UM: Football
Newsday publishes an Associated Press rundown of the nation’s “marquee” football programs that are facing pivotal years – a group that includes Michigan: “Rich Rodriguez’s first season in Ann Arbor was one of the worst in the history of college football winningest program. It’s unrealistic to think Michigan will be back in the thick of the Big Ten race after going 3-9 with a very inexperienced squad in 2008. But significant progress must be made this season, because when your competition is Ohio State, slow and steady doesn’t cut it.” [Source]