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Rich Rodriguez and the Michigan Wolverines had a good week.
Finally.
It's hard to settle on the best news for Rodriguez and his team.
The embattled coach and college football's winningest program escaped severe NCAA punishment, beat Illinois 67-65 in a triple-overtime thriller and finally became bowl-eligible in his third topsy-turvy season.
''I'm really proud of the players handled everything,'' Rodriguez said. ''They've kept a laser focus with all the outside drama.''
As soon as Rodriguez left his news conference, he was greeted by bowl representatives from the Capital One and Little Caesars Pizza Bowl.
If the Wolverines (6-3, 2-3) lose Saturday at Purdue (4-5, 2-3), next week against Wisconsin and on the road against rival Ohio State, they might have to settle for a bowl in Detroit. If Michigan can win at least another game, it will likely earn a trip to a warmer climate.
''We've talked about it and thought about it,'' Rodriguez said. ''You've got to get to six to be bowl-eligible, then every win after that elevates your bowl status.''
Rodriguez and Michigan's football program won't be able to shake the stigma of major NCAA violations. But athletic director Dave Brandon said the governing body vindicated the coach to a degree with its decision to not harshly penalize Rodriguez or the school for rules regarding practice and training.
''The situation is over,'' Brandon said.
The Fighting Illini (5-4, 3-3) will have three chances to become bowl eligible - hosting last-place Minnesota on Saturday, playing at Northwestern next week and Dec. 4 at Fresno State - after a heartbreaking setback at the Big House.
''It's tough, I feel bad for the kids,'' coach Ron Zook said. ''They had a great plan on offense and we couldn't slow them down. Our team did the same thing. We had a great plan and their defense couldn't slow us down.''
Illinois knocked Denard Robinson out of the game in the third quarter - after he threw for a career-high 305 yards, three touchdowns and an interception - with concussion-like symptoms.
Robinson's status for this week's game against the Boilermakers in a matchup of seventh-place teams is in doubt.
''I'm not a doctor, so I don't know,'' Rodriguez said.
