250
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 7:14 p.m.
Did you guys hear, Sparty is bowl eligible. UM worst record in big 10 at 1-6. Illinois is 1-5, but they beat UM anyway. Way to go RR. How about that year end bonus.
chosen1
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 7:10 p.m.
richrod would be a great offensive coordinator, but a head coach he is not.
rightmind250
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 7:06 p.m.
Oh gosh, I wish, i wish, I wish. You sound like Dorothy from the wizard of Oz.
The Grinch
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 7:02 p.m.
Yeah, Carr left a mess. His QB heir apparent is leading the SEC in passing and, going into today's game, had 18 TDs and 4 INTs. He left a team with 10 starters on Defense and 6 on Offense (RichRod ran several of them off). To blame Carr for this mess is to admit your ignorance, or to admit your blind hatred of a great coach, or (most likely) both. You Carr haters deserve this. Unfortunately, neither the team nor the rest of us do. And it sounds as if Forcier is leaving. Guess that's Lloyd's fault, too!
IndianaBlue
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 7:01 p.m.
I can't take it any more. RR has destroyed everything I loved about Michigan football--the fight, heart, determination and of course the results. I don't blame the kids, because they are just that, kids. The once mighty Blue are so, so terrible and it hurts. And the coach continues to lay blame everywhere but at his own feet. Dews-trash; Hopson-trash; RR-even worse. We are now an also ran with little hope on the horizon. What else can I say? There is plenty blame to go around, but in the end, RR's teams have destroyed every record or streak possible. His platitudes about how they will fight for the biggest game of the year, and have a good week of practice is all garbage. He does not understand The Game, or any other for that matter. Just see the Backyard brawl from two years ago...I will keep my season tix, I will continue to support the team, but I can't abide by keeping this coach. Being Purdue's, OSU's, MSU's and fill in the blank's female dog is too hard to bear, at least from a football standpoint. My kids and wife are healthy, I have a good job, and otherwise life is great, but my maize and blue soul is torn to shreds and RR is the reason why. I am just so sad and needed this catharsis. Go ahead and tell me what a loser I am, I don't care. Try living around Boiler fans, obnoxious idiots that they are, and see the scorn for our once proud program. Just sad.
mun
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 6:31 p.m.
Well, Lloyd Carr haters, whatchya gotta say now?
Point_Given
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 6:26 p.m.
...and, by NOW, I mean before the OSU game, LOL!
Point_Given
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 6:24 p.m.
Right this second, I'm watching Stanford push USC around like they are Deleware State. I wonder if Bill Martin is watching too? More importantly, I wonder if it means anything to him? Godddammmmittt - get Harbaugh back to the Big House NOW!
The Grinch
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 6:12 p.m.
Stanford 42, U$C 21. Time to Hire Harbaugh
The Grinch
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 6:01 p.m.
As was true last year, this team is getting worse as the year goes on. That has nothing to do with lack of talent. That, ladies and gentlemen, is the result of poor coaching.
maizenbluedoc
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 6 p.m.
To put it simply, lame the loss on LACK OF DEFENSE.
tulsatom
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 5:59 p.m.
Thanks for the evaluation, GoblueinNE_PA. The second half collapses have puzzled me all year, especially after I bought in to the hype about how well conditioned the team would be under Barwis. To me, it was either lack of conditioning, being outcoached, or something other psychological issue.
Fort
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 5:47 p.m.
Hey Saginaw - I don't know how good the Badgers are, but they are a hell of a lot better than MU:):)
maulerblue
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 5:39 p.m.
Look, Our Helmets have wings.
ritawedaliar
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 5:39 p.m.
Hail to the victors, the Wisconsin Badgers.
Satch
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 5:37 p.m.
I'm no fan of RR--for one thing he seems to be clueless about how to best utilize Forcier, who is deadly on the roll-out option and yet they seem to almost perversely avoid calling it for him. But if Michigan had two good (not great, just good) safeties, they would probably have one loss at most and be ranked top 15.
