Coach on the Bubble

continued

achieve so that Rich Rod keeps his job?

Most guesses range from a 6-6 record and a bowl game invitation to an 8-4 season with a good win over a primary rival. But one former player who's remained close to the program calls such speculation naive. "Brandon is three steps ahead," this source says. "He knows where he wants to go and where the vagaries of events will lead him. He isn't simply reactive. He has contingencies." This implies there aren't any hard-and-fast benchmarks and many more factors than the win-loss record: Any further problems with the NCAA. The deportment of the kids Rodriguez has brought to the program (well above average, so far). How recruiting goes in the fall. But, most of all, a subjective evaluation of "how did the team play?" and "were we better than last year?"

Some 7-5 seasons could see Rich Rod on a greasy skid to Palookaville. Some 6-6 seasons could see him around for another run. Another 5-7 record? Well, it had better be a pretty remarkable 5-7. With three cream puffs on the docket (U Mass, Western, Bowling Green), that would leave the Wolverines just 2-7 against "real" teams. It would also be the first time in school history that U-M has three consecutive losing football seasons.