Brady Hoke’s Sorry Situation at Michigan Exacerbated By Big Stage

Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Was anyone really surprised? No. Michigan getting hammered by Michigan State for the second consecutive year was not only a non-shocker, it was expected. Michigan football has gotten to the point where being outclassed by their “Little Brother” is the status quo. Brady Hoke has gotten his team to this point.

Hoke has gotten Michigan to the point where it is a big deal that Michigan scored a single touchdown against the Spartans. That touchdown, which finally happened late in the fourth quarter and was their first against State since 2011, was legitimately cheered by many Michigan fans. Yes, Michigan fans been left to cheer on minor moral victories, and ones that are only notable because of the Wolverines’ futility, against their rivals.

Hoke has gotten Michigan football to the point that when they finally recover their first fumble of the year, at the Spartan 30, maize and blue fans were given the hope that at least Michigan would get a field goal attempt out of it. Well, Devin Gardner and Doug Nussmeier did just enough not to ruin their chance at a field goal. They didn’t gain a single yard on three plays; Matt Wile knocked in the 48 yard field goal.

Hoke has gotten this Michigan team to the point that players planted a stake on the Spartans’ field before the game as a statement. They then backed that statement up with an embarrassing 24-point loss. Hoke even had to apologize for the incident. At least he’s a Michigan man.

But finally Hoke has gotten to the point where it is clear who is to blame for the losing. “They did show up….they played their asses off, played as hard as they could,” Hoke told the media after the game. That’s as incriminating a statement as the actual game for Hoke. He’s right, the players haven’t given up. They still believe and have confidence (Stake-gate is some evidence of that), but they have been let down by the coaching staff. The most obvious thing one notices when watching this Michigan team is how Hoke and his coaching staff have been consistently outmatched. Whether it is poor clock and game management, a lack of any real offensive game-plan or a general feel that the players just aren’t prepared on game-day, Hoke has failed this team.

Chris Spielman went even further during the ABC telecast on Saturday, claiming that Hoke was not developing talent. He pointed to Mark D’Antonio’s ability to take low-level recruits and win, while Hoke has brought in elite recruits and failed. He’s right. Go look at Michigan’s last two recruiting classes and find players who are making a difference. It won’t be easy. Hoke’s top recruits have largely been ineffective, while the lower profile ones have failed to make names for themselves. There are few exceptions.

Michigan didn’t change the storyline at all in East Lansing this past weekend. It was known they were bad. All that happened was the Hoke’s ineptitude was put on a big stage, exacerbating the external frustration.

Michigan doesn’t lack heart and they don’t particularly lack talent. They lack a coach.

You can follow Alex Dale on Twitter @alexdalecfb