Finally: Rich Rodriguez Shows Some Emotion

At UM's football post-season banquet, The menu was potatoes, carrots, braised beef (or chicken with cream sauce) and whine...provided by the head coach. There was also dancing by the team and coach to tunes by Josh Groben. Truly sounds like a magical night.

Late in the night, Roy Roundtree commented* on the event saying, "Unlike Purdue, this wasn't boring. What we saw tonight is the reason I came to Michigan."

Jovial RichRod

Enthusiastic RichRod

Suspicious RichRod

Supportive RichRod

Theatrical RichRod

Concerned RichRod

Pensive RichRod

Content RichRod

Nauseous RichRod

Cockshur RichRod

*Roundtree might or might not have said it...but he thought it.

UM Predicto

Tim says:
How many more ways can you say "Things don't look good this week." Against like opponents Purdue lost to Notre Dame and Illinois, while Michigan beat both of those teams. Purdue scored 22 points against those teams, while Michigan dropped 95 (albeit with a 3 OT game in there). No matter how you look at it, Purdue has not played well this year. Michigan is in the top 10 in the nation in rushing yards, #12 in points for, and #28 in passing yards. Their obvious weakness is the defense. I don't think Purdue has the tools to exploit that defense though. I expect to see a heavy dose of Denard Robinson, to the tune of 300+ yards of offense himself. In other words, nearly as many yards than the Purdue team.

Michigan 38
Purdue 13

J says:

Purdue has averaged less than 8 points per game in their last three games. Michigan scores...lots. Let's say Purdue triples their avg output for the past three games...that's maybe 24 points. Can the Boiler D hold Michigan to less than that? I don't think so. No matter what, though, I think this game will be tight at the half. The question is whether Purdue can maintain the intensity for four quarters. Against my instincts, I'm going to say they do. The Boilers know they need this game if they're going to keep bowl hope alive.

Purdue 29
Michigan 28

boilerdowd says:
If you listened to the HH, you know where I stand on this. Sure, UM's defense is deplorable. BUT, our Alma Mater's offense is still so green, that if they were running the offense against a walk-through defense, I don't think they could score 60+ in 60 minutes...and there's the rub. Michigan has only scored 17 or fewer points once this season, and has scored more than 28 points in every other contest...Purdue, conversely, has scored under 17 points 4 times and only scored over 28 points twice. Who know what might have been for Purdue's offense...but what's happening now is this offense just doesn't seem to be geared up for a shoot-out.

This one doesn't feel like an impossible win, but it doesn't feel too likely. Like last week, Purdue should be in this, or in the lead...for a half.

Michigan 35
Purdue 24

To Your Call Once More We Rally;
Alma Mater Hear Our Praise.
Where The Wabash Spreads Its Valley;
Filled With Joy Our Voices Raise.
From The Skies In Swelling Echoes
Come The Cheers That Tell The Tale
Of Your Vict'ries And Your Heros,
Hail Purdue! We Sing All Hail!

Hail, Hail To Old Purdue!
All Hail To Our Old Gold And Black!
Hail, Hail To Old Purdue!
Our Friendship May She Never Lack.
Ever Grateful, Ever True,
Thus We Raise Our Song Anew;
Of The Days We've Spent With You,
All Hail Our Own Purdue!

Way To Stay On Point, Rich

Well, Rich Rodriguez' little tantrum is working, as bloggers and national media alike are beginning to discuss the "bad blood" brewing between Rodriguez and Danny Hope. It's also entertaining to see others saying this was low-class on Danny Hope's part while it's okay for Rich Rodriguez, during his press conference, to whine about it like a little lady. Seriously, tuck in your skirt, Rich, and toughen up a little bit.

For those not in the know...

One of Rich's players got suspended back in September after throwing a punch in their game against Notre Dame. Rich then drew attention to a Zach Reckman late hit at the end of the NIU game and he got his way and the league suspended Reckman a game. And Coach Hope wasn't happy about it.

Now, for the record, I was bothered by Reckman's late hit at the end of the NIU game. I thought it was uncalled for and I did indeed think it was malicious. But it was fairly harmless and was not a punch. And, get this, it had nothing AT ALL to do with the football team Rich Rodriguez coaches! So rather than worrying about Purdue-NIU happenings, he should have been worried about what punches his thugs were throwing.

Fast forward to today's win and after the game Danny Hope introduced Rich to Reckman and "thanked" him (Rodriguez) for what he did, obviously sarcastically. Hope and Rodriguez clearly threw some words back and forth after the little interaction and that was that.

That is, until Rich got pissy during his press conference today and brought up the exchange for all to hear. Well, his version of things, anyway, which shockingly paints him in the aw-shucks innocent light. And, of course, he stated had nothing to do with Reckman getting suspended.

