Sugar Bowl 2012: 5 Keys for a Michigan Wolverines Victory over Hokies

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The Michigan Wolverines, under first-year head coach Brady Hoke, were one of college football's biggest surprises in 2011. Starting the season unranked after three subpar years under Rich Rodriguez in which the Wolverines struggled to win games in the Big Ten.

Brady Hoke was named Michigan's next head man this past offseason despite the fact that many Maize and Blue faithful would have preferred Jim Harbaugh or Les Miles. To many, including myself, the unproven Hoke was the third or fourth best man for the job.

Well, he may not have been the sexy pick or the most popular choice, but there's no doubt that Coach Hoke is the right man to lead Michigan football into the future and back to its rightful place of national prominence.

Under the guidance of Hoke and his staff, Michigan has shown consistent improvement on both sides of the ball, especially on defense. The coaches have shown that they are willing to be flexible to accommodate Denard Robinson's skill set on offense, and Michigan is playing with more confidence and fire than it has in years.

While losses to Michigan State and Iowa were hard to swallow, the Wolverines bounced back each time and showed resilience and mental toughness that lacked under Rodriguez. Even with those two losses, the Wolverines went 10-2 and finished the regular season at No. 13 in the BCS standings.

As a result of a great regular season put together by Hoke and the Wolverines, Michigan will be playing in a BCS bowl for the first time since 2006. The Wolverines will attempt to win a BCS bowl for the first time since the 2000 Orange Bowl.

As of right now, the Wolverines are slightly favored to beat the Virginia Tech Hokies in the 2012 Sugar Bowl to be held on Jan 3 in New Orleans at 8:30 pm, Eastern Time. If Michigan is able to come out on top this Tuesday, it will be a sweet finale to what has been a magical season.

This is going to be a tightly contested game, and Michigan will have to play a mistake-free game if the Wolverines want to end the season on a high note.

What does Michigan need to do to notch a big win for itself and the Big Ten Conference this bowl season?

Let's start with...

5. No Special Teams Mistakes

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Special teams is one area where the Wolverines have sometimes struggled and where the Hokies almost always excel. Beamer Ball is predicated on two things—defense and special teams.

I don't have a stat to back this up, but it always seems like Beamer's teams always come up with a huge special teams play when the Hokies need it the most. That's what Virginia Tech is known for, and a big special teams play by the Hokies could very well be the difference in what is expected to be a close game.

It's concerning that freshman Matt Wile could take over for a struggling Will Hagerup, but I don't think that's too likely. Brendan Gibbons is also just 10 of 14 on field goal attempts with one blocked field goal.

Knock on wood, but the Hokies haven't blocked a field goal or punt all season.

4. Win the Time of Possession

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It's important that Michigan dictates the pace of the game against Virginia Tech.

The Hokies defense was pushed around a little by Clemson, and the Wolverines have the play-makers on offense to do some of the same things in the Sugar Bowl.

One of Virginia Tech's strengths is its defense, but the Hokies are inexperienced on that side of the ball as well—starting just one senior. Michigan can rely on the experience of Robinson, Junior Hemingway, Kevin Koger, and Fitzgerald Toussaint to move the chains and control the tempo.

The Hokies average 28.5 points per game and are on offense for about 34 minutes per game. The Wolverines average 34.2 points and just under 32 minutes per game.

By sustaining drives and coming away with touchdowns instead of field goals, Michigan can take a lot of the pressure off its defense.

3. Run, Run, Run the Ball

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The best way to sustain drives and control the time of possession is to establish the ground game early and often.

Whether it's Toussaint, Robinson, or someone else, Michigan should get close to 50 rush attempts in the game. The Wolverines average just over 44 attempts per game this season.

Establishing the run will help the offensive line win the battle up front and will wear down the Hokie defense. Running will also lull the defense to sleep and cause the safeties to cheat up so that the Wolverines can take some shots down the field.

The Wolverines have depended on the run all season, and they've struggled when Denard has had to throw the ball and become more one dimensional.

It will be essential for Michigan to pound the ball to win the time of possession if they are going to come out on top in the Sugar Bowl.

Just FYI, Michigan was outrushed in both of its losses, and the Wolverines averaged about 100 yards on the ground in both of those games. That's far less than half of their season average of 235.7.

2. Stick with Denard Robinson

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There have been times when Brady Hoke has pulled Robinson in favor of Devin Gardner for no apparent reason. I'm not talking about when Denard takes a hit and has to leave the game.

Sometimes it seems like Hoke just pulls his starter out just for the heck of it—sometimes when the Wolverines are marching right down the field. I just don't get it.

Denard Robinson is the most dynamic player on the Michigan roster. He's the unquestioned leader of the team, and he gives Michigan the best chance to win, period. Barring injury, it is beyond me why anyone would think it was a good idea for him to ever be subbed out of a game in favor of Gardner.

Even if he's struggling, Robinson has the ability to turn it around with one play. So, none of this subbing in and out stuff.

Stick with Denard!

1. Win the Turnover Battle

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Robinson has thrown 14 interceptions this season, but he did not throw a pick against Ohio State. That was the first time he didn't throw one since Oct. 1 against Minnesota, and it was only the third clean passing game he had all season.

On the bright side, Michigan has lost just six fumbles all season and is plus-six in turnover margin this season. Oddly enough, the Hokies have also forced six more turnovers than their opponents this year.

Ask anyone who knows anything about football, and they'll tell you that turnovers are one of the most crucial stats when it comes to wins and losses.

That will be no different when the Hokies and Wolverines clash in the 2012 Sugar Bowl.