Mr. BAW
ONE love, blood, life
I'm a Michigan man through and through, but last night's Rose Bowl illustrated a point I've been trying to make since Lloyd walked away: I wish Michigan were running a pro-style offense.
Now don't get me wrong. I think Rich Rodriguez is a good coach and I think he will eventually win at UofM, but I'm afraid that when he does I still won't enjoy it. There is something glorious about a pro-style offense in the college game when it is played by superior athletes and run by coaches who aren't afraid to open things up. USC in the 2nd quarter last night was one of the prettiest machines you will ever see. That's what the pro-style gets you.
And Michigan could run it. Let's be honest, we've had the athletes to run it (at least our first stringers - more on that later) for a long time, but we had a coach that simply refused to open up the offense unless they were way behind. Imagine UofM with a Carroll acolyte at the helm - mmm mmm good.
My only concern would be depth. It seems to me that part of USC's recent success is not that they've recruited great starters, but they've got great players that are sitting on the bench. My question is: are those great back-ups going to USC simply because Carroll is a great coach and its a great program so they're willing to sit on the bench? If that is the case, Michigan could build that sort of program. Or are those players going to USC because Carroll is a great coach and runs a great program AND because even if you're sitting on the bench you're sitting on the bench in Southern California? If location is a big factor, Michigan is fucked.
Again, this is not a knock on Rich Rod. I'm behind him. I just don't love the spread. Even when its run well, it looks like a back-yard gimmick play.
Matt Cassell...great player who sat on the bench.