Michigan was routed 38-13 last weekend, by an Illinois team with a 1-6 record. The catastrophic loss dropped the Wolverines to 1-4 in the Big Ten. Michigan went five weeks in October without defeating a Division 1 opponent. What was an apparent leap forward has become further disappointment.
Alumni are understandably antsy. Rich Rodriguez does deserve blame, but calling for his ouster is premature. It would be more detrimental at this juncture.
Rodriguez was hired for his offense, which has been more effective this year. Turnovers have plagued Michigan (more than two per game), but every quarterback the past two years has been either a freshman or a walk-on. That and the atrocious offensive line should improve through experience and recruiting.
Michigan’s real concern is their defense.
Talent is a factor. Michigan’s defensive recruiting has been lean. Even when Michigan has brought in recruits, they have struggled to keep them. Michigan has just 58 percent of their defensive recruits from 2005 to 2009 on the team, compared with 78 percent at Ohio St. and 84 percent at Notre Dame. Michigan has a total of 28 defenders compared to 46 at tOSU.
Many players who have stayed have not developed as expected. That’s understandable with three different defensive coordinators the past three seasons.
Rodriguez’ initial hire, Scott Shafer, was a predictable disaster. Upon arrival he confidently declared “scheme is overrated,” stressing the platitudes of “great effort, great attitude and great enthusiasm.”
That’s like a builder saying, “engineering is overrated.” We’re going to construct this bridge “with good intentions and old fashioned elbow grease.” His spiel is up there with Rod Marinelli’s “Get Low” and Charlie Weis’ “decided schematic advantage.”
While Shafer was terrible, it’s not clear Greg Robinson has been better. Michigan’s talent deficiencies have been exacerbated by overloaded blitzes and over-pursuit. The Wolverines have allowed at least 30 points to every Division 1 team outside the state of Michigan.
Robinson skulks the sidelines with a delicate genius reputation gleamed from one season of work at Texas in 2004. He wears a different uniform than the other assistants, presumably because he was a former head coach. In what world is going 3-25 in the Big East a merit badge?
Michigan has long-term troubles that can only be solved with experience and improved talent. Changing systems again only sets the program back further.
There will be more growing pains, more acrimony and, yes, more losses. Michigan fans must realize Bo Schembechler is not walking onto that field. Rich Rodriguez must realize that is the field Bo Schembechler walked onto.
