Michigan Football: Adjustments Wolverines Must Make on Bye Week

Brady Hoke has survived a month of national criticism that reached a blistering crescendo after the mishandling of Shane Morris’ head injury.

Michigan miraculously rebounded under the lights vs. Penn State and now heads into a much-needed bye week to prepare for a key rivalry game on the road against Michigan State.

For years, the Spartans had been on the losing end of this rivalry, but things have dramatically changed. As Michigan has fallen on hard times, Michigan State has risen to be a national power, winning five of the last six meetings.

Hoke should be lauded for holding his team together under the intense scrutiny, but it will be a monumental challenge to beat Michigan State.

Here are the adjustments Hoke will need to make to get his team ready for Oct. 25.


Take a Break

Wave upon wave threatened to crush Michigan while it was stuck on the shoals of an 0-3 run that included losses to Utah, Minnesota and Rutgers. The pressure was intense as Michigan struggled to save its season. The first thing Hoke needs to do is give his team a much-needed break.

He acknowledged the pressure during the Penn State postgame press conference: "…I don’t [know] if many football teams could…persevere like they have and stay together like they have, and so I give those kids a lot of credit in that locker room."

Hoke said that the team will return to practice on Tuesday and Wednesday, but "most of it will be getting back to fundamentals and techniques."

A few light practices would give his team an important mental and physical break to prepare for Michigan State.


Heal

Michigan has been hammered by the injuries this season. Hoke won’t talk about it directly, dodging injury questions unless someone is out for the entire season, like in the case of running back Derrick Green.

Tony Ding/Associated Press

Players out for an indeterminate amount of time include defensive back Jabrill Peppers, defensive tackle Willie Henry, offensive lineman Erik Magnuson, linebacker Desmond Morgan, defensive tackle Ondre Pipkins, receiver Jehu Chesson and probably Morris.

It wouldn’t be surprising to see one or more of these players back for Michigan State. Hoke needs all the healthy players on deck for his team’s biggest challenge of the season.

And then there’s the leg injury that quarterback Devin Gardner suffered vs. Penn State. He returned to the game and said afterward that he’d be ready for Michigan State but left the stadium in a walking boot.

Gardner clearly is the only hope at quarterback this season—his backups have played poorly. Although at least this week Russell Bellomy was able to find his helmet when summoned to go in the game for Gardner. 


Position Changes

Michigan is in desperate need of help at running back and receiver.

Green's injury has left De’Veon Smith as the primary back on offense, and the results against Penn State were underwhelming: 12 carries for 24 yards.

Justice Hayes has been plugging away as the third-down back, but the team needs some help for Smith on the earlier downs. The best option is to switch Dennis Norfleet to running back.

Receiver is a harder position to fill. The answer may not be to change players but more of a switch where the current players are lining up.

Devin Funchess and Jake Butt could both be moved inside to try and create matchup problems. Either Michigan State double-teams one or the other, leaving Michigan with a good matchup on the outside for Amara Darboh or Freddy Canteen.

Trickeration

Struggling teams need trick plays to overcome superior opponents. It’s time for offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier to embrace Michigan’s underdog status (3-4) and go for broke.

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

The Spartans have been known for trick plays under coach Mark Dantonio, but now Michigan needs to turn the tables on its in-state rival.

Maybe there’s a reason that Hoke banishes the media from practice. Perhaps he has something cooking for when his team visits East Lansing. It’s been a while (2007) since the Wolverines brought back the Paul Bunyan Trophy from a trip to East Lansing.

The Spartans are in the hunt for a national championship—they have no time to trifle with a 3-4 Michigan team. Michigan State wants to deliver a beatdown that knocks the Wolverines out by halftime and makes a national statement for the polls.

Hoke will need to dig deep into the playbook to keep the Spartans from running away with this one.

Phil Callihan is a featured writer for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotations obtained firsthand.

Follow @PSCallihan