Rodriguez says Michigan is playing too many kids

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Michigan is struggling again and coach Rich Rodriguez knows it.

Michigan raised expectations by winning its first four games of the season. But it has lost four straight Big Ten games.

Rodriguez says the Wolverines are playing too many freshmen.

The Wolverines become bowl-eligible with a sixth win Saturday at home against Purdue, which has won just three times.

Rodriguez said Monday that the game is important. He says his players lost confidence in a 38-13 loss at Illinois on Saturday.