Spartan Nation 2010 Big Ten Football Scouting Report: Michigan Wolverines

 

Will the Wolverines get over the hump in 2010 and get back to Michigan's winning ways?

Biggest Game:Â October 4 UCONN

Predicted record:Â 5-7

Projected Big Ten standing: 8th      

Returning Starters: 15 OFFENSE: 7  DEFENSE:  8   Lettermen return: 53    

Head Coach: Rich MROD Rodriguez 3rd Season at UM Last Season: 5-7 SN Predicted 5-7 Lifetime: 68-42 

Top assistant:Â Greg Robinson DC

I said last season that M Rod would not be back at UM for this season. Had the NCAA not widened their investigation to include WVU (thus lengthening the process) he would have already been found guilty of major violations and been canned in my opinion.

Those findings should come during this season and this will be his last season in Ann Arbor. Make no mistake, I like him. The administration knew at the time that to make the move to his system it would be four years. He didn’t hide that. It makes no difference. 

The offense is finally taking shape, but the D will struggle this year. If this team overachieves I expect MROD canned before the season is over. That would allow UM to not be forced to keep him by fans wanting him to stay. That is predicated on him being found guilty of major violations, which is expected. If he struggles they will probably let the season drag on and make the move at the end of the year.

Some Spartans have a blind hatred of M Rod, but I can tell you that I like him personally and have since he was at WVU. There are a lot of things that were against him behind the scenes, and frankly it is sad. Not the on the field struggle, but the behind the scenes problems that he has faced.

The Wolverines could beat Notre Dame, but having to play them on the road I give the edge to the Irish. I said that the UCONN game is the biggest of the year and here is why. The Huskies come in with their best team ever and are used to big games on the road and winning them. Obviously, the MSU game is a monster, but if they lose to UCONN their season is done in week one.

September 4 UCONN LOSS

September 11 @Notre Dame LOSS

September 18 Massachusetts WIN

September 25 Bowling Green WIN

October 2 @Indiana WIN

October 9 MSU LOSS

October 16 Iowa LOSS

October 30 PSU LOSS

November 6 Illinois WIN

November 13 @Purdue WIN

November 20 Wisconsin LOSS

November 27 @Ohio State LOSS