Brady bounces Buckeyes

Brady Hoke does seem to be the real deal. I know I come off as a RichRod apologist, but I still think he should have been given one more year. But beating the Buckeyes is one way to endear yourself to the Michigan fanbase, and he wasted little time doing so. This was a game that had trap written all over it, as Ohio State is in a down year and a win in The Game was really the only thing that would salvage an otherwise humdrum season.

Denard was his typical dynamic self, producing five touchdowns through both rushing and passing, and it was still almost not enough as the Buckeyes always kept within striking distance all afternoon. I hate to be a downer, but I’d hate to wonder if this game would have gone the other way had it been played in Columbus.

With only two losses on the season, this was quite the statement to end a “return to glory” season for Michigan. Stupid loss to Iowa aside, it was a pretty convincing turnaround for the Wolverines and it appears that a New Year’s Day bowl game is on the horizon. There seems to be quite a clamor for a BCS bid, but I’m nervous that would be too much too soon for this team. I’d hate to lose some momentum from this season with another beatdown at the hands of a far superior team from the SEC.

Wherever the team ends up, it has been quite the coaching job for Hoke and it’s refreshing to see the increased focus on Michigan tradition that was lost during the previous regime. Unfortunately, buying a house this year will not allow me to attend the bowl game for the first time since 2003, breaking my streak of seven consecutive games.