Michigan Football: Will Brady Hoke's Offense Take on a "Multiple" Look?

When Rich Rodriguez came to Ann Arbor in 2008, he brought with him a spread-option offense.

He was determined to implement it immediately, even though the current Michigan football players weren't a perfect fit.

When Brady Hoke arrived in January, he was definitely set on switching to a pro-style offense.

Some Michigan fans may question the transition, saying it will take a few years for Hoke to assemble the right players for the job.

The biggest concern rests with quarterback Denard Robinson's new role. Hoke is planning for the junior quarterback to run the offense from under center, and throwing the ball from inside the pocket. The fullback and tailback will play a major role in the running game.

Hoke understands there will be growing pains, but unlike his predecessor, he knows what Robinson's feet bring to the table.

"There's no question you take the production he can give you," Hoke said at Thursday's Big Ten Media Day. "Believe me, we're smart enough not to put a square peg in a round hole. There are things he (Robinson) does awfully well that we'll still have in the system."

Running the ball is of course one of them. In fact, he led the Big Ten in rushing last fall from the quarterback position with 1,702 yards and a 6.6 yards-per-carry average. His passing yardage, while throwing often on the run and sometimes under pressure, was certainly adequate at 199 yards per game. 

Wolverines Need a Power Runner

How much Hoke turns Robinson loose depends on how quickly the Wolverines can manufacture a power running game. John McColgan, the incumbent fullback, has never carried the ball, while Stephen Hopkins, the leading candidate at tailback, had only 37 carries for 151 yards all season.

Michael Cox, Vincent Smith, Michael Shaw and Fitz Toussaint will challenge Hopkins. There's even a pair of freshmen, Thomas Rawls and Justice Hayes, who might compete.

For good reason, the discussion still turned back to Robinson's potential carries.

"We want to utilize Denard's talents and what he can do, but at the same time we want to be able to push the ball down the field," Hoke added, "by throwing the ball and finding a tailback who can run the ball." 

Players To Watch List

Robinson, who won the Chicago Tribune Big Ten MVP trophy in 2010, has been named to the inaugural Big Ten football "Players to Watch" list. The list was selected to recognize the following players during preseason: 

Legends Division

Denard Robinson, QB, Michigan

Kirk Cousins, QB, Michigan State

Jared Crick, DT, Nebraska

Lavonte David, LB, Nebraska

Dan Persa, QB, Northwestern 

Leaders Division

Nathan Scheelhaase, QB, Illinois

Damarlo Belcher, WR, Indiana

Mike Brewster, C, Ohio State

John Simon, DT, Ohio State

Michael Mauti, LB, Penn State

Montee Ball, RB, Wisconsin

James White, RB, Wisconsin