Michigan coach urging patience as losses mount

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Rich Rodriguez wants people to have patience with him and his program, even if he doesn't.

The Wolverines (5-4, 1-4 Big Ten) lost a game they couldn't afford to at Illinois over the weekend, making Saturday's home game against Purdue (3-6, 2-3) very important.

If Michigan wins, it's eligible for a bowl after losing a school-record nine games in Rodriguez's debut season and missing the postseason for the first time in three-plus decades.

If the Wolverines lose, they will have a realistic chance from turning a surprising 4-0 start into a startling 5-7 flop with games remaining at Wisconsin and against Ohio State. How desperately does Rodriguez need a sixth win this week?

"Oh, it's not about me, it's about the team," the coach insisted Monday. "I think our team wants to win so we can get that sixth game and get that good feeling back.

"It's not life or death. It's an important ball game and as important as it is to everybody out there, I promise you, it's more important to the program and the guys in the program."

Rodriguez said that when he left West Virginia after the 2007 season to take over college football's winningest program, he expected to have success sooner.

When Rodriguez arrived in Ann Arbor, he discovered unexpected holes.

"Some of our issues did not occur overnight and will not be solved overnight," he said, sounding as if he was trying to explain the team's challenges without criticizing former coach Lloyd Carr. "Sometimes it takes a little longer than I would like or any of you like. I am less patient than any of you or any fans that we have, and we have great fans."

Rodriguez has been pleased with the backing he's gotten from Michigan president Mary Sue Coleman, the person who's opinion matters most.

"Mary Sue has been very supportive," he said. "Just about every week, she'll send a note. We talked a couple weeks ago very briefly."

Defensive end Brandon Graham, perhaps the only Wolverine having an outstanding season, said he expected to have share some brief thoughts with his teammates before they practiced Monday.

"It's all about your heart now," Graham planned to tell them.