GoblueinNE_PA
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 5:30 p.m.
TulsaTom This team is mentally weak, which is a reflection of their weak minded hillbilly coach. You see every game, they lose their composure. Today, that point happened when we brought that KO out of the endzone and started the drive at the 10. That was a mistake, a mistake that a well coached team doesn't make. Against Purdue, it was the onside kick. Against Illinois, it was losing the challenge on the TD, not the 4th down challenge, but when the receiver was ruled down at the 1. The Idiot quit on the team when he sent in DRob against Iowa. That was an obvious situation for your passing QB, especially one that had shown he could lead that game winning drive. The team, IMO, came to realize that RR was more concerned about being "right" rather than winning this season. They have not been the same since that moment. They never gave up before then, but have played dead at the first sign of adversity since. I wrote here that we'd regret letting that Iowa game get away, I just didn't realize how bad it would get.
tulsatom
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 5:27 p.m.
U-M had better be recruiting good defensive players or else the pain will continue. They've already got about 30 smurf slot receivers and such. Now is the time to recruit some hard-nosed tough defenders that are able to stop somebody. There is more to a team than just offense, Coach Rodriguez.
wondering
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 5:21 p.m.
The only bowl I see this year is the toilet bowl. Hail to the Victors next year?!
tulsatom
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 5:20 p.m.
What is the cause of all the 2nd half meltdowns? In most games, U-M is either ahead or playing the other team close in the first half only to get blown out in the second half. I justr don't understand it. It can't all be due to lack of talent because if that were the case, you'd expect the point differential to be about the same in both halfs.
GettingBluer
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 5:20 p.m.
All you RR-fanboys: Have you noticed that by the second half, almost every team (except that high school from Delaware) has figured out the offense and STOPPED it? M should hire WV's AD and let HIM find a coach since we seem to be enamored with whatever he finds...we just pay more to take them away. Seems like it'd make more sense to "discover" them and at least get them on the cheap.
university brat
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 5:18 p.m.
"The way a football team plays is a reflection of it's coach" (paraphrasing Wlliam D. Revelli). A TRUE BLUE Michigan fan will know Revelli's importance to Wolverine football. Hint: "Bo" gave the eulogy at his funeral. Enough with blaming the players. If you are on the roster of any Big Ten football team and get to dress for games, YOU'VE ALREADY GOT TALENT. A good coach (you don't even have to be great) will bring out that talent. InRichRod. Remember the old saying, "there's a sucker born every minute". Coleman and Martin got suckered by your man. Sounds like you have too.
GettingBluer
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 5:15 p.m.
I don't think the team could do any worse if they had no coaches at all. So far, RR has broken tons of records at Michigan. Unfortunately, ALL of them have been for various failures.
Blueman Rick
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 5:13 p.m.
GoblueinNE_PA: We had exactly the same vision. I agree w/ your assessment vs. OSU next week.
Blueman Rick
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 5:12 p.m.
Not surprised at the outcome at all. Following the Penn St. debacle, I wrote in this forum that I expected UM would lose all of their remaining games. I have no ability to see the future but I sure can see a program without direction. No confidence. No real leadership.
GoblueinNE_PA
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 5:10 p.m.
Year 3 Big Ten Title, Year 4 National Title. Everyone remember when those were the predictions? LOL!!! The 5 wins this season will be the HIGH point of RR's career at Michigan. Bank on it. I said a few weeks ago, after the PSU debacle, that this team wouldn't win another game this season and that RR wouldn't win another game as HC at Michigan. The first part has come true (we have no chance against OSU) and I'm betting the 2nd will come true as well.
FLWolverine
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 5:05 p.m.
