ANN ARBOR - There is no escaping the youth movement at Michigan, but coach Rich Rodriguez can cut a few corners.

The struggling Wolverines host rival Michigan State today in a huge game for both teams, and UM has five freshmen listed as starters on offense. A sixth freshman spent most of the year on that list, but Rodriguez installed junior Brandon Minor at running back over Sam McGuffie.

Rodriguez made the move last week prior to the Wolverines' 46-17 loss to Penn State, and Minor responded with 117 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries.

"His knowledge of what we want offensively is probably greater than any running back we have on the team," Rodriguez said.

The Wolverines still have a freshman at quarterback (Steven Threet), center (David Molk), two receiver spots (Darryl Stonum and Martavious Odoms) and tight end (Kevin Koger). The only senior on offense is backup tight end Mike Massey, and the lone returning starter on the offensive line is sophomore right tackle Stephen Schilling.

McGuffie is UM's leading rusher and was a highly touted recruit, but he has suffered from the inexperience around him. He's averaging 65.7 yards per game and has often been thrown for losses on first and second downs that have killed drives.

Minor not only appears to be the more explosive straight-ahead runner (he's averaging 5.6 yards per carry), but he appears to have overcome his various injuries (hip, ribs) and fumbling problem.

Rodriguez is forced to stick with some of his freshmen while they learn on the job, but Minor's emergence has allowed the coach to give McGuffie a breather.

"I don't want to say [freshmen are] hitting a wall, but they're getting to a point where they've got midterms coming up in the middle of the semester," Rodriguez said. "Sometimes if [McGuffie] can, I don't want to say take a break, but if he doesn't have to be the focal point or be the guy all the time, I think it will be beneficial for us."

The Wolverines' defense isn't nearly as young and starts six seniors. Rodriguez praised them this week, saying, "All our seniors have been outstanding. I've been proud of them. They've been good leaders."

But many of those seniors are a part of a defense that's been burned by Illinois and Penn State in UM's last two Big Ten games. If the Wolverines are to recover from their 2-5 start, the defense's older and younger players will have to play better.

"It gets to the point where it's either correct it or get replaced," senior defensive tackle Terrance Taylor said. "I'm pretty sure the guys that need to fix things are going to fix it … especially for the seniors."

Taylor and his fellow classmen have never lost to Michigan State and have always qualified for bowl games - the latter something UM teams have done for 33 straight years.

A loss today not only snaps a string of six consecutive victories over the Spartans but also forces the Wolverines to have to win their final four contests to be bowl eligible.

"I remember my sophomore year … I wanted to play my heart out," Taylor said. "I have no doubt the guys that are still going to be here are going to play hard this game."

Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez and university officials signed a six-year deal worth at least $2.5 million per year yesterday.

Rodriguez had been working under a letter of intent since he was hired by UM in December.

Rodriguez is to be paid a base salary of $300,000 this year with annual increases determined through UM's salary merit program. He will receive $1.65 million per year in additional salary compensation and $550,000 annually for a retirement account.

The contract calls for varied additional compensation depending on which - if any - bowl game the Wolverines reach, including $300,000 for a victory in the BCS national championship. Additionally, the deal includes a $4 million mutual buyout clause if Rodriguez is fired or leaves voluntarily during the contract's first three years, a sum that decreases to $1.5 million by year six.

The agreement outlines for tax purposes the $2.5 million UM paid to West Virginia as part of the settlement package agreed to by Rodriguez and his former employer last summer.

Contact Joe Vardon at:

jvardon@theblade.com

or 419-410-5055.