The most glaring issue for Michigan under Rich Rodriguez isn’t the amount of turnovers (and yes the turnovers are a problem, but that could be because of youth), but the lack of progress on defense.
Yes Rodriguez is widely known as an offensive mind, but turns out you need to be able to stop people to win, especially against the run.
In Rodriguez’s first season in Ann Arbor in 2008, Michigan’s defense allowed 137 rushing yards a game, and 367 total yards a game. In 2009, under newly hired defensive coordinator Greg Robinson, Michigan is allowing 162 rushing yards per game and 382 yards of total offense each game. This past week, then 5-3 Michigan lost to 1-6 Illinois. In the Wolverines loss, they surrendered 377 rushing yards. Regression has become a common concern for Michigan fans.
Rodriguez continues to recruit his style of quarterbacks, his slot receivers, and the guys that fit his offense. More of a concern needs to be made on the defensive side of the ball. With Rodriguez inability to recruit defense, and Robinson not really being a big recruiting coordinator, it’s unsure how Michigan will get the talent to right their woeful defense.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
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