Rich Rodriguez will Face Ultimatum in Year Three

Let's think about the word improvement. Teams are always looking to improve from what they were the year before, even title-winning teams want to improve.

The Detroit Lions were 8-8 in 2000 and were looking to improve when they brought in new General Manager Matt Millen.

The Michigan Wolverines were 8-4 in 2006 and looking to improve when they brought in new head coach Rich Rodriguez.

Yes, I just compared our Michigan Wolverines to the Detroit Lions. That is how far this program has fallen. I can't think of any better way to accentuate the point.

Sometimes even the best plans backfire.

The team wasn't bad, by any means when Rich Rodriguez was hired, but they weren't elite either. Rodriguez was brought in to make this program elite again.

We knew it would be a process, we knew there would be bumps in the road, we knew it would be frustrating at times, but did anyone really expect this ?

This of course, is a 3-9 season, the worst season in Michigan history, followed up by what will surely be a 5-7 season, among the worst in Michigan history. Two consecutive bowl-less seasons for the first time since 1973-74, and one of the worst defenses in the nation, two years in a row.

You could write a book on all the lows this program has hit in the last two years.

Perhaps most surprising of all, is that Greg Robinson, a man with a rock solid reputation as a defensive guru has completely failed in every sense of the word.

This defense is horrendous. If it isn't the worst defense in the nation, its close to it. When you give up 367 rushing yards to Purdue, you have no credibility at all.

In fact, this was the second consecutive game that Michigan has allowed over 300 yards rushing on them.

It was the third consecutive game, their opponent has scored at least 35 points, and fifth time this season that Michigan has allowed over 30 points.

In my previous article I compared the 2008 and 2009 defenses but I am realizing that this defense is bolstered by a game against Delaware State. So let's re-evaluate.

I am eliminating Miami, Ohio and Toledo from 2008, and Western Michigan, Eastern Michigan, and Delaware State from 2009 for comparisons sake.Those are pushover opponents and I aim to measure Michigan's defense against quality opponents.

The 2008 team gave up an average of 32.8 points per game. This year's team has given up 33.4 points per game.

Our defense has actually gotten worse with Greg Robinson leading it. How in the world is that even possible?

The offense has improved, which is good, but you could have the best offense in the nation. If your defense is horrible, you won't win any games.

How many rushing yards will Wisconsin rack up? How many points will Ohio State score? When will the embarrassment stop?

Not for another year at least.

As much as Rich Rodriguez deserves to be fired and run out of town for his debacle, firing him now only sets the program back.

You would have to bring in a new coach and implement another new system, and watch another flood of players transfer out of the program. It just isn't worth it yet.

So Rodriguez will get another year to prove his point before his head on a platter is called for. However my standards are high, as they should be. Michigan has high standards.

Rodriguez knew what he was getting into when he became coach of the Wolverines. He knew this was the winningest program of all time, he knew about the streak of bowl games, the streak of winning seasons, the greatness of Michigan.

And he has let Michigan down immensely.

Simply making a bowl game in 2010 does not correct this disaster. Michigan must play in a BCS bowl next year or Rodriguez's tenure was a complete and utter failure.

It gets a little complicated if the team turns in an 8-4 season and it would depend who the wins were against, but I stand firm that 8-4 would not erase what has already been done to this program.

Lloyd Carr was run out of town by an angry contingent of fans for going 8-4.

I'll conclude this rant by addressing the loud supporters of Rich Rodriguez. For everyone saying "He's implementing a new system, that takes time!" and "You can't expect great things in his first two seasons!" I point to Georgia Tech.

Paul Johnson came into Georgia Tech before the 2008 season with a new system and had to replace ten starters on defense. That team went 9-4. His team is currently 9-1 this year, first place in the ACC with wins over then No. 4 Virginia Tech and a ranked North Carolina team.

It can be done. 

Hopefully Rich Rodriguez is paying attention and feeling the heat, and hopefully Michigan president Mary Sue-Coleman and the new athletic director, whoever that may be, are also paying attention.

If Rodriguez misses a third straight bowl game in 2010 and is still retained, the heat will be re-directed at the people above him.