Mandel's Big Ten Outlook

SI.com’s Stewart Mandel has posted his Big Ten out and for Michigan fans it really doesn’t look good. Lets take a look at what Mandel thinks is going to happen with MSU and U of M.
How they’ll finish
Michigan State: 4-4 (conf), 8-4 (overall)
Michigan: 3-5 (conf), 6-6 (overall)
For Michigan State it would certainly be nice if they could have a winning record within the Big Ten but the reality is MSU is still a very mediocre team and beating Michigan this year (which they will do) isn’t saying much.
Michigan on the other hand is still a huge disappointment. Going 6-6 will get them to a bowl game but the Chik-Fil-A bowl or whatever you want to call it will not save Rich Rodriguez’s job. That may be good news for some if not most Michigan fans.
Impact Freshman
Mandel focuses on Michigan State LB William Gholston as the impact freshman this year in the Big Ten. Here is what he has to say about him…
The gifted 6-foot-7, 237-pound Gholston was the conference’s top-rated recruit last winter and just happens to fill an immediate need for the Spartans. MSU is looking for a third starting linebacker to go alongside All-American Greg Jones and veteran Eric Gordon. Gholston might not get the nod on opening day, but should become a frequent contributor, possibly as a hybrid rush-end whom coaches can use in certain blitz packages.
Coach on the Hot Seat
It is no surprise that he has UM Head Coach Rich Rodriguez on the hot seat. Here is what Mandel has to say about Rich Rodriguez…
While a transition period was inevitable after the former West Virginia coach replaced the retired Lloyd Carr, no one could have foreseen such a nightmarish two years both on the field and off it, where Rodriguez’s program stands accused of the school’s first-ever major NCAA violations. If the Wolverines reach a bowl and show they can compete with the league’s upper-echelon, Rodriguez will be fine. But another embarrassing finish will be too much for the administration to bear. Note: Illinois’ Ron Zook — coming off a 3-9 debacle — is on similarly thin ice.
Highlighted Games
Mandel highlights the UConn and Michigan game as an important non conference game mainly for Michigan. He focuses on this game simply because it could be the beginning of the big turnaround for the program or the beginning of the end for the Rich Rod era.
In terms of conference games Mandel highlights the MSU/UM game on October 2nd which he believes could be a benchmark for both programs.