The Michigan Wolverines are set to unveil team number 135 this Saturday at high noon. After a disappointing 2013 season, college football's all time leader in wins look to re-establish the "Michigan Way"...which is to dominate the line of scrimmage, run the ball at will, and play sound defense.
All three of those things were lacking last year, putting head coach Brady Hoke squarely on the hot seat this season.
The win over Ohio State, and subsequent Sugar Bowl victory, have faded to the back of the minds of staunch supporters. And they have every right to feel that way. Michigan is all about Big Ten titles, high profile bowl games, and National Championships. That standard will never change...regardless of the length of the drought.
And the irony of all of this, Michigan's opening opponent is responsible for bringing Hoke to Ann Arbor in the first place. And they can also be the reason he goes.
Appalachian State.
In the 2007 opener, 5th ranked Michigan...fresh off an 11-2 season...lost to Division II App State. The fallout was severe. Head coach Lloyd Carr resigned at the end of what turned out to be a successful season, and the Rich Rodriguez era began.
As a Michigan fan...I must digress on the Rich Rod era.
Hoke came in shortly after, and immediately restored Michigan back to respectability. But now it's time for him to push the Wolverines back into the elite realm.
Senior qb Devin Gardner can do it all if given the protection, and an upgrade at the offensive coordinator position has the Maize and Blue optimistic. Player to player, this should be a blowout. Vegas seems to agree.
This game, because of the opponent, can be a perfect opportunity for coach Hoke to not only keep Michigan's post season hopes alive...but to also exorcise the demons of that September afternoon in 2007.
A loss...and well....we start all over again from the top.
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