My rant on Michigan: First off, I'd keep RichRod, but he would hand over defensive duties to a capable DC. Rod has such a power hold on this team that even if Robinson was the best DC in the world, we'd still be running the 3-3-5. That defense is great in a conference like the Big East, Big 12 or even Pac 10. But this is the Big T...en. Most teams in this conference depend on their running game to set up the pass. With that said, why we are still running that scheme blows my mind. Pros of the 3-3-5: Swarming secondary... which Michigan lacks badly. Cons- Little to no pressure on the QB and RBs CONSTANTLY getting past the 1st level of defenders. Wisconsin threw ONE pass in the 2nd half.. ONE! Yet we still ran RichRod's D. Terrible. Why not switch it up to get more pressure on the offensive line and the running game? Your secondary already gets lit up, it's not like it can get worse. I'm fine with the offense. Denard is counted upon to do too much, but that will change next year with Dee Hart stepping into the starting role at RB. We are young, improving and competing. Special Teams: Shit. Plain and simple. But, ST is something that can be fixed with ONE player, a capable Kicker. Get on the horn, get a DC and let him do his job RichRod. Start bringing in a talent level on defense that equals your fantasy of talent on offense. We fix this defense and get a kicker, and I'm happy with the direction of The University of Michigan football program. End rant.

Yeah, they definitely need a good DC. You would think that a school with the prestige of Michigan could get someone in there to help.

More important than Rich Rod giving up control of the D. He also must have the recruiting of defensive players taken away from him.

Yeah, it's not just the scheme... Michigan...err...Rich Rod, just hasn't consistently recruited quality players on the defensive side of the ball.

ccrunner609;568521 wrote:Hey dont get rid of him....he is good for OSU football

For now..

Sorry True, but I have to disagree. UM isn't competing w/ any decent teams. RR has to go. He doesn't recruit well at all, especially defensively. Williams isn't a bad coordinator, if he can run his defense. UM is so far away defensively from having a competitive team, it's ridiculous. Like I said on the game thread, as an OSU fan, I want Michigan to be back to the old Michigan, but they aren't even close right now.

se-alum;568745 wrote:Sorry True, but I have to disagree. UM isn't competing w/ any decent teams. RR has to go. He doesn't recruit well at all, especially defensively. Williams isn't a bad coordinator, if he can run his defense. UM is so far away defensively from having a competitive team, it's ridiculous. Like I said on the game thread, as an OSU fan, I want Michigan to be back to the old Michigan, but they aren't even close right now.

It's fine bud, you're certainly entitled to your opinion. I just think if we get a good DC and Rich actually let's him coach and recruit, we'll be alright. From everything I've read, Dave Brandon is basically telling Rich to loosen his reign on this team. Gotta let the coaches do their jobs ya know?

I think Rich Rod needs to beat Ohio State to save his job. IMO the natives are getting restless.

An honest question for the UM fans. How many think that 7-5(assuming they lose next week) is the improvement that you guys were looking for? and making the GMAC bowl, if thats the bowl they would make.

I think if you just look at the record, 7-5, that's what most reasonable people predicted. The problem is the way they lost to anyone with talent. Got their asses handed to them by MSU, Iowa, Wiscy, Penn State and most likely OSU.

If they could have been competitive in those games, I might feel better (and don't mention any comebacks). Also, the defense has gotten worse over 3 years. Unacceptable.

WebFire;569144 wrote:I think if you just look at the record, 7-5, that's what most reasonable people predicted. The problem is the way they lost to anyone with talent. Got their asses handed to them by MSU, Iowa, Wiscy, Penn State and most likely OSU.

If they could have been competitive in those games, I might feel better (and don't mention any comebacks). Also, the defense has gotten worse over 3 years. Unacceptable.

My thoughts exactly, they didn't show any ability to even remotely compete with the top teams. Defense has regressed terribly as RR's recruits have gotten to Ann Arbor.

There is no quick fix for Michigan. Maybe moving to the SEC would be the best choice, because with 5 losses they'd still be ranked LOL

The Bottom Line. Michigan will finish in a 3 way tie with Purdue and Northwestern for 7th thru 9th place in the Big Ten, with 3-5 records. Their best finish in the past 3 years. WOEFUL.

Yes, it is very different losing by a lot compared to close games. For example, we have lost 5 games this season, but have been 8 pts or less in all, and most were about 3 pt losses. What rrod does to defenses is crazy.

Trueblue23;568754 wrote:It's fine bud, you're certainly entitled to your opinion. I just think if we get a good DC and Rich actually let's him coach and recruit, we'll be alright. From everything I've read, Dave Brandon is basically telling Rich to loosen his reign on this team. Gotta let the coaches do their jobs ya know?

RichRod's ego is WAY to large for what your suggesting. If he's being told he must relinquish complete control of half of the responsibilities of the head coach at Michigan, it sounds like a plan to make him quit in embarrassment. I'm sure those in power and the big money doners would love to have RichRod as an offensive coordinator with someone else as head coach. Obviously this can never happen.