Back to their roots; bad news for Purdue

Maybe it was the opponent more than anything that left such a bitter taste in my mouth after the Wolverines lost their first game, a game I felt they could win up until the last minutes.  I was hoping for a repeat of the Notre Dame final performance, it just didn’t happen.  It was such a bad feeling all I could think about was the next opportunity to win a big rivalry game.  Don’t get me wrong; losing stinks no matter the opponent, it’s just far worse when it comes at the hands of a rival.  

Detroit News Photo

I’ve had a bye week to think about it, read about it and even watch some clips.  With a week and a half since the loss in East Lansing, I certainly don’t feel better about the outcome, but I do feel good about this team.  A week ago I would have been willing to squander every game between now and the meeting against that pro-team from Columbus because a loss there would double that bitter taste.  

Not the case anymore.

It’s over the course of the last few days that I’ve been able to put things into perspective and at the end of the day you have to recognize this team has come a long way in a really short time.  Brady Hoke and his staff have worked miracles in changing the culture, changing the offensive scheme, and revamping the defense in a matter of weeks and months.  His passion for Michigan goes well beyond his contract because here is a guy who signed on to be the head coach of a program adrift without even knowing what the job paid.  Admittedly this was his dream job, not because of the clout it would earn him, rather because he genuinely loves this school and its traditions, primarily leadership.

It made even more sense to me reading Michael Rosenberg’s column this week about how the team wouldn’t slip in the second half of the season because of the atmosphere these coaches established and maintain.  In my previous blog I would have buggered off every game but the one on Nov. 26; purely an emotional fan-response to a disappointing loss. 

Detroit Free Press Photo

There is no way this Wolverine team can let off the gas on anyone between now and the end of November.  These kids have bought into everything Hoke has established and they are working hard.  Mark Snyder’s column this week goes into detail on the adjustments and effort from the players and coaches.  There is no reason they shouldn’t stomp the thunder out of Purdue and Iowa on their way to knocking Illinois down a rung.  They’ll have their hands full with Nebraska but who knows where they’ll be when that one rolls around because there is a lot of growth opportunity between now and then. 

That’s the piece I think I was missing.  After losing two weeks ago I’ve noted the team’s demeanor through the media and atmospherics from those close to the team and the feeling I get is ‘determined’.  Michigan State exposed some weaknesses with their very capable defense and a little help from Mother Nature.  As much as many analysts talk about the Spartan’s run-game, I’d still call it a draw with the Michigan defense.  True, the Wolverines got gashed a bit but they dished out some hurt of their own, making some timely stops and creating some turnovers that gave the offense a chance.

This has given Hoke and his staff the perfect opportunity to show what leadership is, especially because they did get knocked down a bit and need to get back up.  They are putting int he work and making the adjustments.

Our Australian General spoke at a dinner here in Afghanistan the other night with a group of senior enlisted and he focused on leadership.  There were three key points he talked to us about that a Soldier must understand and emulate to be a good leader.

1.  A leader must be professionally competent; an expert in their craft.  You can never stop learning because it’s an ongoing process.

2.  Anyone can lead when times are easy but a good leader must have a robustness of spirit that picks others up and a resiliency that gets you through stress when you’re tired and cold. 

3.  A leader must understand the big picture and how it all fits together – but he must also teach his followers to see that big picture as well.  Only then can you all go after the same goal in a deliberate and coordinated way.

Those are points a general made to his troops in Afghanistan but probably sound familiar to the men in Brady Hoke's locker room.  That’s exactly the path the Wolverines need to stay on, one that Brady Hoke began months ago, if they are to meet their potential and achieve their season goals.  One bump shouldn’t take away all they’ve done to this point, nor should it hinder them from reaching their objectives.  

Al Borges has the right of it in looking at the problems and fixing them as they go, not panicking or throwing his offensive line under the buss.  They will all improve and in large part because they have great leaders in their coaches and in their players.  

Denard Robinson may have had one of his worst games ever but I bet he’s grinning today, picking up his teammates at practice.  I’m willing to wager the Will Heininger laying the wood to folks this week as he continues to be one of the team’s best defensive players.  You can be sure that Brady Hoke is continuing to share his vision that this is a road of one game at a time to the big finale. 

This team would have had a hard time getting back up but these leaders have something to show the rest of the nation, that a Wolverine is ferocious, tenacious and methodically resilient. 

Not such good news for Purdue.  

Week eight prediction from fans in Afghanistan:    Michigan over Purdue  34-6