UPDATE: Uh-oh! CMU, EMU and now WMU in big trouble thanks to Rich Rod!

Re: Uh-oh! Cental Michigan, or some other smaller football program, in trouble

Welll Buffalo actually chose to go to the International Bowl last year.

And if the Pizza bowl is the Motor City Bowl, is there still a PapaJohns Bowl, is that something different?

 

Re: Uh-oh! Cental Michigan, or some other smaller football program, in trouble

Different pizza, different bowl...

 

Re: Uh-oh! Cental Michigan, or some other smaller football program, in trouble

So there are two bowls named after Pizza?

 

Re: Uh-oh! Cental Michigan, or some other smaller football program, in trouble

Little Caesar's -- Detroit
Papa John's -- Birmingham

 

Re: Uh-oh! Cental Michigan, or some other smaller football program, in trouble

Buffalo chose the International, because of its proximity to Toronto.

Closer for the fans. Easier to get a better turnout, especially since they don't have a rich bowl history.

The Bills and Sabres do a good bit of promotion in Toronto and even play some games there.

 

Re: Uh-oh! Cental Michigan, or some other smaller football program, in trouble

Everyone who wants Rodriguez fired for on-field performance in - wait for it - year freaking two, I again pose these factors:

1. 3/4 of the team are freshmen or sophomores.
2. Fifteen players under the scholarship limit.
3. True freshman quarterback.
4. New defensive coordinator with a new system.

These are ... "excuses"???

I expect such nonsense from impatient fans, not a board of professional sports journalists.

 

Re: Uh-oh! Cental Michigan, or some other smaller football program, in trouble

Why can't he get blue-chippers to sign? They don't want to play in a system that won't train them for the pros. Sorry, but this wussy midget-ball spread crap won't pull 'em in.

Notice how many pros Bo, Mo and Lloyd turned out and how many blue-chippers they pulled in with a real offense.

 

Re: Uh-oh! Cental Michigan, or some other smaller football program, in trouble

Don't let facts get in the way of your argument.

This is a constant misconception of the spread offense, which I (like Waylon) would expect from someone who knows nothing about sports, not actual journalists. This thread is beginning to be a joke.

You call Rodriguez' offense "wussy midget-ball spread crap" Did you ever see Owen Schmitt play for West Virginia?

Yes, RR has some small players like running back Vincent Smith but he also has backs like Michael Shaw, a bruiser who carries the ball as much as Smith does. For next year's class, Michigan is targeting two running backs Austin White from Livonia, Mich. (a smaller back) and Stephen Hopkins, a power back from Texas (I think). Rodriguez isn't just recruiting small players. Yeah Tate Forcier is like 175 pounds soaking wet, but 2010 QB commit Devin Gardner is 6-4 201 pounds. (Remember that name by the way)

You don't think "wussy midget players" can play in a "real offense" and won't make it to the NFL?

DeAngelo Williams, Reggie Bush and Wes Welker would like to have a word with you.

 

Re: Uh-oh! Cental Michigan, or some other smaller football program, in trouble

1. RR has had comparable classes to LLoyd Carr. Decomits, transfers and players skipping classes and being kicked off the team contributed to the lack of scholarship players more than being able to recruit.

2. The system matters more than 3 games a year when your secondary is possibly the worst in the BCS.
At one safety, Michigan has redshirt sophomore Mike Williams (a Carr recruit) who is playing for the first season.
At the other safety Michigan has a slow, white walk on who they load in the box nearly every down because they know they cant stop the pass. They hope to stop the run.
At the weak corner they have rotated a trio of underclassmen all season. They all suck and one was kicked off the team for missing class. At the other corner they have Donovan Warren, a very solid player.

Michigan also has an underclassmen playing backup safety who sees limited time.

So lets break this down, Michigan has had a seven player secondary.
One is a junior, one is a walk on and the other five are freshman or sophomores (and one is off the team).

And that factored into WAY more than 3 games this season.

1. Could not keep ND out of the end zone in the second half, almost cost them a huge loss after a blown lead.
2. Could not keep a Indiana team out of the end zone a week later and nearly got upset
3. Made Moeaki from Iowa look like freakin' Antonio Gates with numerous blown coverages. 3RD AND 26 CONVERSION, is a major reason they lost that game.
4. Couldn't stop Purdue's passing game. Donovan Warren had to sit 10 yards back in coverage because he has zero safety help.
5. Couldn't cover Nick Toon with a pool tarp.
6. Surely couldn't cover any one on PSU.
7. Same for Illinois.

I've struggled through an entire season of watching the secondary blow assignments because they simply don't know what they are doing. This isn't an offensive problem, its not a linebacking problem or a special teams problem. This is not a coaching problem the special teams and offense and the lines have gotten much better. It is one bad area that gets exploited by every team and has cost them many games.

 

Re: Uh-oh! Cental Michigan, or some other smaller football program, in trouble

Because Reggie Bush has done such a wonderful job living up to expectations in the NFL.

I don't really agree with WolvEagle's characterization of the system, though I could see it turning off some players who want to showcase their skills in more of a pro-style offense. I think that might have been part of what turned Pryor off. He didn't want to be Pat White because there is a strong argument to be made that it wasn't his best path to the NFL.

Of course, having Rodriguez expose himself as a dirtbag during the recruiting process probably didn't help, either. System or not, that decision hurt Michigan. I know Pryor has been erratic at Ohio State, but he really is a perfect fit for Rodriguez's system. Also, losing out on a high-profile recruit like that always has a trickle-down effect.

Whether it is the system or not, Rodriguez has not recruited particularly well so far. I think tstumpf makes a fair point in suggesting that is the reason why they are so far under the scholarship limit.

 

Re: Uh-oh! Cental Michigan, or some other smaller football program, in trouble

And you don't think letting one area be that weak reflects at all on the coach? I think you do have to look at the coaching staff at least a little bit when you are constantly having blown assignments and players not knowing what they are supposed to be doing.

 

Re: Uh-oh! Cental Michigan, or some other smaller football program, in trouble

The idea that Michigan should not lose to Toledo, "ever," is simply ludicrous and reflects a simpleton view of college football. Should Bob Stoops have been fired for losing to Boise State? Lou Holtz once lost to Air Force at Notre Dame. Fireable offense? Carr lost to Appalachian State and beat Florida in the same season. Jim Calhoun lost to George Mason with a Final Four berth on the line. Should everyone that George Mason left in its path been on the hot seat? After all, Michigan State should not lose to George Mason. "Ever."

Even the best programs can't win with freshmen and sophomores. Not in a BCS conference.

They are better than last year. They should be better next year than they were this year. Rodriguez, again, won 33 games his last three years at West Virginia, including three straight New Year's Day bowl victories. You can make fun of the offense, but we see how much Charlie Weis has won with his super neato NFL decided schematic advantage with NFL first-round picks all over the field. Rodriguez's offensive scheme is fine.

You would bench Albert Pujols if he went 0-for-4 on Opening Day.