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November 20, 2009

James Cook: U-M can calm critics

The Game. The Big House. The desperation.

It may not be do-or-die time for Rich Rodriguez, but it is for some.

The Michigan coach is just 8-15 in his first two seasons at the helm of one of the country's most decorated football programs. That just won't do.

With the Wolverines at 5-6, an upset win over No. 9 Ohio State would make the team bowl-eligible and take the heat off Rodriguez at least for awhile.

While The Game hardly seems to be one on paper, Rodriguez needs a win to avoid a second straight bowl-less season. A win not only gives Michigan a bowl game, but takes the spotlight off Rodriguez and the program's struggles, both on and off the field.

The first step in that equation is shoring up the Wolverines' porous defense, which is among the worst in the Big Ten, giving up 28.1 points and over 400 yards of total offense a game.

If Rodriguez survives this off-season, his defensive coaches will take the fall.

With Rodriguez' spread offense, the Wolverines are scoring over 30 points a game with an extremely balanced attack that averages 195 yards rushing and 195 passing.

RichRod's status in Ann Arbor seems to be safe for the moment, but an embarrassment at home to the Buckeyes could change that.

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  • Oregon feels right for Fisher

    Jake Fisher went to Oregon last weekend and came home a Duck. The Traverse City West standout ended a whirlwind month of recruiting on Wednesday when he signed his national letter of intent to play football at the University of Oregon.

    Continued ...
    Feb 3, 2011 8:35 am
  • MSU won't surprise anyone next year
    NCAA Final Four Butler Michigan St Basketball

    Michigan State was an unexpected Final Four participant after fighting through injuries to several key players. The Spartans won't surprise anyone next season. Only one key player, Raymar Morgan, was a senior on a team that lost to Butler.

    Continued ...
    Updated Apr 5, 2010 7:11 am 1 Photo
  • Glads Greiner relishes tourney trip
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    When a national champion is crowned on Monday and the 2010 NCAA tournament comes to a close, it will have a special meaning for Holden Greiner. After all, it was a tournament he was a part of. Greiner, a Traverse City St. Francis alum, helped Lehigh to a school-record 22 victories and its first appearance in the NCAA tournament since 2004. Not bad for a true freshman.

    Continued ...
    Updated Apr 3, 2010 12:40 am 1 Photo
  • James Cook: Don't worry about Izzo leaving
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    Tom Izzo isn't going anywhere " except likely to a few more Final Fours.

    Continued ...
    Updated Apr 3, 2010 12:40 am 1 Photo
  • Desire runs deep for Izzo, Spartans
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    The best coach in college basketball doesn't bother with formulas. One ingredient is all Tom Izzo needs. "If it doesn't hurt, if it isn't painful to go through a practice, you haven't done enough. You're not going to this level. You're going to win your 20 games," he said. "Big deal."

    Continued ...
    Updated Apr 2, 2010 7:22 am 1 Photo
  • Thursday, April 1, 2010
  • In the IZZONE
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    Despite his success, fame and fortune, Michigan State coach Tom Izzo is still an approachable guy. His cell phone vibrates constantly, and his windowed office on campus gives friends and strangers a chance to knock on the glass and give him a big thumbs-up. There have been a lot of those lately.

    Continued ...
    Apr 1, 2010 7:22 am 1 Photo
  • Thursday, March 25, 2010
  • Sports In Brief: 03/26/2010

    TC's Lansbach goes to Pepperdine; TC's Paliafito signs with Sacred Heart

    Continued ...
    Updated Mar 25, 2010 11:40 pm
  • Monday, March 15, 2010
  • MSU, Merchant anxious for draw
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    Traverse City native Suzy Merchant expects her Michigan State Spartans to be at least a No. 5 seed when the NCAA women's basketball tournament pairings are announced tonight.

    Continued ...
    Updated Mar 15, 2010 7:26 am 1 Photo
  • Thursday, February 4, 2010
  • Bullough among 21 signed by Spartans

    Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio is sure the off-the-field headlines that embarrassed his program last season didn't hurt him on the recruiting trail, which included signing linebacker Max Bullough from Traverse City St. Francis.

    Continued ...
    Feb 4, 2010 7:30 am
  • Tuesday, January 12, 2010
  • TC's Redmond honored by CCHA

    Ferris State University junior Zach Redmond (Traverse City) has been chosen as the Central Collegiate Hockey Association's (CCHA) Defenseman of the Week.

