Hokamania Update

Michigan is 6-0, following up last year's 5-0 start and 2009's 4-0 start. Those years finished 7-5 and 5-7 respectively. The prior two year's starts both included wins vs ND and beating IU to open B1G play. But this year, we have opened up B1G play 2-0. We are ranked 10th nationally. Can it stick?

I have no clue.

This is MSU week, and with the Spartans winning three straight, they are favored by 3 in Vegas to win their fourth straight in the series. Of course, this is unthinkable to me, but the risk is very, very real.

I think we have a good chance to win. Our defense is much improved and the offense has started to find its identity with the coaching change. State, on the other hand, has regressed from last year. With they are 4-1, they have looked weak at times, particularly at ND. Their defense has been a positive, but the offense was supposed to be strong and has been surprisingly inconsistent lead by QB Cousins- as a 3rd year starting senior, I would have expected more. But the season is not over and he can still salvage a trip to Indianapolis.

I truly believe we would have still had a decent season under RR, but you can't ignore the regression in defense and special teams under his command. Clearly he is an offensive minded coach, but there is no excuse for your defense to get worse and worse every year. This is Michigan for Godssake! I figured the defense would be better simply because of more experience, but RR had not proven this would be the case.

Under Hoke, the offense started out shaky. They seemed to have lost their identity playing half i-form and pro-style and half spread n shred. But after six games they seem to have ironed out those wrinkles playing more towards Dilithium's strengths. The rushing attach is one of the best in the country lead by Denard and I think if they can keep the passing attack simple for him he can improve as he did against N'western last week.

The defense has been the true surprise. We were just about dead last in passing defense last year, and I think we gave up an average of 40 points per game to close out the season. As mentioned, I expected some improvement because of experience (we returned just about everybody and gained Wolfolk back from injury) but that does not account for poor scheming and game plan by RR and GERG. Mattison and Hoke have gone back to basics (tackling, etc) and the turnovers have been in our favor, and with the adjustments made during the game (it seemed like even under LLLLLoyd we were out coached in the adjustment category), we are a MUCH improved defensive team. We no longer are required to score a TD on every offensive possession to stay in a game.

Remaining schedule:

@MSU - winnable, but will be tough

Purdue, home - easy win

@Iowa - should be a win

@Illinois - winnable, but will be tough

Nebraska, Home - winnable, but will be tough

Ohio, Home - win (no choice, must take advantage)

Summary of remaining schedule: 6-0 as of today, with all 6 remaining games winnable. Is this likely? No, but I have hoke. Vegas has us favored in all save MSU. Can we split? YES, which would put us at 9-3. I believe we can easily win 4 and get to 10-2 and possible put us vs WISC in indy.

At this point, I believe Hoke has returned Michigan to (potential) glory. As Ohio crumbles, Michigan rises. This is MICHIGAN.