Spartan Nation 2008 Big Ten Football Scouting Report: University of Michigan
Spartan Nation 2008 scouting report:Â University of Michigan
Biggest Game:Â October 25 MSU @ The Big House
Predicted record:Â 7-5 (4-4)
Projected Big Ten standing: 5th    Â
Returning Starters:Â OFFENSE:Â 3Â DEFENSE:Â 7 Lettermen return:Â 45Â Â Â
Head Coach:Â Rich (M ROD) Rodriguez 1st Season at UM Last Season 9-4 Lifetime 60-26
Top assistant:Â DC Scott Shafer
This analysis will not be well received by some members of the Spartan Nation. The hire of M Rod by the Wolverines was a very good thing for them. He is a smart football coach. He was always able to take less talented players and get more from them at WVU.
He now comes to UM where they have consistently gotten less from more. He has shown early signs of being in a place where he can recruit nationally. M Rod’s biggest battles will not be on the field. It will be among the upper parts of the UM football program.  By the rank and file fans he has been very well received. Unfortunately for him he has struggled to get support from the “Insider†groups that are close to the program. They will have him on a short leash. What I mean by that is they will apply pressure often and early on the administration if he doesn’t live up to their standards. Sadly Carr didn’t often get what he should have and although the fan based screamed they tolerated it. Now comes a long a coach who doesn’t give a rip about their social circles.Â
 M Rod will not play the games. They will either like him or not, but he won’t change. He has already lost multiple players that “screamed†about a lack of family values. The issue at hand was that a new strength and conditioning coach has come in and the UM country club days are over. M Rod watched a lot of tape and noticed early that the Wolverines where in poor shape and that few where as dedicated to off the field, as they needed to be.
Those that stay has long been a motto of the UM program. Perhaps it is more true not than at any time. This is going to be a very difficult season for the corn and blue. Their biggest game is against the Spartans. The Spartans are all over the Wolverines in the recruiting wars and Mark Dantonio not only needs a win in year two for a myriad of reasons, but I think this is the year he will get it. If UM can win that game, it may slow the momentum that the Spartans are gaining.
Very few times in a lifetime can a rival gain momentum and gain ground. In fact, the Spartans have liked being called little brother, but in all honesty MSU has been more of an annoyance than a rival.
OSU has clearly pulled away and MSU wants to follow suit. In my opinion the biggest battle M Rod will fight is internally. Very similar to what JLS encountered at MSU. The problem is that Lloyd Carr left the cupboard bear on offense and the defense could be the highlight.
One thing that all UM fans need to look at is the last game of last season. UM crushed the Florida Gators and Lloyd Carr switched to a lot of spread offense for the game. Looking at the talent he had (and lost this season) it had to make honest Wolverines angry at his stubborn refusal to do more of that in his tenure, but also frustrated that many of the athletes Carr used against the Gators are gone.
This is a rebuilding season, but don’t tell the nay Sayers looking for any excuse to bury M Rod that. Losses to OSU, MSU, Wisconsin, Notre Dame and Penn State will make for a long year.
The good news is that if they stick with M Rod UM football could be on the road to some great years. If they don’t then the UM football program will have to be rebuilt. Either way, UM football is at a crossroads. It has been years since a roster was so poor for not only the scheme, but simply based on talent. This team will get to seven wins with less. Give Lloyd this roster and UM would have had five wins.
M Rod is a better coach, if he gets the time to show it UM will be a force in a few years. If I had to bet, knowing what I know I don’t think he’ll get the time.
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