I'm a RichRod convert.
There, I've said it. After three of the worst years in the history of college football's most storied program, I think the best course may very well be to keep Rich Rodriguez as head coach. There was an interesting discussion about this between the TV play-by-play guys (one of whom was former Michigan quarterback Brian Griese) during the Illinois-Michigan game on Saturday. They talked about how RichRod was something of a genius when it comes to putting together an offense, and how in just three years he's turned Michigan's offense into an explosive powerhouse. After all, on the first play of the game Michigan QB Denard Robinson hit receiver Roy Roundtree on a 75-yard pass play for a touchdown. Do you risk losing that because the defense sucks (and it truly does suck)? Or do you shake things up below the head coach level instead? Ron Zook did it at Illinois, and turned his team around, particularly on defense. Being good TV commentators, they never did state a conclusion, but I think they were on the right track.
I love what RichRod has done for the Michigan offense. Under previous coaches, our offense has been plodding and predictable, if powerful. Opposing teams always knew exactly what Michigan was going to do, and Michigan was fine with that. We were going to smash that ball into our opponents' faces, and let them stop us if they could. Usually they couldn't, but more and more in recent years, our offense came up short. Under Rodriguez, we are racking up yards and points like they are on sale at Costco. It's fun to watch. Really fun.
The problem is, the defense is allowing the opposing teams to match us point for point. We put up 67 points against Illinois, but they scored 65 points against us. And that's been the pattern regardless of the opponent, whether it's a strong team like Iowa or a weak team like UMass. So the problem is the defense, without a doubt, and that means Greg Robinson, the defensive coordinator, must go. We can argue back and forth about injuries, and inexperience, and whether previous head coach Lloyd Carr "left the cupboard bare," but that won't change anything. In two years, Robinson hasn't produced any measurable improvement on defense. If anything, we look worse this year than last. Someone has to take the fall, and given how great the offense looks, that someone has to be Robinson.
Aside from what I've said above about RichRod, here's something else I really like about him -- he's not afraid to take chances on offense. Going for it on 4th down instead of punting or trying a field goal, that's unheard of at Michigan. Lloyd Carr would sooner eat raw donkey entrails than go for it on 4th and long. RichRod does it frequently, and his gambles usually pay off. Now, some of this is necessity, because our field goal kickers suck, but I give RichRod points for gutsiness.
Here's what I don't like about RichRod. One, since he arrived there have been problems with compliance with NCAA regulations. That shouldn't happen at Michigan, and he better understand it. I think he's gotten the message. Two, our special teams, and in particular our field goal kickers, suck. We need to get that turned around pronto. Three, he's a bit of a spaz. Maybe he's normal, but he just looks like a spaz because his predecessor was so buttoned-down. Even so, he isn't Bo, and therefore he hasn't earned the right to be a spaz...yet.
Here's what I'd like to see over the remaining games this season:
1. Defense, naturally
2. Better special teams play
3. Fewer turnovers
4. Lots more Stephan Hopkins. This guy is a 235-lb bruiser of a running back, and he rarely gets the ball. Against Illinois, he had 5 carries for 45 yards, including a touchdown and a 32-yard scamper. He should be in there on any short-yardage down. This guy running downhill will punish defenses. Oh, and he's a freshman. So give him the ball.
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