Grade Michigan's 2012 season

Brady Hoke set a high standard for Michigan when he took the job, indicating that anything less than a Big Ten Championship is a disappointment.

While that is the right thing to say to the fan base, I can’t say I agree with the mindset.

Certainly Michigan is a team that should go into each season expecting to contend for the Big Ten title and be among the favorites to win it. But last season saw the Wolverines get 11 wins with no title. That is not a failure.

This season, Michigan again finds itself out of the running for the Big Ten title, but the season wasn’t a complete wash.

Unlike last year, I would say this season has been somewhat disappointing.

The Wolverines went 8-4, but three of their losses seemed like very winnable games.

Michigan could have beaten Notre Dame had it held on to the football.

It seemed that Michigan could have beaten Nebraska had Devin Gardner been prepared to backup an injured Denard Robinson. I wouldn’t say that the Wolverines definitely would have won that game, but the offense clearly would have been more productive than it was with Russell Bellomy at quarterback.

Against Ohio State, the game seemed to be Michigan’s for the taking, but a lack of adjustments on offense allowed the Buckeyes to squeak out a victory.

You can read more into Michigan’s season by the four losses than the eight wins. Truth is, Michigan failed to beat the good teams it faced this year. Of the eight wins, the best win seems to be against Northwestern (9-3), but it took a late miracle to get the win, and I don’t think many view the Wildcats as a nationally respected program.

Michigan did end the losing streak to Michigan State, which it needed to do, but the Spartans’ 6-6 record takes a little steam away from what that victory meant for the season outlook.

Overall, the offense wasn’t as explosive this season and the defense was just a shade worse than it was a year ago.

An 8-4 record is okay this year, but if Brady Hoke wants to live up to the standards he set when he took the job, things have to get better next year. The Big Ten was not that strong this season. There is no telling that it will be this weak again in the future.

Given the record and the quality of victories Michigan had, I give them a grade of a B-. I am hesitant to say C because Michigan still won eight games and could get a solid bowl victory. I don’t think the Wolverines deserved a B because of the lack of quality wins and the failure to make the Big Ten Championship Game.

What are your thoughts on Michigan’s season?

How would you grade Michigan's season

News and notes from Hoke's weekly press conference

Michigan coach Brady Hoke held his weekly press conference on Monday where he talked about the Wolverines’ loss to Nebraska. Here are some of the notes coming from what Hoke had to say.

- Michigan has Denard Robinson listed as its starting quarterback for Saturday’s game with Minnesota. Hoke said he should be fine and ready to go and he is expecting Robinson to practice all week.

- He said it was a nerve issue with Robinson and that his arm was tingly from the hit and that’s why he couldn’t play on Saturday. He was having trouble gripping the football. If Michigan played today Denard would be "close" to playing. They are looking into possibly adding some padding or protection for the arm.

- Hoke will give Devin Gardner more snaps during practice this week at quarterback just as a precaution. But the plan is still for Gardner to be at receiver this week. He said Gardner and Russell Bellomy will “compete” for the backup spot.

- When it came to Bellomy, Hoke said the team could have done a better job of picking up blitzes to help him out. He felt the experience Bellomy gained of playing in that environment on Saturday will help him greatly.

- Hoke said the team needs to do a better job from a football standpoint and that starts with him. He said the Wolverines need to play better in the red zone and they have to be able to run the ball in that area.

- Hoke called the Minnesota game important for many reasons. One, it is a division game. Two, to move past the loss. Three, because of the Little Brown Jug.

- Hoke said that Michigan has a lot to play for. They have four “guarantees” left.

- Hoke gave praise to Minnesota coach Jerry Kill. Said he respects him as a coach and even more as a man.