RichRod hates family values

So before Rich Rodriguez arrived in Ann Arbor, Michigan's football players and the coaching staff held hands and sang Kumbaya before practice and games. Or is that RichRod is a card-carrying liberal, who drives teenage girls to abortion clinics on the weekend and has never read the Bible.

Something isn't right up north.

It seems outcast Justin Boren, a former Michigan offensive lineman, may not have been so off base when he accused RichRod of stripping the Wolverines of their close-knit, family values that the team enjoyed under former coach Lloyd Carr.

Now OL Kurt Wermers, who redshirted last season, is transferring to Ball State. Wermers commented about RichRod on the news site nwi.com and said: "I really didn't get along with the new coaches. They were bringing in a lot of different kids that were not my kind of crowd. Coach Carr's staff was a whole different ballgame. It was like a family. But when Rodriguez came in it was a whole different feeling. It was more of a business. I figured I'd get out while I could."

Wermers' comments are almost identical to those Boren made when he bolted Michigan to join bitter rival Ohio State. Boren said then: "Michigan football was a family, built on mutual respect and support for each other from (former) Coach (Lloyd) Carr on down. We knew it took the entire family, a team effort, and we all worked together.

"I have great trouble accepting that those family values have eroded in just a few months. " ... That I am unable to perform under these circumstances at the level I expect of myself, and my teammates and Michigan fans deserve, is why I have made the decision to leave."

Wermers is no Boren. But this is starting to become a trend at Michigan. There were rumors about RichRod's "values" when he was at WVU. But the players and fans seemed to tolerate him because the man won games. His games could wear thin in Ann Arbor if he doesn't win this season.

If it doesn't work out, at least he'll have more time for his family.

Scheduling malfunction

I guess the Big Ten really does need that 12th member.

Word out of Ann Arbor and Michigan blog MVictors.com is the Wolverines asked conference peer Minnesota to come to the Big House in 2010 to play a non-conference game. The Gophers turned Michigan down despite a potential huge payday.

I love what Minnesota AD Joel Maturi had to say on the matter. "I’m not a real brilliant guy, but I'm not so sure it's in the best interest of Minnesota football to play Southern Cal and Michigan in back-to-back weeks. Non-conference, so-to-speak."

What's going on at Michigan? Since when can't the Wolverines find someone willing to take their money to play at the Big House? It's not like Michigan is that intimidating these days.

This failed attempt to get Minnesota to play a non-league game has the feel of some out-of-the-way high school begging schools to come play them.

I would normally rip on RichRod and Michigan AD Bill Martin for trying to pull this off. But look around and you'll see it's getting tougher for the big programs to get teams to make a road trip for a butt-whipping. Even Mid-American Conference schools are demanding $800,000 to travel.

So don't be surprised when conference teams start playing each other in a non-conference game. Or JoePa's expansion talk would help. How would Rutgers or Pitt look in this spot on the schedule?

Begging and pleading at the Big House

As a youngster in the late 1970s and early 1980s there were a few teams that personified college football. Programs like Alabama, Penn State, Texas, Oklahoma, Ohio State, USC, Notre Dame and Michigan.

You could argue most of these are still among the elite today. However, Michigan is officially off that list now. It started with the hiring of RichRod, but now there is this year's Michigan-Big House Pledge T-shirt (click on image to see a larger version).

Big-time programs don't need fans to sign an honor code or declare they will attend home games in good times or bad, for richer or poorer. Following a 3-9 debacle in RichRod's first year and my oh my how things have changed in Ann Arbor.

Here is what the shirt says:

THE BIG HOUSE PLEDGE
I pledge to make my way to the Big House every football Saturday
to cheer on my Maize and Blue as they take the
field in the name of Michigan. I will join the
chorus of Wolverine faithful as they hail the Victors.
I promise to give everything I have to the Maize and Blue and I
will dig deep for something extra when the team needs me most
I will bring it all four quarters and I won't stop until the clock
reads all zeroes. I will do all of this because I am
ALL IN FOR MICHIGAN

Since when do the fans need a pep talk? When you know you're going to suck again. Any Michigan fan wearing this shirt should be booted from the Big House. I'm actually embarrassed for Michigan right now.

Maybe I'll get a few for my Ohio State friends so they can replace these shirts.

Bye, bye media guides

Who's next?

Earlier today and friend told me Ohio State and Michigan have both decided to postpone publishing media guides this fall. Then tonight I learn Wisconsin is following their lead. At the tune of $150,000 to $200,00 in savings I can understand the fiscal decision.

