Rich Rodriguez: 2010 His Final Debut?

It's January 2010, and the predictions are already being made concerning Michigan head coach Rich Rodriguez.

In fact, Mark Schlabach of ESPN.com predicted just this morning that it will be either Miles or Harbaugh who will return the program to national prominence.

Either way, Rodriguez won't be around to take the glory. 

Everyone that loves and follows Michigan football knows that there are two camps that have formed among Michigan football fans, and both sides have their opinions about Rodriguez's performance in Ann Arbor since his arrival.

The first camp is the the so-called "Old Guard." These are the fans who are disgusted that Michigan has not played in a bowl game the past two years.

They are tired of the negative headlines. They are tired of the excuses. They are tired of watching a team that seems to get worse as the season drags on.

They are angry at a coach that seemed to have sacrificed two seasons in order to put his system in place.

They are tired of seeing the recruitment of tiny three-star athletes to play football in the rough and tough Big 10.

Most of all, they are tired of the arrogance and finger-pointing at former coach Loyd Carr.

Members of the Old Guard have smiles on their faces right now, with the hiring of David Brandon as the new Athletic Director. 

To them, Brandon is a true "Michigan Man," and they are poised for him to make a change next fall if the Wolverines win fewer than seven games.

On the other hand, Rodriguez does have his supporters.

They know that a new offensive system takes time and a different type of player than Michigan fans are used to.

They know that Rodriguez inherited a team that lost some great athletes and the recruits behind them were, frankly, not that good.

They know that the players who transferred were not loyal and did not want to work hard.

They ask for patience and reflect upon Rich Rod's performance at West Virginia.

They know that Michigan has landed two good recruiting classes since Rod's arrival.

They know that recruiting stars are about as reliable as the French during a time of crisis.

They know that the 2011 season will be Rod's proof that he is indeed a true Michigan Man as the Wolverines make a run at the national championship.

They know that both Miles or Harbaugh will also require three years of foundation-laying, and that a new coach will not be a quick fix like Saban's at Alabama.

With all of this in mind, the final question is: Will 2010 season be Rod's final debut?

It is hard to tell at this point. Both sides, however, want the same outcome in 2010. They want the Wolverines to return to respectability on a national level and in the conference.

The key for 2010 will be the defensive performance in a conference that should be loaded next year.

It is true that Michigan's defense will be young. That is both good and bad news for next year.

It is good news for the future of Michigan football.

It could could be, however, bad news for the future of Rich Rodriguez at the helm.

If the Wolverines fail to win seven games and make to a bowl game next year, then it appears the Old Guard may have their wish in November 2010.