The Michigan Wolverines (3-8, 2-5) have struggled mightily in new head coach Rich Rodriguez's first year.
They have lost eight times, which is the most in school history, snapped a streak of 38 straight bowl games, suffered their first losing season since 1967, and to add insult to injury, lost to No. 15 Michigan State (9-2, 6-1) at home for the first time since 1990.
The transition into the Rich Rodriguez era has been rough. While a rocky year was expected, no one anticipated it would be this bad for Michigan.
The offense has been pitiful, averaging a mere 299.2 yards per game, which is dead last in the Big Ten. They are also tied for ninth in the Big Ten in scoring, with an average of only 21.5 points per game.
Quarterbacks Steven Threet and Nick Sheridan have not been able to execute Rodriguez's spread offense. At times, both quarterbacks have had a tendency to be inaccurate and miss open receivers.
YouTube legend Sam McGuffie has struggled in his freshman year with injury problems. Also true freshman wide receiver Darryl Stonum, out of Sugarland, Texas, has failed to live up to his billing this year, with only 13 catches for just 143 yards and one touchdown.
However much of these offensive struggles were expected in Rodriguez's first year.
The defense, which returned seven starters from last year's team was expected to be good enough to give Michigan chances to win games. However, that has not been the case.
The secondary has been terrible this season. The Wolverines are 10th in the Big Ten in pass defense, allowing 234.2 yards per game and just over seven yards per catch.
If you thought it couldn't get any worse, then think again. Michigan will have to travel to Columbus this weekend to take on their most hated rival, Ohio State (9-2, 6-1). The Buckeyes are ranked 10th in the BCS, and both of their losses were to opponents ranked inside the top three, USC and Penn State.
Highly touted true freshman quarterback Terrelle Pryor has been a huge part of the Buckeye offense.
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