When RR says he's still "trying to fix things" it's a confession that he can't seem to handle the fine China. It wasn't broken until about 22 months ago. Last year's pieces have broken into smaller bits under his watch. Look at the five wins this year. Delaware State, Eastern and Western were gimmes. That leaves last-minute wins against a bad Indiana team and a mediocre Notre Dame. So the only way to look at last year's nightmare is to admit that it's just as bad, or worse. What a complete waste of two perfectly good autumns.
aarox
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 4:58 p.m.
captain agree with everything you said - except you said it wasn't RR's fault, but it was Bill Martin's fault for hiring RR. That's a pretty thin line to draw isn't it? Either way RR is the problem, and yes, we hired him. Shame on us.
wondering
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 4:56 p.m.
Did he get the job because he owns so much property in Ann Arbor?
aarox
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 4:55 p.m.
Who thinks we have a better chance to win next week - with or without RR?
wondering
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 4:53 p.m.
unforgivable
captain
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 4:53 p.m.
this isn't richrods fault.. but it is now his problem. the real mess here is bill martin... he botched the les myles hire the rutgers coach embarassment and then panicked and hired rich rod w/o properly vetting him... that much is obvious now. gotta get rid of martin now so that he doesn't get another chance to foul up the program if richrod has to go when the investigation comes in... first things first... not mention that martin is such a miserable person!
aarox
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 4:53 p.m.
Its painful to even log on to comment on this. Not even a game. Not that I'm surprised. If there were draft picks at stake I'd say keep RR for another year, but it works the opposite way in college. Wake me up when we are mEEchigan again.
tulsatom
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 4:52 p.m.
The Wolverines have been outscored by a combined 99-19 in the second half of the past four Big Ten games. Whatever ever happened to the so-called Barwis conditioning difference? It's either that or the other team outcoaches the U-M staff game after game by making better adjustments at halftime. I can't believe I'd ever see the day when they would have the worst defense in the Big Ten. It's incredible.
maulerblue
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 4:51 p.m.
Fire Rich Rod!
Falconiero
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 4:48 p.m.
I feel like a Yankee fan in the 1980s. I understand that UofM is attempting to reestablish themselves as the USC of the Midwest, the Yankees of College Football. I also understand that Rodriguez is probably the best bet to bring about this inevitable outcome in the shortest amount of time. But we the fans have to endure the pain, the humiliation, the embarrassment of losing. So I say this to Rich, take the criticism like a man... because we deserve it, and we're NOT getting paid $2.5M a year.
wondering
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 4:47 p.m.
Why did a friend just send me condolences. How sad is this? Rod is a joke. Let the chips fall where they may.
orlandomichfan
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 4:45 p.m.
this has got to stop we cant let state have a better record than us.. saturdays are not supposed to be depressing
Macabre Sunset
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 4:41 p.m.
In just under two seasons, RichRod has more than half of Lloyd Carr's Big Ten losses in 13 full seasons. Better to fire him when he loses yet again to Ohio State than endure another year of him destroying our program. Without question, he is the worst coach in major college football. Every game, he does a little bit more damage.
saginaw
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 4:41 p.m.
There is something very wrong. Wisconsin is not that good. We need to see the next email message from Mary Sue to Richard.
orlandomichfan
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 4:41 p.m.
sick just sick..what else can you say...
GoblueinNE_PA
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 4:34 p.m.
Why wait for next weeks game, Prof?
profdavid
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 4:33 p.m.
RR couldn't win the big games at West Virginia, now he can't even with the small games at Michigan. What an embarrassment he is. If he had any class at all he'd resign after next week's game.
wondering
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 4:28 p.m.
azwolverine-you are in point again!
azwolverine
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 4:26 p.m.
Fresh, How can you say to let RR finish out his contract (really, 4 more years of this trash?) because you can't simply fire coaches every time they have a bad year, but then you turn around and say to fire Greg Robinson because of his bad year? I'm sensing a disconnect in your logic here. If anyone needs to be fired it's RR. It has now been TWO AWFUL, TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE (and yes, BAD) years. He hired Shafer and Robinson. The buck stops with him. And by the way, the offense isn't that good either. We only scored 17 today (D scored 7), 13 against Illinois, and 10 against PSU. Michigan stinks on both sides of the ball. Great job, RR.
