Wolverine Wednesday: A Memo to RR

November 4, 2009

To: Coach Rich Rodriguez
From: BHB

Dear Coach,
How are things? That 4-0 start seems like a long time ago, doesn't it? Your team is sitting here today with a 5-4 record with three games left. You need at least one win to go to a bowl game (even if it's in downtown Detroit - btw: would you leave two weeks early to go to Detroit? never mind).

I know things have been difficult this week after getting blown out by Penn State at home and then losing on the road to the worst team in the Big Ten. Heck, even Charles Woodson said yesterday that the Wolverines are hard to watch. He is right.

I know you focus on the future and not the past like that monkey in the Lion King, but I have a feeling the pressure is getting to you and your players. They seem to be playing tight and not as loose as were at the beginning of the year. Sure injuries and cold weather might come it play for those guys from San Diego or Florida but the competition really hasn't gotten any better and the team has regressed on both sides of the ball.

So enough of that negative talk, I have a solution to all your problems. Win the last 3 remaining games. I know it will be difficult/next to impossible but stay with me here and I will walk you through it.


Step 1: Beat Purdue on Saturday. I know they beat The Vest, but you can beat these guys if you play a little defense and get a bit more consistent on offense. If you do this, you will have reached one of the season's goals which is a bowl game. That should be enough motivation for you and the team.


Step 2: Ok, hopefully step 1 was successful. Now you have to head to Wisconsin for a cold difficult game against a physical team that plays a traditional offense and defense. This is where you bring out that "special sauce" that you used last year for the Minnesota game. The spread could work against these guys if you can stop their run game. (side note: before the game go up to the press box and check the eye sight of the old geezer in the replay booth, if he thinks your Tony Orlando, take him to the local Lenscrafters and get him fitted for a new pair of eye glasses. It only takes an hour and worth the $150). Win this game by a point or two and then get on the bus and get the heck out of there.


Step 3: This is going to be a hard one isn't it. Pryor's first trip to the Big House and the young Michigan offense against a very good Ohio State defense. The boys will be ready to play in this one and we know Michigan can stay in the game if they play sound football. (side note: Fly John Cooper up for this game and give him a field pass - it couldn't hurt right? :))

What do you think? Do we have a plan here? Everyone will forget about Illinois if you can win out and be 8-4. 9 out 10 Michigan fans would have taken that record if it was offered to them in August. You will have beaten ND, OSU and had a better overall record that MSU. Your team would have started 4-0 and finished 3-0. You might even find yourself in Orlando at the "Champs Bowl". Not too bad right?

Enjoy practice this week and btw: please don't finish 5-7 that would be really really bad.

P.S. Getting Seantrel Henderson to come to Michigan would also help.


Thank you,
Your friends at Big House Blog