Not all of the Big Ten schools have made this move, but within two years I could see all D1 schools cutting this out of the budget as others do the same.

State schools with shrinking budgets have to make cuts somewhere, and with all this information readily available online this choice makes sense. This also forces sports information offices to become a bit more creative and utilize new media initiatives. Hell, they have a lot more time on their hands now.

But I can be old school sometimes. I've been pouring over media guides since the 1980s. I remember one with Bernie Kosar on the cover for the Miami Hurricanes with his Youngstown afro and goofy smile.

Interesting, though, is just a few years ago the big-time programs were fighting a media guide competition. If not for the NCAA regulating them the Michigan's, Ohio State's and Nebraska's would have been printing 800-page media guides that were four-color throughout. Instead of a couple hundred thousand in savings these programs would have been spending millions.

With athletic budgets creeping close to $100 million a few hundred thousand doesn't seem like much. But when academics are being cut all over campuses this at least sends a good message. It should be noted, though, that these decisions to cut media guides does have a negative impact on printers around the nation. Losing a $100,000 contract hurts.

Preseason: Big 10 rankings

Too early? Probably. But with about 3 1/2 months until the college football season gets underway it's time to make my Big 10 predictions (Phil's would probably look a little different).

1. Ohio State
Key players: QB Terrelle Pryor, DT Cameron Heyward, CB Chimdi Chekwa, S Kurt Coleman, S Anderson Russell, OG Justin Boren.
Predicted record: 10-2
The Buckeyes will finally get back to the Rose Bowl, and should have a good chance to win it since USC will probably be in the BCS Championship Game. Quarterback Terrelle Pryor is now a seasoned player, but he still needs to improve as a passer. Beanie Wells will be tough to replace, but Dan Herron looks like the favorite. Defense should be strong, but finding replacements at linebacker is the challenge.

2. Iowa Key players: QB Ricky Stanzi, OT Bryan Bulaga, C Rafael Eubanks, LB A.J. Edds, DE Adrian Clayborn, CB Amari Spievey.
Predicted record: 10-2
This may be a stretch for the Hawkeyes, but they played well last year and they have enough talent back to make a run for the Big Ten championship. The big loss is RB Shonn Greene, who seemed to will the Hawkeyes to victory in a few games last season. Jewel Hampton appears to be the favorite to replace Greene.

3. Penn State Key players: QB Daryll Clark, RB Evan Royster, TE Andrew Quarless, LB Sean Lee
Predicted record: 9-3
Penn State is talented on the offensive side, but defensively could be weak in the secondary. ey players back on offense, including quarterback Daryll Clark and running back Evan Royster. The home schedule also plays into the Nittany Lions hands and they could wind up on top in the weak Big Ten.

4. Michigan State Key players: LB Greg Jones, CB Chris Rucker, CB Ross Weaver
Predicted record: 9-3
Kirk Cousins and Keith Nichol are still battling to replace Brian Hoyer at quarterback, but the Spartans biggest need is trying to replace tailback Javon Ringer. Defense is what will keep MSU in games all season. The secondary is one of the best in the nation.

5. Minnesota
Key players: QB Adam Weber, LB Nathan Triplett, RB DeLeon Eskridge, WR Eric Decker
Predicted record: 8-4
Tim Brewster is working his tail off in Minnesota and the Gophers could pull an upset or two this fall. Offensive line remains a big question mark as well as a new offensive scheme. Minnesota is also not set in the secondary.

6. Illinois
Key players: QB Juice Williams. WR Arrelious Benn, RB Jason Ford, RB Mikel LeShoure, S Donsay Hardeman
Predicted record: 8-4
I'd like to think the Illini are better than last year's sub-.500 record. But because of last year's slip under Ron Zook is why I put Illinois behind Minnesota. Juice Williams is the key to success. When he throws with some accuracy, the Illini can move the ball. Defense must improve also.

7. Northwestern
Key players: DE Corey Wootton, S Brad Phillips, QB Mike Kafka, RB Jeravin Matthews
Predicted record: 7-5
Northwestern has a nice team. The Wildcats are solid on defense, but need more consistency from Mike Kafka to move the ball better. The offensive line needs to keep improving like it did during the spring. Northwestern doesn't scare the top teams in the Big Ten.

8. Wisconsin
Key players: WR Nick Toon, HB Garrett Graham, QB Dustin Sherer, QB Curt Phillips
Predicted record: 6-6
The Badgers were a huge disappointment last season and things could be worse. The quarterback competition wasn't settled this spring so Dustin Sherer and Curt Phillips will keep going at it into the fall. Wisconsin also has concerns and depth issues at linebacker and in the secondary.

