Quite a week long stretch for Michigan head coach Rich Rodriguez, isn’t it?

Just in case you’re living in a bubble, let’s recap some of Rich Rod’s recent adventures…

Playing three quarterbacks during the opening week – check.

Referring to Michigan’s three-QB system as “neat” – check.

Having former players accuse you of overworking them in the form of more than 20-hours per week, which would be an NCAA violation – check.

Having the school administration investigate into the aforementioned allegations – check.

Being sued over a condo project – check.

And finally, through all those press conference tears, not even managing to pick up a TV endorsement from either Puffs Plus or Kleenex.

Chalk that up as one last painful check.

Coaches preach to the high heavens that a team never, ever looks ahead to a big game, but instead focuses on the current opponent.

Right, and Brutus the Buckeye has a tiny head.

For every hyped up “game of the year” such as Trojans vs. Buckeyes or Ohio State and Penn State, there’s a trap game lying in the weeds, ready to up and pounce on the college football world, sending shockwaves far and wide.  Take the following six-pack of examples, which could serve as trap games in the Big Ten for 2009…

Michigan Wolverines
Trap Game: Western Michigan (September 5th)

Stop eyeing the Irish the following week, Michigan – the Broncos (9-4 in 2008) are no slouch.  Western Michigan returns seven starters on offense in 2009, including QB Tim Hiller, who threw for 36

Dear Rich Rod,

There’s a realization that you and your brethren in maize and blue are confident that the incoming talent is overflowing from the sideline and soon to the goal line. Upon your slight delusions of grandeur, there’s an outpouring of music humming throughout camp – perhaps it goes something like this…

Come and dance on our floor....
Take a step that is new....
We've a lovable space that needs your face,
Three's company too.

Keep whistling that tune as you push towards an opening match with Western Michigan, where you will use three quarterbacks, freshman Tate Forcier, freshman Denard Robinson, and junior Nick Sheridan.

Only, three’s a crowd.

Maybe with four starts under his belt in ’08, you feel Sheridan has earned to take some snaps. Perhaps

Each season, a team earns a clean slate, and 2009 will be no different.  Whether a program likes it or not, everyone earns a reputation and a theme even before the season begins.

Call it a Big Ten preview set to music – featuring all eleven schools – and the theme song each should have blasting over the loudspeakers in the locker room this week. 

BIG TEN PREVIEW

Penn State Nittany Lions
“Secondary” – Brand New

“Secondary… And it comes down to you.”
The Nittany Lions have an extremely talented team in place for 2009, yet suffered major losses from last season on the o-line, at the wide receiver position, and in the secondary.  The offensive line has two anchors in place to help the others grow (Landolt and Wisniewski), while experienced

Put on that game face.  Football is coming.

I CAN’T HEAR YOU.

Aren’t you in pain from a summer of So You Think You Can Dance and America’s Got Talent?  Sure you are, but quit crying over that open wound left from excessive Gosselin gossip. 

RUB SOME DIRT ON IT.

College football is just a hair over two weeks away – a stone’s throw from a heck of an opener between #14 Oregon and #16 Boise State – on the “Smurf Turf”.  If the coma-inducing jerseys and field aren’t enough, just look at the talent and implications of game one, as the Ducks could easily challenge USC for the Pac-10, while the Broncos could be this year’s BCS darling.  Heck, one dream alone can be crushed before the opening weekend.

Can I get a “Statue

John Hughes was a genius, a one of a kind talent who blessed the world with comedic gems such as Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, National Lampoon’s Vacation, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, Mr. Mom, Planes, Trains & Automobiles, Home Alone, Uncle Buck and more.

Sadly, Hughes left the world prematurely after dying of a heart attack at age 59 just a few short days ago.  The writer/producer/director had ties with the city of Chicago, and the people who lived there loved him like they love deep dish pizza, the Wrigley Field ivy, Ozzie Guillen’s potty mouth and Big Ten football.

That’s where this piece comes in – to provide a Big Ten football tribute to the passing of John Hughes, by providing a list of famous quotes