Michigan Football: Breaking Down Odds Brady Hoke Suffers a Sophomore Slump

A lot of people sure seem to think that Michigan will disappoint in 2012. After going 11-2 in Brady Hoke's first season as head coach, will a sophomore slump be the result of playing a brutally hard schedule?

Many seem to think so, while others insist that this team will be able to overcome a tough schedule and still have success.

There is no question that this team will face adversity, but it will sure be interesting to see how they respond to it.

Brady Hoke's Critics

Brady Hoke haters are always going to have their reasons for why Michigan won't be successful. Most of those reasons will likely surround the tough schedule and the constant criticism of Denard Robinson.

They will state that Robinson still hasn't learned to throw the ball, which will cost Michigan at least a handful of games.

Is that really the case, though?

Fitz Toussaint's Pending Suspension

Nobody knows what the final verdict will be on Fitz Toussaint, but it is certainly an unfortunate situation either way. If he gets suspended for the Alabama game, most will chalk that one up as a definite loss.

If he is also out for the Air Force game, we are going to see a handful of people predict a loss for Michigan in that one as well.

I think an 0-2 start is unrealistic, but if Fitz Toussaint is out for the Notre Dame game as well, then things might not be looking too well...

Coaching Staff

This coaching staff is such a professional and veteran group, that there's no way this team will suffer a sophomore slump. It stretches way, way beyond Brady Hoke, and even Greg Mattison for that matter.

Mattison is as good as it comes doing what he does, and he is as professional as it gets. Honestly, I would not want anybody more than Greg Mattsion running this defense.

We'll see what Jerry Montgomery is made of when he takes on this mainly inexperienced defensive line, as he worked wonders with last year's group.

Curt Mallory also worked wonders with last year's secondary and is fortunate enough to have every single starter back.

Mark Smith improved the linebackers greatly last season, and he too, will have all three starters back.

This coaching staff is as good as it comes and won't accept anything but the best from these players.

Leadership

Does anybody really think that the seniors on Team 133 will really settle for anything less than a Big Ten title? Of course not.

After seeing how the seniors on Team 132 handled themselves, it is impossible not to have high expectations for this year's group.

It will not be easy saying goodbye on Nov. 17 to this group of seniors, as Denard Robinson, Roy Roundtree, Vincent Smith, Craig Roh, Kenny Demens and Jordan Kovacs are just a number of the many seniors that will play at the Big House for the last time.

I, along with many others, expect nothing less than a Big Ten title from this senior class.

Conclusion

Honestly, I think the notion of a "sophomore slump" is pretty ridiculous, especially from this team.

What evidence, other than a brutally hard schedule, does anyone have that could support this team being a big disappointment?

Michigan haters will continue to bash Robinson and come up with their own reasons, but a Big Ten title and Rose Bowl appearance is certainly expected from Team 133.