9. Michigan
Key players: QB Tate Forcier, TB Brandon Minor, S Steve Brown, LB Obi Ezeh
Predicted record: 5-7
I've heard about the Wolverines strong spring and the play of Tate Forcier, but this is still a very young team and Michigan will still lose a few more than it will win. Let's not forget how much this offensive line struggled last year and the defense should have been much better. Former Syracuse coach Greg Robinson must figure out a way to get that unit to play better in 2009.

10. Purdue
Key players: RB Ralph Bolden, QB Joey Elliott, DT Mike Neal
Predicted record: 3-9
Purdue is going to be hard-pressed to finish much higher than this in Danny Hope's first season as coach. Joey Elliott is trying to replace Justin Siller at QB and the defense is pretty porous. However, there were some bright spots in the spring.

11. Indiana
Key players: LB Matt Mayberry, DE Greg Middleton, DE Jammie Kirlew, QB Ben Chappell
Predicted record: 3-9
Losing quarterback Kellen Lewis after spring practice hurts this bottom of the conference team, but Ben Chappell should step right in at QB. The Hoosiers could be stronger on defense this season, which could help them get out of the basement in 2009.

Grow up Rich

This video is all the proof you need ... Rich Rodriguez is one sleazy dude. (Watch John Beilein also in the foreground at the Washington, D.C., event). He looks amazingly disinterested in everything RichRod has to say).

Why does he keep attacking WVU fans? Most of them have let it go. For some reason he can't.

Better fit for Paulus

I'm already tired of the Greg Paulus story. But I have to admit this seems like a much better fit. It appears Michigan has stopped courting the former Duke basketball player. Instead, it appears Syracuse is a real possibility for the former Gatorade High School Football Player of the Year.

Fulmer Cup shakeup

While the latest Fulmer Cup rankings won't be posted until later this week over at EveryDayShouldBeSaturday.com, we noticed at An 'Eye and an 'Eer that the
rankings should see a shakeup after this weekend.

Here's the latest in off-season debauchery:

* Two Ohio State freshmen enjoy dabbling in the drug paraphernalia.

* Ryan Mallett, the former rocket-armed, but slow-footed quarterback at Michigan, decided to partake in a little underage drinking and got busted for public intox in Fayetteville, Ark. Mallett is the favorite to start for the Razorbacks this fall.

* Speaking of underage consumption, Nebraska tight end Ben Cotton was nabbed after he couldn't maintain his composure. Those 19-year-olds just can't hold their liquor.

* Iowa, which has not choice but to appear serious when its players run afoul of the law, has suspended freshman defensive back Shaun Prater after being charged with driving while trashed.

So the Buckeyes crack the rankings, while the Mountaineers have a quiet weekend in Morgantown (not counting Bob Huggins' bender after WVU lost to Cincinnati for a second consecutive season).

First tickets then coaches

Michigan's Athletic Department says it is thanking its fans for loyal support and wants to provide them with a price break at the ticket booth this fall. Wolverine fans will pay on average almost $4 less a ticket in 2009.

It is a nice gesture considering Ohio State and Michigan State announced each will raise ticket prices this fall. Let's be realistic, though. The Buckeyes and Spartans have a much better product to put out on the field next season.

UM is smack dab in the middle of the nation's economic crisis. The auto industry is floundering and Michigan residents are losing jobs at alarming rate. So the fan base may be loyal and large, but they are broke.

But this also feels like the AD is saying thanks to the fans for coming to those crappy games last fall as the Wolverines lost more games than any other time in their history and they are losing confidence in RichRod.

So for $50 you can see Michigan open the season Sept. 5 against Western Michigan.

He's Michigan's problem now

RichRod goes 3-9 in his first year at Michigan and he goes around the state making fun of it. How long will the Michigan fans and administration tolerate this prick?

Now I just watch and laugh. Not my problem any longer.

Allegiance for sale

This guy (who shall remain headless) sells his college football allegiance on eBay and winds up with Ole Miss. I understand his anger and disappointment in Michigan. But how long until he's fed up with 4-8, 5-7 and maybe 6-6 seasons from the Rebels? I give him two years. Bad move dude.

