by Brian Tomlinson

Created on: February 12, 2009   Last Updated: February 26, 2009

Coach Rich has only been in town for one season. He has brought an entirely new system with him. It is not the typical smash mouth pitch right, pitch left, blast and a cloud of dust football that we all know. He is changing not only a football system but a philosophy. The spread offence is nothing like the old pro-style offence. With the spread come various forms of it such as the zone read, triple option, wild-cat, mis-directions, and QB sneaks. There are many variants of the spread, which has been put in the normal pro-style offence.

Let's wait at least two recruiting cycles, so that he can get "his" players into the mix. He has inherited players who have not run that type of offence. The current players were recruited by Coach Carr, to run Coach Carr's offence. We need to give Coach Rich more time. This season, our beloved Wolverines should be alot better- they couldn't be any worse! I do think that Coach Rich must be more aware and open to all of the traditions of Michigan football. Michigan was long there before Coach Rich, and Michigan will be there long after he is gone, win or lose. Tradition and pageantry is what makes college football what it is. It's what makes college sports what it is. For him to come into a tradition rich environment and make changes to things that have been going on for years is unwise, but more disrespectful to those who have come before him. I will continue to give Coach Rich the benefit of the doubt. I think it is fair to say that we expect at least 6-7 more wins this season and be playing for the Big Ten title.

With every year, and every season, Michigan and Ohio State meet on that third weekend in November, with a common goal, for Michigan it's to demoralize Ohio State, and for Ohio State, it's to beat that team up north. This is the greatest college sports rivalry there is, and possibly the greatest sports rivalry ever. Since the teams' first meeting in 1897 it has been nothing short of a border war. We take players from their state, and they steal players from our state. Families get divided and friends split once a year on that fateful third Saturday in November. With expectations high every year, Coach Rich failed in his first test. He has at least two more chances to make up for the embarrassing defeat of last season. So Michigan fans, let's get behind our coach, so that we can continue to HAIL TO THE VICTORS!

GO BLUE!

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