Who Gets Fired First?

Two storied college football programs.  Two struggling college football programs who haven't found the way yet.  Two coaches who collectively should be worried about any call to the Athletic Director's office in the coming weeks.  Who goes first... Michigan's Rich Rodriguez or Notre Dame's Charlie Weis? 

The arguments for Rich Rod is that you have to give a guy time to recruit and build a program his way before letting him go. I agree with this concept but programs like Michigan want success at all times therefore they could give two shits about that, just see Kentucky Basketball if you need an example.   The Wolverines are once again hitting the cellar after two big losses to Illinois and Purdue.  Two teams I would argue they should probably beat and now Rich Rod needs to spilt Wisconsin and Ohio State.  If he beats the Buckeyes, I think no doubt about it, his job is safe.  Michigan could be 1-10 but if that one win is against Ohio State, all is forgiven.  I believe a big road win against the Badgers would also help his resume even if he dropped the game against the Buckeyes.  

For the Fightin' Irish, the arguments aren't there.  The Irish higher-ups know if they keep Weis around that maybe Jimmy Clausen will stay another year and the Golden Domers will have another chance at winning the big one.  Because I guaran-damn-tee if Weis were to get fired, and Clausen stays that next coach will get the same sort of hype Weis got at the beginning of his tenure.  Some feel that the Navy loss was the last stand and that the writings officially on the wall. Although if they can win out winning against two ranked teams on the road, could earn them a January 1st bowl plus the prospects of Clausen returning could help things out. Who knows though with the Fightin' Irish.   

-Charlie.

The Year of the Frosh QB?

I could say that overall in terms of sports plus my own fun this could have been a top ten weekend of my life. One of the things we did learn on Saturday is that maybe freshman quarterbacks can get done for big time programs.

In the afternoon as I was napping from the day of drinking and cliff jumping, Michigan was in a complete dog fight with the then number 18th team in the nation Notre Dame. It seemed like the Fighting Irish had full control of the game but that would be proven wrong in the fourth quarter with the Wolverines freshman quarterback Tate Forcier dominating down the stretch. He was facing blitzes up the middle like none other and was handling it like he was a senior. Forcier seems to be the perfect player for Rich Rodriguez's system. The juke move that sprung him for a touchdown was another great play. Any of you who was looking forward to another bad Michigan year, you are going have to look forward to another year.

The other game featured two top teams in USC-Ohio State and no one really knew what they were getting. A lot of players from last year's game were not there and the Trojans had a freshman quarterback in Matt Barkley heading to the Horseshoe. He can say whatever he wants but Barkley appeared rattled throughout most of the game. Although when it mattered the most, he guided his team down the field for a game-winning touchdown. When you see an 18-19 year old kid do that on the biggest stage of the night, you have to wonder what else Barkley has in him?

-Charlie.

For Once I Defend Michigan

If there is one thing that pisses me off more than anything is people who want to run out a coach for whatever reason. That is what the University of Michigan is doing right now and its fairly clear what they are doing right now.

3-9 Head Football Coach Rich Rodriguez has been accused of keeping his players over the 20 hours that are required and their strength coach is too hard. You have got to be kidding me Michigan. This is a clear-cut hack job by the Wolverine boosters and others to try to drive Rich Rod out of Big Blue. I mean honestly when "the" Ohio State's head coach Jim Tressel defends their arch rival telling them that basically all of this is bullshit. That is saying something to their boosters and all these former players.

You can never really take the word of a "former player" either. Those are guys trying to run their mouth because they cannot stand the coaching staff. So why not go to the Detroit Free Press and make all of these ridiculous accusations about our former college coach that we hate because the Michigan experience didn't lead to a Rose Bowl. C'mon Big Blue admit that you are wrong and that Rich Rod doesn't deserve anything that is coming to him right now.

At this point, they are just digging dirt at this point looking for things to happen therefore they can get rid of Rodriguez for a better coach in the upcoming year. Who knows how Michigan will do but they need to leave Rich alone.

-Charlie.