GoblueinNE_PA
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 4:25 p.m.
Another pathetic performance by the idiots team. I feel horrible for the kids. It's so obvious that there is little to no coaching of fundamentals going on. Next weeks pounding will mercifully end this horrible season. Take away the KO return vs ND (lucky) and the late TD pass against IU (lucky) and we are right back where we were last year. I'd like to know where all the koolaid drinkers are that were proclaiming a national title for this idiot in his 3rd year. My gut tells me we'll finish 3-9 next season and see the 100K in attendance record fall to the wayside. I've yet to hear a good reason, other than money, for why this idiot should be kept for another year.
BlueFan97
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 4:23 p.m.
I'm tired of hearing that the cupboard was bare when RR took over. Michigan had more talent when RR got here than at least 7 of the 11 Big Ten schools, yet he's, so far, compiled a 3-12 record, which WILL be 3-13 after next weeks loss to OSU. Come on, Dantonio took over a debacle in East Lansing, and went 9-7 in the Big Ten his first 2 years at State (and 16-10 overall). You think MSU had more talent than Michigan. If you think so, then you're really drinking some kool-aid. This is such a debacle. Let's at least cut ties with Bill Martin NOW, and not wait until next September and hopefully get a good AD in here. Embarrassing is the only word to describe Michigan football these days.
wondering
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 4:10 p.m.
Sorry, I meant "wash"
wondering
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 4:09 p.m.
dzuck- know the feeling. I actually fired up the grill today. I couldnt look at the TV the whole time I was busy grilling. The food is awesome, the game however sucked as usual. I knew in my heart it was over, but one can always hold out a little hope. Next week I'll was the neighbors cars!
chosen1
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 4:07 p.m.
inrichrod....when rich leaves, please follow suit!!!
azwolverine
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 4:02 p.m.
Do we really have to suffer through one more year of RR before he is fired? I'm sure Terrelle Pryor is really regretting his decision to play for OSU at this point. Ugh.
st.julian
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 4:01 p.m.
Tulane might welcome rich rod back. We can take a collection for his bus fare
Fresh121
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 4 p.m.
If every coach was fired for bad seasons then there would be no coaches. Give Rich rod his contract length then go from there, i would fire everybody on the D side of the ball atleast are offense scores are D is out there for what im not sure of. Hire a Sec defense guy something greg rob. Is a horrible D coach michigan had a slew of them english shaffer robinson all stunk. The D is why we never win i dont care if its RR Greg R. Tell the D can ever play we will stink.
IoniaDawg
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 3:59 p.m.
I would love to see the new AD bring in Brian Kelly before Notre Dame hires him.
profdavid
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 3:53 p.m.
Michigan has no hope of beating Ohio St. They are the WORST team in the Big 10. If it weren't for lousy officiating in the Indiana game, Michigan would be 0-8 in the league. They stink and are getting worse! RR should be fired immediately after next week's drubbing. Michigan needs to hire a coach with some class and football knowledge. RR has neither!!!
newe82
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 3:45 p.m.
The season was over a few weeks ago so let's look at the bright spots for today's game and the 2009 season: - Held Wisconsin under 50 points. - Defense can't get much worse. (I think) - Not shut out in the big ten play (big win vs. Indiana) - Games are a lot less stressful because you no the outcome before the game starts. - Only one more blowout loss to OSU and the season is finally over. -Tressel is a compasionate coach and will not allow his team to score more than 70 points next week. - No bowl means no practice which means no more possible NCAA sanctions. - Basketball season has started. - We are one game closer to having a new coach at the end of next year's 4-8 2010 season. Thank goodness this year is over after next week.
wondering
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 3:44 p.m.
I guess I can dream with you.
tomhagan
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 3:39 p.m.
15 losses and.333 winning percentage in the Rich Rod Error so far.