Picks of the Week

Even after going 4-1 and picking the Rutgers upset at South Florida, 'Eer is still looking to get back to .500 on the season. Let's hope he makes some sound picks (and gets a little luck). Here we go again:

Ohio State (-20.5) over Michigan
Don't tell me that in all rivalries you throw out the records because anything can happen. I've seen it happen, but there is no way the Wolverines can go into Columbus and beat the Buckeyes. Jim Tressel owns Michigan to the tune of 6-1. Rich-Rod doesn't respect this game and UM is lacking in talent.
Pick: Ohio State 48, Michigan 8

Akron (-2.5) over Ohio
Staying in the state of Ohio, the Dennis Kennedy-led Zips come into Peden Stadium and take down the underachieving Bobcats. Akron would be bowl eligible with a win at 6-5 and remain in second in the East Division of the Mid-American Conference. OU is trying to avoid its ninth loss.
Pick: Akron 37, Ohio 14

Rice (-9) over Marshall
Turning my attention just up the Ohio River is where we find Marshall. OK, actually they'll be in Texas playing Rice. The Thundering Herd must win its last two games to get bowl eligible and possibly save Mark Snyder's job in Huntington. Not going to happen. At 5-1 in the West Division, Rice is playing for a Conference USA championship.
Pick: Rice 31, Marshall 20

Boise State (-5.5) over Nevada
The Wolf Pack are tough at home, but Boise is 10-0 and will make a BCS bowl if they can win out. Chris Petersen will not let the Broncos lose focus as they travel to Reno. No. 9 Boise State is led by a balanced offense that includes running back Ian Johnson (539 rushing yards and nine TDs) and quarterback Kellen Moore (2,637 yards and 20 TDs).
Pick: Boise State 28, Nevada 20

Upset of the Week
Pittsburgh (+5) over Cincinnati
Maybe this is more my heart than head. What? Yeah, a Mountaineer rooting for Pitt. Well, that's what it takes for WVU to have a shot at the Big East title. But I actually believe the Panthers are better than the Bearcats and LeSean McCoy is going to run crazy. Even Wannstache has figured it out that it's just good job security to keep feeding McCoy.
Pick: Pittsburgh 27, Cincinnati 24

Last Week: 4-1
Season: 21-24

Fun times

Saw this crazy clip on Ohio News Network (nod to my old buddy Mike Kallmeyer who is the anchor). Seems the folks in New Bremen are primed for The Game on Saturday. If you don't live in Ohio you just don't get how crazy they are for the OSU-Michigan game.

I just walked downtown (very quickly because it's like 27 degrees today) and everyone is wearing Ohio State jerseys. I still love it when I see the Eddie George jerseys.

Piling on Rich-Rod

After 'Eye wrote about Rich-Rod last night, I thought we should give the topic some rest. But after further review, I decided there's just more to say about him. With his recent comments and complaints he's coming off more as Bitch-Rod.

The Michigan Man probably thought it could never get this bad. He claims he left WVU because he didn't get the support from the administration that he wanted, and he wanted total control over the football program. He gets that kind of control at UM and the Wolverines head into Columbus this weekend for The Game with a 3-8 record.

Bitch-Rod also complained that the WVU fans turned on him following the Mountaineers upset loss to Pitt in the season finale, costing West Virginia a shot at the BCS Championship. Looks like Michigan fans and alumni are turning on him in less than 11 months after taking over in Ann Arbor (she's a whore).

Former Heisman Trophy winner Desmond Howard said the Wolverines didn't look like Michigan, but more like Michigan Tech. Hey Des, that's unfair to Michigan Tech. The Huskies finished 8-3 and almost made the NCAA Division II playoffs.

Detroit News isn't a big fan of Rich-Rod

Michigan's Rich Rodriguez should probably stop reading the Detroit News (if he didn't a long time ago).

See, the Detroit News covers the Wolverines in a pretty aggressive fashion, and the reporters don't do it in a very "rah-rah" fashion that Rodriguez likes. He was pretty used to it too at WVU with reporters in his back pocket.

Lynn Henning's column this past weekend is just one of many commentaries that attack Rodriguez and his handling of the Wolverines this season. Henning questions Rodriguez' competence and how he has lost support from many of his upperclassmen.

Henning wrote: "But what should be as distressing to Michigan's football camp as this incomprehensible string of losses -- five in a row -- is Rodriguez's attitude. 'I know what's going on,' he said Saturday, as if he is aware of deficiencies no one else seems to recognize. Does he really believe that?"

Henning also suggests that Michigan's senior administration is worried about the direction of the program under Rodriguez and second guessing their decision to hire him last year. This is not good. Given two more years, Rodriguez will get the Wolverines back on track. But he may not get that much time.

Beat writer Angelique S. Chengelis even suggests that Michigan's season has had more drama than anyone could have anticipated. The Wolverines sitting at 2-7 and missing out on a bowl game for the first time in 33 years is not what any Michigan fan could have expected.