You know, Rich, if you're going to sling arrows, at least be man enough to acknowledge you damn well did have something to do with it. Otherwise, you're just a coward.

I don't like Hope doing what he did today. Let's make that clear. I don't like players seeing that behavior and thinking that's the proper way to act. I do, however, like how loyal Hope is to his guys. It may not turn out to be a good thing in the end, but it's the kind of thing that gets guys to play hard for you. Sometimes this is what comes from guys who are emotional and more invested in a team than most of us can understand.

During Rodriguez' press conference, I actually began to feel a little bad for him, as he squirmed through all the questions and looked genuinely pained. And then he acted like a schoolgirl who'd had her pig tails pulled on the bus... and any sympathy I had for this clown went right out the window.

Was Hope in the right? No, most likely he was not. But is Rodriguez in the right, bringing this up during a postgame press conference where he should be focusing on his 1-5 conference record and how to win games?

Hey, Michigan backers, if you want to hitch your wagon to this story, go ahead. But if you do, your head is buried deep.

Slap on the Wrist coming for Wolverines?

It's being reported that Rodriguez & Co. might have been bending the rules this summer...While I'm not naive-enough to believe anything serious would come to one of the NCAA cash cows, I do believe there might be some sort of public humiliation in the town square for UM...We'll see. Regardless, this isn't good news for the snakeoil salesman.

Addendum: Just watched the SC highlights of the presser- looks like Rodriguez is near the breaking point....and this seems like something that is an easy out for UM's athletic department if UM doesn't get double-digit wins. I think there will be much more from this story.

(Thanks to Shawn and Boilerbuzztap for the heads up)

BS Capsule Previews: Michigan Wolverines

Over the next few weeks, we'll be providing a quick-hit, uninformed, uneducated, poorly-researched capsule preview of each Big Ten football team (you know, kind of like typical reporters). Why spend time bringing in guests who actually know something about these other schools when we can just make knee-jerk comments and predictions, with heavy bias based on our love of Boilermaker sports? Enjoy.

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Michigan

Last year: 3-9 Overall, 2-6 Big Ten
Vs. Boilermakers: Lost 48-42

UM has had a rather, let’s say, rocky transition to new head coach Rich Rodriguez. Of course, four-loss Lloyd overstayed his welcome a bit, even by UM supporters own admission. One would assume that’s the only reason they’re still trying to look ahead and not longing for the days of cuddly Lloyd Carr.

Last season, Michigan struggled through their worst season in several decades. However, among their three victories were ones over then #9 Wisconsin on September 27 and a bowl-bound Minnesota team on November 8. The Minny win was just a week after losing a shootout to the Boilers in West Lafayette. Is it indicative of Michigan’s potential or how secretly bad Minnesota really was?

Michigan’s football program has continued to have problems, with further linemen transfers and other dismissals from the team. Still, there are many who believe once RichRod gets his guys in place and his system rolling, this will be a program to be feared once again. It seems doubtful, though, that this season is that year.

Looking at the schedule, one has to think things could get ugly again.

September 5 Western Michigan
September 12 Notre Dame
September 19 Eastern Michigan
September 26 Indiana
October 3 at Michigan State
October 10 at Iowa
October 17 Delaware State
October 24 Penn State
October 31 at Illinois
November 7 Purdue
November 14 at Wisconsin
November 21 Ohio State

This isn’t exactly a murderer’s row schedule, but it’s not completely peppered with tasty cupcakes, either. Western Michigan was a 9-win team last year, Notre Dame is ranked (fo’ real!) and then there’s the regular spate of tough Big Ten tests.

If Michigan IS going to surprise people, this schedule sets up nicely for that, I think. The first four games are all at home and, honestly, are all winnable. In fact, I imagine UM would be disappointed if they don’t have a 3-1 start. And would that begin to get attention? It just might.

However, if they go 2-2 or worse, or get humbled by Pickles Clausen in their own house, well, then things go from bad to worse and the 2009 death spiral begins. Is this the season programs like Purdue see reasons not to fear going to the Big House? Perhaps.

Best case: 8-4. With those first four winnable home games, it’s conceivable that people are calling RichRod a genius after the first month. Tough road tests at MSU and Iowa follow back to back, but even chalking up losses there, the season’s not a goner.

Worst case: 3-9. Yes, last year could happen all over again. As mentioned, the death spiral begins if those first four games go poorly.

Our prediction: 5-7. It’s hard to see them coming up with more than two victories after those first four. So even a 3-1 start leads to just false hope and a second-consecutive non-bowling season.