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Michigan has to win this season or Rich Rodriguez will be out of a job. Michigan has a proud tradition and history and lately that has taken a hit. I’m not talking just from the winning aspect of the game but with the infractions. I really do hope it was just a mistake and not something that was done intentional but either way this was the first time Michigan has had sanctions or even been looked at in Football by the NCAA.

If Michigan had been winning the fan base wouldn’t be so hard on Rich Rod though. Winning truly is the best medicine. Without the winning though all the extra stuff going on is like adding fuel to the fire for the Rich Rod haters. It seems like the fan base is slit on RR right now too. You hear a lot of people complaining about him but a lot of people still believe in him and for good reason.

I am a believer and I will tell you why. Rodriguez has been successful where ever he has coached and I have a hunch he didn’t forget how to coach when he joined Michigan. Yes, it has taken a bit longer than most would like but he installed a big change. Not only was the change going to take time but in his first year he had no real QB options. No offense to these guys but Nick Sheridan and Steven Threet are nothing more than backup QB’s.

Last season this team was only a few plays in some games away from being a decent team and bowl bound. After Tate Forcier hurt his shoulder last season his play dipped and he looked mediocre for the most part. Before that he was having a magical season and instilled hope in the Michigan faithful. I think the shoulder bothered him the rest of the season and if it weren’t for that I think Michigan would have won a few more games and made a bowl. Now with Tate having time to finally heal and a vastly improved Denard Robinson this offense could explode next season.

The key to success next season will weight heavily on the defense. For the first time in many of season the same defensive coordinator is back and although that doesn’t seem like a big deal, it is. This means these young players have had time to learn in the system for a whole year and now can start reacting faster instead of thinking. It should lead to an improved defense. The loss of Brandon Graham was a monster loss but a few players will need to step up and take over. Some guys too look out for are Will Campbell, Craig Roh, Cam Gordon, and Justin Turner. All look to be promising.

If key players stay healthy then 8 wins is not out of the question and should kind of be expected out of RR. Michigan needs to beat Michigan State, get into a solid bowl game, and possibly win that bowl game for Rodriguez to keep his job. If Carr was pushed out for not beating Ohio State then RR will be pushed out sooner if he is unable to beat MSU for the third straight season with 2 of them coming in the Big House. I think he can get away with a loss to OSU one more season since the game is in the Horseshoe. The former West Virginia coach should really be feeling the hot seat here at Michigan now because if he can’t deliver this season he will be out. Even if there wasn’t a lot of drama surrounding RR since he joined U of M he would still likely be out with another marginal season because this is Michigan and a lot is expected.

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