I think Michigan would have preferred to find the next Jim Tressel (Div 1AA) or the next Bo (MAC) but none of the coaches in those ranks warranted the risk. Michigan has embarked on major facilities upgrade including licensed seating in Michigan Stadium and can't risk a Gerry Faust experiment (I know he was high school).

How well will Michigan do? It's hard to tell. Most people figured Urban Meyer would be a success at Florida but did many of us think Pete Carroll would be as successful as he has been? And so far Nick Saban hasn't lived up to early expectations at 'Bama.

The 2 most important moves Rodriguez needs to make is get an outstanding Defensive Coordinator and figure out who will play QB next year. Ryan Mallett actually is more mobile than people think but right now he is a potential head case...was emotionally erratic during this season and now his dad is saying he may transfer. If Michigan gets a commitment from the 6-5 kid from Pennsylvania,    Mallett is gone and we will be dealing with a true frosh running the spread offense (think Juice Williams last year at Illinois).

I haven't looked at the defensive coordinator from WVU and would love to hear your comments. I will say it is almost a sure thing, Michigan's defense will be better against spread offenses as they will be facing it every day in practice! This alone is good news for UM.

For the rest of the conference? Short term good news for the rest of the league, next year is a good chance to catch Michigan in a state of flux. In addition to Ohio State, several other schools improved their chances at a Big Ten title and/or a January 1 bowl game. Longer term, it could be painful for many teams. Michigan is upping it facilities and spending more money on its coaches..translation, better recruiting and competitive coaching and expectations of 11-1 not 9-3 or 8-4.

More later along with Bowl predictions.

 

What did you think of this article?

Liked
Disliked
No Opinion