    Continued ...
    Jan 12, 2010 7:15 am
  • Tuesday, December 22, 2009
  • Glass: We got what we wanted
    APTOPIX Texas Penn St Volleyball

    Quite possibly one of the best women's volleyball title matches ever capped one of the most remarkable runs in college sports for a program that keeps making history.

    Continued ...
    Dec 22, 2009 7:40 am 1 Photo
  • Monday, December 21, 2009
  • Leland's Glass dishes out 53 assists
    Texas Penn St Volleyball

    Penn State players scurried for scissors to cut down the nets, ran for volleyballs left behind and moved quickly to secure pieces of banners around the arena. Everyone wanted a piece of history. They were the only ones who got it.

    Continued ...
    Dec 21, 2009 7:35 am 2 Photos
  • Saturday, December 19, 2009
  • Glass, Penn State win national title

    Penn State became the first team to win three straight volleyball titles Saturday night, overcoming a two-set deficit to beat Texas in five and extend its record winning streak to 102 straight games.

    Continued ...
    Dec 19, 2009 11:15 pm
  • Friday, December 18, 2009
  • Glass to play for 3rd straight title

    Penn State and Leland's Alicia Glass moved one win away from setting another record, earning the chance for a third straight national championship by beating Hawaii Thursday night.

    Continued ...
    Dec 18, 2009 7:25 am
  • Tuesday, December 15, 2009
  • Glass, Penn State closer to 3-peat
    Penn St Win Streak Volleyball

    A 100th straight victory over the weekend moved the record-setting Penn State women's volleyball team a step closer to an unprecedented third straight NCAA title.

    Continued ...
    Dec 15, 2009 7:25 am 1 Photo
  • Monday, December 14, 2009
  • Traverse City's Harman hits 14 for CMU
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    Robbie Harman (Traverse City Central) had 14 points and Jordan Bitzer added 12 points as Central Michigan topped South Florida on Sunday.

    Continued ...
    Dec 14, 2009 7:20 am 1 Photo
  • Saturday, December 12, 2009
  • Glass, Lions get win No. 100

    Make that 100 straight wins for the Penn State volleyball team. The Nitany Lions cruised into the national semifinals on Saturday with a 25-18, 25-17, 25-22 sweep of California in the regional championship.

    Continued ...
    Dec 12, 2009 10:30 pm
  • Friday, December 4, 2009
  • Glass, Lions target 3rd title
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    The record 96 straight wins are impressive, though the Penn State women's volleyball team and Leland's Alicia Glass are focused on an even more important streak.

    Continued ...
    Dec 4, 2009 7:35 am 1 Photo
  • Monday, November 30, 2009
  • Townsend nets Sweet 16 game-winner
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    Traverse City West grad Casey Townsend scored the game-winning goal as Maryland advanced to the national quarterfinals with a win over Harvard.

    Continued ...
    Nov 30, 2009 7:04 am 1 Photo
  • Friday, November 20, 2009
  • Thursday, November 19, 2009
  • College Notes: West's Sears earns honors

    Calvin senior libero Kelsey Sears (Traverse City) has been named a third-team All-American by the American Volleyball Coaches Association. (Plus more on college athletes from the region.)

    Continued ...
    Nov 19, 2009 7:25 am
  • Glass, Penn State are favorites to 3-peat
    Volleyball Central

    The Penn State women's volleyball squad, playing in quaint but stuffy Rec Hall, has won 92 straight games -- tied for the second-longest streak in NCAA Division I team sports.

    Continued ...
    Nov 19, 2009 7:25 am 1 Photo
  • Monday, September 21, 2009
  • U-M coach: 'It's hard to get back'
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    With a veteran cast returning, expectations are high for a University of Michigan softball team that reached the college World Series last spring.

    Continued ...
    Sep 21, 2009 7:16 am 2 Photos
  • Friday, September 18, 2009
  • Townsend doesnt regret decision to leave early

    Like Traverse City St. Francis football star Max Bullough hopes will help him, a semester head start helped propel Casey Townsend to a prominent role on a national championship team in the Maryland soccer program last year.

    Continued ...
    Sep 18, 2009 4:35 pm
  • Townsend doesn't regret early college start
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    It doesn't seem like much at first glance, but those extra few months can be a massive boon for a college player. Like Traverse City St. Francis football star Max Bullough hopes it will help him, a semester head start helped propel Casey Townsend to a prominent role on a national championship team in the Maryland soccer program last year.

    Continued ...
    Sep 18, 2009 7:42 am 1 Photo