Here's a take on the state of Michigan vs Michigan State football
Posted by
prayformojo (aka mayhem)
Jan 3 '14, 18:54
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I'm a Michigan fan feeling conflicted about Michigan State winning the Rose Bowl. Good for the Big Ten. But it hurts that it's MSU. My brother-in-law is going to rub this in my face for the next year now. What does Michigan need to do in order to be better than MSU and get back to the Rose Bowl? Is Brady Hoke the right coach for Michigan? (And if not, who is?)
-- Rob, Hudsonville, Mich.
I know the Wolverines suffered through some rough years under Rich Rodriguez, most notably a 3-9 campaign in 2008. But I'd imagine this season was more frustrating than just about any other. Hoke was supposed to be the coach to lead Michigan back to Big Ten and national prominence. Instead, the program badly regressed. Meanwhile, little-brother-no-more Michigan State not only continued its recent mastery of the Wolverines, but it also achieved a national breakthrough unlike any in the school's recent history. With coach Mark Dantonio and renowned defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi both re-upping, there's little reason to think that the Spartans -- who are now the winningest team in the Big Ten over the past six seasons -- won't remain an annual title contender. Michigan, on the other hand, just lost to Kansas State 31-14 in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl.
What's interesting about the contrast between the two programs is that it really underscores the importance of evaluation in recruiting. Michigan State built a 13-1 Rose Bowl champion with classes ranked in the 30s or 40s nationally. Some of its biggest stars, such as cornerback Darqueze Dennard, were once no-name recruits. Conversely, Hoke's biggest calling card to date has been his ability to lure high-profile national prospects like quarterback Shane Morris, running back Derrick Green and 2014 commit Jabrill Peppers. While many of Hoke's players are only now beginning to contribute, no one who watched the Wolverines play this season would guess that their roster was overflowing with former blue-chippers.
Hoke was the right coach at the time of his hire because a large portion of the fan base craved a true "Michigan Man" after RichRod's polarizing tenure. Whether Hoke is the right guy moving forward will depend on if he's willing to do some soul-searching about his staff and his program. I still believe he can be successful, but starting next season, he'll be in the same division as both Dantonio and Urban Meyer. Things aren't going to get easier.
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