Before we all jump on the Hoke bandwagon...

Submitted by ademock27 on

I was doing little research and realized that SDSU only beat two teams with winning records this year and both were service academies (Air Force, Navy).  The rest of SDSU's wins this past season came against teams with final records of 4-7, 2-10, 4-8, 1-11, 3-9, 3-9, and 2-11.  After seeing this, my excitement  from this afternoon's press conference vanished. 

I still will support any man who is the coach of Michigan, but this has caused me to revert back to pre-press conference feelings of uncontrollable nervousness.  That said, Go Blue!!

AAB

January 12th, 2011 at 11:51 PM ^

according to Sagarin, SDSU had the 91st toughest schedule in the country last year going into their bowl game, despite playing Missouri, Utah, TCU, and Air Force.

Seth9

January 13th, 2011 at 12:08 AM ^

 

Sagarin's schedule strength ratings are determined by estimating the likelihood that an average team would win 50% of its games against the schedule. SDSU played six games against terrible teams, which greatly reduced their schedule strength based on Sagarin's rating system. This type of system, incidentally, heavily emphasizes the middle-tier teams of one's schedule. A system that determined schedule strength through a method that gave equal weight to every team would probably look upon SDSU more favorably.

dieseljr32

January 12th, 2011 at 11:53 PM ^

You're not telling the whole story.

They lost to Missouri by only 3.

They beat Air Force.

They lost to TCU by only 5.  TCU beat Wisconsin as we all know.

And they lost to Utah by only 4.

His team was competitive in each loss.  That's like saying that you don't really like Belein that much because even though he's having a good season his team couldn't beat the 4th ranked Syracuse only losing by 3, couldn't beat Kansas because we lost in OT, and couldn't beat OSU but only lost by 4.

Why can't we jump on the bandwagon?  Do we really want to go through the same problems we had with Rich Rod? 

ademock27

January 12th, 2011 at 11:57 PM ^

we shouldnt support Hoke.  I for one will support him.  I posted this because it seemed as everyone was going crazy (in a negative way) about him being hired and then after the press conference, it seemed as if the entire fan base did a 180.  I guess I was just trying to bring some rationality to the situation.

slblue

January 13th, 2011 at 12:04 AM ^

I don't understand.  We should not "jump on the bandwagon" because of Hoke's record at  . . .SDSU, that traditional football powerhouse?  Come on, please.  He has done really well at really bad places.  How do you think UM would have done this year against TCU and Mizzou with our defensive situation.  And as Coach said, "this is Michigan for God's sake."

Don

January 13th, 2011 at 4:25 AM ^

Being a passionate fan and "rationality" have always been at odds, at any school, in any era. Sitting in a freezing or roasting stadium screaming your lungs out for your team when it's down by three touchdowns late in the fourth quarter and playing poorly while doing so is hardly a "rational" act. That's a big part of what makes it fun.

ShockFX

January 13th, 2011 at 12:03 AM ^

Did I miss the memo where the 2nd half of games doesn't count?  I'm 99% sure SDSU had the ball with a chance to take the lead in the 4th Q.

NateVolk

January 13th, 2011 at 12:46 AM ^

According to what board?  Everyone I read on this board save a few guys were extolling those second halfs as evidence of this other world offense.

If it will make everyone who can't let it go and look to the future happy: Rich got screwed here. He was the best coach in the country. He inherited lousy players thanks to Lloyd Carr. He deserved a 4th year because he won 7 games. The defense wasn't his fault.

You guys were right all along. Brandon doesn't know shit about football because he fired a coach on the cusp of winning big in 2011.

Now that all the points are conceded and those critical of Rich can be hunted down, and hung upside down in the town square, let's get down to the business of a completely different Michigan from the last 3 years.  If Hoke wins, we'll admit it was all because of the restocking of talent from Rich. However everyone wants it.

I'd whether win than be right at this point.

yoopergoblue

January 13th, 2011 at 12:55 AM ^

You are using the other side of the argument that ardant rich rod supporters would use all the time after we made it a somewhat respectable game near the end of our games against Iowa, MSU, and Penn State.  Many people would say that it was too little too late and that the opposing team had let their foot off the gas, but not you guys!  Now you are saying that SDSU was getting clobbered at the half, but only made it close in the end.  Unbelieveable!.......

SAvoodoo

January 12th, 2011 at 11:53 PM ^

Damnit, I can't keep all this bandwagon stuff straight.  Every time I look it's "put your left hand in" or "take your left hand out" or "put your left hand in and shake it all about". I can't keep doing this and turning myself all about...unless of course that is what it's all about, then I'm fine with it.

wlubd

January 12th, 2011 at 11:56 PM ^

Good reminder to not get drawn in by smoke and mirrors. Off the field, he seems like a great guy and I genuinely enjoyed watching today's presser.

But on the field is where it ultimately matters and those reservations that you, and I and others have are going to exist until proven wrong. I welcome being proven wrong though...

All_In_For_Michigan

January 13th, 2011 at 12:31 AM ^

You're absolutely right.  Hoke will have fewer distractions than RR due to the relationship with the fanbase and media that is clearly going to be less strained than it has been the past three years.  However, the only good that can provide is if it leads to more winning.  A smoother relationship with former players and boosters has not and will never be a substitute for winning.

Dave Brandon clearly felt that Hoke is qualified for the job, and he does not deserve a pass due to his lack of experience as a BCS coach.  I will definitely be cheering like crazy at every game next year.  But until Hoke starts performing in the areas where RR failed, confident and inspiring talk will not have me convinced we are immediately on track for greatness again.

BlueNote

January 12th, 2011 at 11:58 PM ^

that all their losses were close.  They lost to TCU by 5.  Missouri by 3.  Utah by 4.  Those are all quality (I believe ranked) teams. 

Apparently they got some bad calls in at least a couple of the losses at the end of the games. 

So I'm sure you could spin it the other way too. 

orobs

January 13th, 2011 at 12:04 AM ^

dont overlook close losses.  If Michigan had lost its 6 games by a margin of <7 points each, I am fairly confident that Rich Rod would still be rocking out to Groban in Schembechler Hall

marlon

January 13th, 2011 at 12:20 AM ^

Yes, let's all be sheeple and agree that nothing can go wrong when Dave Brandon, the GREAT Dave Brandon, is at the helm.  No, Dave Brandon couldn't have botched one of the most important coaching searches in Michigan history by hiring a no-name coach when far better alternatives were available.  Not the GREAT Dave Brandon.

WolvinLA2

January 13th, 2011 at 12:14 AM ^

Seriously, why does them being service academies make them bad? Navy has been a solid team for a few years, and Air Force was in the top 25 for much of the year.

Also, Hoke won a bowl at SDSU. The last coach to do that did so in the late 60's. The last coach to do that at Michigan was not RR. And Hoke won big. Let's not pretend that's a small feat.

jmblue

January 13th, 2011 at 12:02 AM ^

Before Hoke got there, SDSU hadn't posted a winning season since 1998.  For a decade, it didn't matter whom they played - they lost, period.  He changed that.  And it's worth noting as well that their four losses (all to winning teams) were by a combined 15 points, so it's not like they feasted on cupcakes and got exposed by strong opponents.

aaamichfan

January 13th, 2011 at 12:05 AM ^

If you're going to constantly bitch about Hoke being our coach, you're not a Michigan fan. 

Go root for fucking Sparty.