U of M thread (in the Lions Forum) :)

[SeattleLionsFan]

I am not ready to fire RichRod, but I am certainly no longer anywhere near a RichRod supporter.

The offense is fine, see PennState/Florida, the execution of the team is awful. They can hardly field punts for god sakes...PUNTS!

[Niffla]

I knew it wasn't going to be a smooth transition but what RR has accomplished here so far in his brief tenure is amazing.

- Last year was the first year in 50 years that UM didn't win consecutive games

- 08' the most losses in program history

- Saw the end of a 30 plus year bowl streak

- First UM coach to lose to a MAC team

- Lost to Purdue in AA for the first time since the late 60's

- Has a conference record of 3-11. 3-11!!!

- He's lost 5 Big Ten games by 25 points or more. In the previous 40 years prior to his arrival UM lost exactly TWO Big Ten games by 25 or more.

- Lost to frigging Illinois by 25 this year AND last year. LMAO

- Has a combined record of 1 and 4 against rivals ND, MSU, and Ohio State (soon to be 1 and 5 when they get slaughtered by the Buckeyes in 2 weeks)

And I'm probably missing a couple.

[nhwbrooklyn]

I think part of the problem was Martin's handling of the last two lame duck years for Carr. I'm sure that affected recruiting when a player knows people are clamoring for the coaches head and that, in turn, left RR with a very weak team to start with.

Then the controversy, a high number of players leaving the program.. the bad press moments.. not fully being embraced by UofM faithful... the weight of UofM history making every loss an historic event. Thats a lot for any coach to have to win through and it might be that R.R. is a good enough coach (if given a clean slate), but he didn't/doesn't have a chance in this environment. And unfairly to R.R. but good for the next coach, if they go that route, is they will be compared to R.R.'s record more than the history of UofM and have more breathing room and support than R.R. ever got. With guys like Kelly out there... unless UofM pulls an upset in the last two weeks, I think there is a good chance the noise gets too loud and the new AD will have to act.

[Rocky Bleier]

His bullshit gimmicky pussy spread works when you're playing fucking Delaware State or who the hell ever but when it comes crunch time this bullshit isn't going to work in the Big Ten. See the Penn State game.

Unless it's Oregon destroying USC.

[nhwbrooklyn]

Or Florida or Oklahoma.. I don't think its the "gimmick" spread offense thats the problem.

[Kstat]

the spread is no longer a gimmick...get with the new century. Plenty of elite powerhouses are using it and winning.

[Rocky Bleier]

When I look at the roster there is still a lack of talent among the upper classmen. I think RR has tried to stockpile some of the younger guys with redshirts this year. Tate Forcier is too small, in my opinion, to take the pounding he has taken. They definitely need to recruit better on defense (cb,s, lb). Rodriguez may need to fire his buddy Tony Gibson, but it won't happen. The turnovers, missed tackles, and mental mistakes are maddening to watch every week. They may not be good until Devin Gardner is ready to take the reins.

[Tane]

I'm not a Michigan Fan, but you've gotta give the guy some time. He didn't have enough time in his first year to get a true recruiting class, IMO. This year, his guys are freshmen and sophmores. Give him a chance with his guys. If if Tate Forcier is a senior, and he still can't win, then I agree, get rid of him.

With a College coach, I think you need to give him at LEAST 5 years before you can decide what kind of a job he's done. He's trying to build a Program here, and he pretty much started from scratch.

Last year, Michigan was Bad. This year, I figured they'd be better. Next year, I think they'll be "good" and the year after that, I think they'll be relevant. No one expected them to be good this year, before the year started. by going 4-0 and beating a bunch of cream puffs, and Notre Dame, I think the Expectations of Michigan fans Skyrocketed, when they shouldn't have.

This year, they're a lot better than last year. It may not show in the record, but is you put this year's team against last year's team, This years team wins 95 times out of 100.

Give him a couple more years.

Go Buckeyes.

[nhwbrooklyn]

Give him a couple more years.

Go Buckeyes.

Your bishop is exposed

I would say hire Kelly. RR will never get enough time to be good enough for most UofM fans anyhow, even then its not a sure thing by any means that he does get UofM to the point of being contenders again... might as well transition now to the next guy who will get more time and backing then have to do it in a year or two.

Go MSU.

[Tane]

the next guy's gonna bring in a new system, and you'll go through the same thing. another losing season, and again, blue fans will be calling for his head...and then another losing season, and patiencewill be out.

[Niffla]

the spread is no longer a gimmick...get with the new century. Plenty of elite powerhouses are using it and winning.

I hate it. If that makes me out of touch than so be it. I'll always prefer say, Alabama's way of doing it (big, bad ass defense & O-line and pro-style offense) than this stupid, lame ass spread. And so what if Oregon is beating USC right now, like that validates this junk offense. Is Oregon ever going to surpass USC as the top program in the Pac 10? LMAO. Come on.

[Niffla]

But anyways even though I'm ragging on this lame ass junk offense, obviously it's not the problem. It's actually been a strength compared to every other facet of his team.

And is it too much to ask to not get pasted by the Illini 2 years in a row by 25? How about being competitive at home against a mediocre Penn State team? I'm not even asking for wins here for God's sake! That's how low things are. I'd be freaking satisfied by hanging with the Illini. LOL. I just want them to be competitive. 38-13 Illinois? Are you serious? 34-10 Nittany Lions in Ann Arbor? Now losing to a bad Purdue team in AA for the first time in 40 years. What's the next low point? Shit it took a last minute touchdown to avoid losing to Indiana which would have made us winless in the BT at this point.

They are the worst team in the Big Ten. No excuses. UM should be able to roll out of bed in their worst years and still at least be a middle of the pack Big Ten team. I don't care if they're in transition or not. It's ridiculous for them to be this bad. They are 22 games into RR's tenure. I'm not asking them to win the conference. Just be better than THE WORST team in the Big Ten.

[Drew]

The feeling I get watching the Michigan defense is as bad as the feeling watching the Lion defense.

Years past, it was bearable to watch the Lions because that same weekend, you at least got to watch Michigan play.

Excellent rant, Niffla. I'm with you, if RR was fired now, I wouldn't have any problem with it at all.

[Ted]

The defense is pathetic and exectution in both ST and defense is horrible. The offense, though quick strike capable and scoring what should be more than enough points in most games, makes to many silly mistakes which you can't have with this weak defense. ST are executed horribly.

Although I am not in favor of firing RichRod, these mistakes are from poor coaching.I suspect you will see Michigan get blown out the last 2 games and if that happens, the new AD may very well put the axe down so he can start with a clean slate.

Although I am not one to dwell on the past, I felt they should have hired Jim Harbaugh but for some reason, Martin would not entertain the idea. If RichRod does go, I think they should give Harbaugh a serious look.

[Kstat]

the defense is the reason they suck right now. It isnt the offense.

The spread isnt the reason they suck on D.

ANd I'd say the fact that FLORIDA uses a variation of the spread just might validate its usefulness, but thats just me.