Michigan Football Schedule 2010 Crucial for Wolverines

Michigan football has seen better days lately. As such, the Michigan football schedule 2010 is very crucial, since this Michigan football schedule could cost Rich Rodriguez his job. The first few years of the Rodriguez era have been filled with disappointing results on the field, and trouble off the field. The Wolverine faithful are in no mood for another lousy season, so this could potentially be Rodriguez's last chance. The first major sign as to how the Michigan football schedule 2010 will go comes today, as the Big House hosts a record crowd.

After recent renovations, Michigan stadium now holds 108,000 rabid fans, who are anxious for a return to glory. Today's rechristening features the Wolverines against Connecticut, which is trying to take the next step towards a Big East title. In the past, this game wouldn't have been any trouble, but the gap has obviously closed.

The Michigan football schedule 2010 has no true cupcakes, given how the Wolverines have struggled against seemingly inferior teams recently. Since they have gone 3-9 and 5-7 in the last two years, they cannot afford to take any team lightly anymore. Rodriguez certainly can't, since he's already under the hot seat.

After today's important opening, the Michigan football schedule 2010 gets no easier. Their annual grudge match with Notre Dame will be held at South Bend next week, as the Irish also look to get out of mediocrity. If the Wolverines come out of this game at 2-0, they will have much needed confidence - although a hot start last year was ultimately a mirage.

The rest of September has home games against UMass and Bowling Green, before the Michigan football schedule 2010 moves to the Big Ten. The Wolverines visit Indiana on October 2, then host in-state rival Michigan State on the 9'th. They have a difficult homecoming game against Big Ten favorite Iowa on the 16'th, then go to Happy Valley to visit Penn State on the 30'th.

To wrap up the Michigan football schedule 2010, the Wolverines host Illinois and go to Purdue, then have two make-or-break matches. Their bowl possibilities may rest on their November 20 home finale against Wisconsin, and their annual showdown with Ohio State the next week at Columbus. Last year, they failed their final tests, but they can't afford to do that this year.

The Wolverines have not faced this kind of dry spell in some time, and Rodriguez has forfeited much of his good will in the process. In the past, just getting to a bowl wasn't enough in Ann Arbor, but that has become the big goal this year. Whether it's enough to buy Rodriguez some more time is uncertain.

Despite their down period, Michigan football can still attract a large audience and a national spotlight. The proof comes today, as their schedule begins in front of a national audience, and an expanded Big House, at 3:30 pm on ABC.

Sources

Go Blue- "2010 Michigan Football Schedule"

Sports Page Magazine- "UConn hopes to Spoil Michigan Stadium Party"