Sdgobucks;1298978; said:
We havent beat him yet. Dont forget OSU looked like shit JT's first year too, and most people probably thought they would beat us pretty easily.
Ohio State didn't look "like shit" in 2001. The Buckeyes were 7-5 with come-from-ahead losses to Wisconsin (17-20 score) and Penn State (27-29 score), and a last-second loss to South Carolina (28-31 score) in the Outback Bowl. That's three losses ... by a total of just eight points ... each of which could very easily have been a win. If two of those three games go the Bucks' way, then were looking at a 9-3 season with a win in The Game and possibly a bowl game victory ... and 2002 doesn't seem like such a miracle season.
By the way, the Buckeyes' other losses in 2001 were on the road at 7-4 UCLA (6-13 score) and at home to 10-2 Big Ten champs Illinois (22-34 score).
In contrast, the 2008 Michigan squad has lost at home to a Mountain West team and a MAC team, barely beat another MAC team at home, got blown out by a pretty bad Notre Dame team (17-35 score) in a rivalry game, and got hammered by conference foes Illinois (20-45 score) and Penn State (17-46 score). Ohio State might have been frustrating to watch at times during the 2001 season ... Hell, they've been frustrating to watch at times in 2008 ... but by playing Tressball, JT kept his team in every game ... and more importantly instilled valuable principles (field position, ball control, turnover margin, big plays) in his players that helped the team to win several tough games and earn the national championship in 2002. With all of the turnovers, blown assignments, mental mistakes, sloppy play, lack of effort, lack of discipline, etc., what exactly has RichRod instilled in his players that will take them - individually and as a team - to the next level any time soon?
And one more thing ... Michigan will be fortunate to win four games this year ... and they won't be going to a bowl game.
cincibuck;1299333; said:
I think the better question might be how many want to wring his neck for leaving the cupboard so bare.
Point well taken ... well sort of. No one can deny that Michigan lost their four-year starting quarterback, their four-year starting tailback, perhaps their best-ever offensive lineman, and two very good wide receivers ... but RichRod ran off their two best returning offensive players (Boren and Mallett), so not all of the blame for lack of talent can be laid at Carr's feet.
And let's not forget that Lloyd's recruiting classes were all highly-rated - according to Rivals, their 2004 class was #5 in the country; 2005 was #6; 2006 was #13; 2007 was #12; and 2008 was #10. There was hardly a "bare cupboard" in Ann Arbor when RichRod arrived.
daveeb;1299359; said:
RichRod needs a big year next year. His recruiting has been average at best for Michigan this year. He needs to win 8 or 9 games and he needs to bring in more 4 star recruits than 3 star recruits.
RichRod's recruiting will be "average" because he recruits guys for his system, and not for their inherent talent. It's a questionable strategy that can work at places like West Virginia in a conference like the Big East ... but we'll see whether it works at Michigan in the Big Ten. IMHO, RichRod is playing a dangerous game when it comes to recruiting.
The more disturbing thing about RichRod's recruiting is his tendency to ignore things like "academics" and "character". During Carr's final years, the image of the "Michigan Man" became tarnished ... under RichRod, that term will become a parody. You can say a lot of negative things about Charlie Weis, but at least he's recruiting the "right kind of kids" to Notre Dame and running a respectable program in South Bend ... the same cannot be said for RichRod.
bucknutz;1298485; said:
being the piece of shit he is, he will probably bolt for an NFL job.
The NFL isn't particularly interested in college coaches, and particularly isn't interested in RichRod and his gimmick offense. Some second-tier program (think Illinois and Ron Zook) will hire him after he implodes in Ann Arbor.
Bucklion;1299309; said:
They have to stick with him to save face (the embarassment of the lawsuit makes them look like stoooopid-fucks if they fire him now), but only to a point. I don't think next year matters, but if they get to year 3 and are noticing some Gerry Faustian tendencies, he's a goner.
Are you saying that Michigan made a Faustian bargain with RichRod?