Ann Arbor, Mi–
A lot can be said about Rich Rodriguez’s first two years at the University of Michigan. Not a lot of that is going to be good. Yes, Michigan is 3-10 overall in the Big Ten. Its true that Michigan has lost all but one rivalry game to this point.
There have been people questioning him every time he scratches his nose. Its true that winning is how a coach should be measured. The question then becomes is this as good as it will get. My opinion, supported by a few facts, is, “I don’t think so.” This team is loaded with 18 and 19 year old kids that fill up a lot of the depth chart. And yet the offense has improved from a meager 290.8 ypg last season to 401.4 ypg this year. Plus they are scoring 11 more points per game jumping from 20.2 to 31.6. Yes, they have lost four of their last five games. If you go back and look at those games they are one score away from winning two of them. Had they scored from the one against Illinois and taken a 20-7 lead and kept the momentum, they may have even won that game. Unfortunately that wasn’t the case. Which brings us to the purpose of this article. How BLUE are you? Some of the worst critics out there are people that claim to be Michigan fans. Those people wear the colors, watch the games, and are the first ones to chime in with, “I told you so” when something goes wrong. Would you really rather be the guy that can say, “I knew it was going to end up like this?“ Or do you want to be able to say, “my character has been tested, my loyalty has been questioned, and through all the adversity I’ve stayed true blue.”
My friends, now is the time that we should be rallying behind the team and Rich Rodriguez. These boys work as hard as anybody to come out and represent the maize and blue to the best of their ability. I recently learned of a true freshman that gained 65 pounds on his bench press. This is a kid that is fully aware that he won’t see the field, as he was red-shirted for this season. Imagine how hard the starters work if a kid this dedicated doesn’t make the two-deep. When I was young I was taught that being a Michigan fan was like being a part of a really big family.
That being said, it’s time that we accept the fact that Rich Rodriguez is in fact the head coach for OUR Michigan Wolverines. The success of this team and future teams to come, is directly tied to Coach Rodriguez and his staff. Therefore, we should decide to support this team because it’s the same team, wearing the same helmets, running out of the same tunnel, screaming the same fight song, that we‘ve grown up cheering. Hail to the Victors
By Matt Bott new writer for mgobluefootball.com
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{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Great article Matt!!! Well done and so true!!!!
Nice job Matt! I look forward to reading your next article.
Perfectly stated Matt!!! FANtastic article!! I couldn’t be more proud to be a Wolverine fan!! GO BLUE!
I have to say Matt. That has got to be one of the best articles that I have ever read. I would have to say that you are and always will be a true Michigan Wolverine fan. Much of what you have said is the truest of the true. We shouldn’t look to the negative in things and always be posative… Great Job!!!
Sincerely,
Leah Brecht
As I sit here in my favorite U of M Hoodie, I read your article and have to say that you have done a great job. Keep them coming! I think that you are going to go far in this business and [they] are lucky to have you on their team of writers! Go Blue! Hail to the Victors!
Stephany Hattis
Helluva job Matt! It was a smart fella that got you to write for this sweet website. I know this article will go a long way toward uniting the BLUE nation. GO BLUE!!!
Way to go Matt. You stated some really good facts. That article really says a lot about being a fan of a tradition riched program and how it should be! Looking forward to reading some more!
Great article Matt!!! You know I’m as true blue and as loyal as they come. Win or loose I will stand by Michigan, however the question beckons to be asked after nearly 2 full seasons under Rodriguez, “Is this program progressing or regressing?” There are signs and arguments for both sides of the discussion. Despite playing a number of younger athletes, do you feel that the caliber of athlete that Michigan gets over other schools, should be showing greater improvements and be achieving higher results? I’m interested in your opinion. GO BLUE!!!
I do have to agree that they should be making bigger improvements, however this is the third loss of the season by 7 points or less. I think the improvements are there, they tend to get lost in the pile of mistakes. I know that I’m curious to see what happens next year that will be when I make my decision on RichRod!
While you can look at the games that just got away as possible wins, it’s also fair to look the games we just pulled out. All of this usually ends up evening out in any sport, however it’s the good teams that win the tight games and unfortunately we’re very mediocre winning 2 and losing 3 of those particular games