Chengelis also wrote about the all-time low that Michigan football has hit in 2008.

In another article, Henning writes that Rich-Rod is getting a little testy with the media.

Heck, we haven't even looked at the Ann Arbor stories yet.

Maybe Clemson could land Rich-Rod next season.

Ah Michigan, please leave Rich Rod alone

He would never admit it, but if Rich Rodriguez could travel in time and go back to the day he accepted the Michigan job he would. He'd look at UM Athletic Director Bill Martin and say "No thanks."

Don't believe it? Listen to this quote in today's Detroit Free Press.

"I'm sure a lot of people are saying that I'm a bad coach. Everybody can have their opinion. But I've been here 10 months. I feel as good as I have as far as I know we can build this program to be one of the best in the country. It's not showing that right now, but we can do that. It may take us longer than what I thought. ... We'll get it right. I mean, everybody wants to push the panic button. Ten months, geez."

Sorry, but this is what you get with RichRod. He doesn't want to be questioned. He wants everyone to admire him -- even when his team is mired in a 2-7 campaign and the program won't make a bowl game for the first time in 33 years. Many folks at WVU said AD Ed Pastilong wanted to fire RichRod after the first season. He took over a very talented Mountaineer squad and went 3-8. He was arrogant then and wanted everyone to get off his back. Rumors also swirled that the senior adminstration at WVU didn't like his sideline demeanor (foul language, ranting and raving as ESPN cameras rolled).

Their patience paid off and Rodriguez led WVU to national prominence (something the Mountaineers did enjoy under Don Nehlen also, but many forget). He could do nothing wrong in Morgantown.

But his ego was just too big and he couldn't see how great he had it. At An 'Eye and an 'Eer, we have defended RichRod and said with time he'd turn it around in Ann Arbor (she's a whore). It may be time to change that stance.

Rodriguez credibility is taking a beating and the Wolverines may not be that much better next season (6-6 at best). His ego won't take this type of abuse much longer.

This is just one fan's response to the article: "Yeah. In 10 miserable months, RR managed to turn an excellent program with proud tradition into a laughing stock!"

Grass isn't looking so green in Ann Arbor?

Michigan-Rich Rod in bed together now

A lot of conspiracy theorists (also known as Michigan Wolverine fans) thought they could simply whisk Rich Rodriguez out of town and not owe West Virginia's hated son a dime. Why? Because they kept saying he had not signed his contract yet.

Well, the Associated Press got to the bottom of this and it looks like you are stuck with him until 2013. Not to repeat myself, I believe the fans in Ann Arbor (she's a whore) will not regret this. They'll want to forget 2008, but his track record is solid and he'll get the Wolverines back on track.

So for those who want him gone, guess you'll need a new strategy.

It's a love/hate thing with Rich Rod

It seems Ron Cook at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is a little too infatuated with Rich Rodriguez. On the other hand, South Florida coach Jim Leavitt is a little arrogant when it comes to his feelings toward the former WVU coach.

Funny thing is, I agree in part with both of them. I am on the record as saying that Rodriguez will rebound and return to his winning ways. But only if Michigan doesn't grow impatient. What is irritating about Rich Rod is the arrogance he portrays--almost I invented football attitude. Enough. He's good, but not the best. He's had great success as an underdog, but when his team's are favored and a lot is on the line he chokes.

In case you were wondering how some Michigan fans feel about WVU's hated son. Check out the Fire Rich Rodriguez website.

Is Notre Dame really that much better?

I'm still trying to figure out if Notre Dame is that much better from Week 1 to Week 2 after a 35-17 victory over rival Michigan Saturday. I think so.

I would argue that Michigan may be more talented, but I was impressed with how the Fighting Irish played in front of the home crowd. They played inspired. The took advantage of Michigan miscues. And for the first time since Jimmy Clausen arrived in South Bend I saw him live up to all of the Blue Chip hype.

OK, he finished just 10-of-21 passing, but he played with confidence and a little bit of arrogance. This win could be a springboard for Notre Dame and how they play the rest of the season. A few weeks ago I would have bet anyone that the Irish would lose this coming week at Michigan State. I'm not so sure now. I'm looking forward to that game.

As for Michigan, the Wolverines beat themselves early with all of the mistakes. But they did execute much better than they did in the first two games under first-year coach Rich Rodriguez' spread offense. Sam McGuffie was impressive running the ball (131 yards on 25 carries).

Now Michigan must figure out how to hold onto the ball. The Rich Rods have two weeks to work on that before hosting No. 10 Wisconsin.

Sorry Michigan fans. This is going to be a long season.