Rich Rodriguez and Michigan: 10 Opponents Who Wish He Hadn't Been Fired

Rich Rodriguez was mercifully fired as head coach of the Michigan Wolverines yesterday.

Athletic director David Brandon virtually had no choice, as college football's former hottest coach on the market didn't exactly live up to the hype.

Rodriguez was 15-22 in his three-year tenure, including a 6-18 Big Ten mark and an 11-11 mark in Ann Arbor.

Michigan also struggled mightily in rivalry games against the Ohio State Buckeyes, Michigan State Spartans and Penn State Nittany Lions.

But while many Michigan fans may be happy that RichRod is leaving, there are some schools who might not be.

Here are 10 opponents that are wishing Brandon didn't give Rodriguez the ax.

Indiana Hoosiers

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BLOOMINGTON, IN - NOVEMBER 01: Tandon Doss #81 of the Indiana Hooisers celebrates on the field during the game against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Memorial Stadium on November 1, 2008 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Indiana has struggled mightily in the Big Ten of late—its 12-game conference losing streak was finally snapped in its last game—but the Hoosiers haven't been all that bad against RichRod.  Their two losses to Michigan were by a combined 10 points.

The Hoosiers don't play Michigan the next two seasons—but they'd assuredly like to see a Rodriguez team sometime in the future.

Wisconsin Badgers

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PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Running back John Clay #32 of the Wisconsin Badgers rushes with the ball against the TCU Horned Frogs in the fourth quarter of the 97th Rose Bowl game on January 1, 2011 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Im

RichRod's 2008 Wolverines squad actually beat then-No. 9 Wisconsin, but since then, Wisconsin has won their last two meetings by a combined 41 points

With Wisconsin surging, they'd be pretty happy to see RichRod still in town, since their physical style presents a tough matchup for Rodriguez's small, speedy players.

Michigan State Spartans

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IOWA CITY, IA - OCTOBER 30: Michigan State Spartans head coach Mark Dantonio looks on from the sidelines during play against the University of Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium on October 30, 2010 in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa won 37-6 over Michigan State. (Pho

Michigan State has long been considered Michigan's "little brother" to Maize and Blue faithful.

But the Spartans are 3-0 against Michigan since Rodriguez arrived.

Illinois Fighting Illini

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 20: Mikel Leshoure #5 of the Illinois Fighting Illini runs on his way to a 339 yard rushing performance against the Northwestern Wildcats during a game played at Wrigley Field on November 20, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. Illinois defeated

The Illini lost a 67-65 triple-OT thriller to Michigan this year, but are 2-1 against Rodriguez.

Even though this year's loss was especially disappointing, Illinois got some national publicity for putting up 65 points on RichRod's defense.

Northwestern Wildcats

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EVANSTON, IL - OCTOBER 23: Head coach Pat Fitzgerald of the Northwestern Wildcats encourages his team takes on the Michigan State Spartans at Ryan Field on October 23, 2010 in Evanston, Illinois. Michigan State defeated Northwestern 35-27. (Photo by Jona

Northwestern football—despite recent improvement—isn't exactly the household name that Michigan football is.

But the Wildcats are 1-0 against RichRod.

Iowa Hawkeyes

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TEMPE, AZ - DECEMBER 28: Head coach Kirk Ferentz of the Iowa Hawkeyes celebrates with the Insight Bowl trophy after defeating the Missouri Tigers at Sun Devil Stadium on December 28, 2010 in Tempe, Arizona. The Hawkeyes defeated the Tigers 27-24. (Pho

Kirk Ferentz is a perfect 2-0 against Rodriguez, but the Wolverines have given the Hawkeyes some tests, the two games by only 12 points.

Iowa would certainly be confident to face Rodriguez again, but maybe not as confident as some other teams on the list.

Purdue Boilermakers

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

COLUMBUS, OH - OCTOBER 23: Quarterback Rob Henry #15 of the Purdue Boilermakers runs with the ball against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Purdue is one of the lesser teams in the Big Ten, but is 2-1 against Michigan under Rodriguez, nearly beating the Wolverines this season without its starting quarterback, and its second-stringer banged up.

The Boilermakers are scheduled to play the Wolverines each of the next two seasons.

I'm sure they're upset at the news of RichRod's firing.

Penn State Nittany Lions

Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 1: Coach Joe Paterno of the Penn State Nittany Lions directs play against the Florida Gators January 1, 2011 in the 25th Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

JoePa is 3-0 against RichRod.

Penn State has won those three games by a combined 64 points.

Ohio State Buckeyes

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: Head coach Jim Tressel of the Ohio State Buckeyes smiles after the Buckeyes 31-26 victory against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana

Jim Tressel is 3-0 head-to-head against RichRod, winning the three games by a combined 76 points.

I'm sure the Buckeyes would have been happy to face Rodriguez's teams for another few years.

Nebraska Cornhuskers

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ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 04: Quarterback Taylor Martinez #3 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers drops back to pass against the Oklahoma Sooners during the Big 12 Championship at Cowboys Stadium on December 4, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/

Nebraska hasn't had the pleasure of facing Rodriguez, but the newest Big Ten member probably would be happy if he stayed.

Taylor Martinez would have carved up RichRod's porous defense, and the Blackshirts would have had as good of a chance as anyone to slow down Denard Robinson.

 Matt Rudnitsky is a student at the University of Michigan and a Featured Columnist/writing intern at Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Mattrud.