Michigan Football: Latest Sugar Bowl News and Updates

No. 13 Michigan (10-2, 6-2) and No. 11 (11-2, 7-1) will meet for the first time at the 78th Sugar Bowl in New Orleans Jan. 3. Kickoff is slated for 8:30 p.m. EST and the game will be televised by ESPN.

The two teams received invitations to the prestigious BCS bowl game—not necessary as rewards for banner seasons—but frankly because of their their ability to sell tickets.

This is not to say the teams were also-rans.  Michigan finished second to Michigan State in the expanded Big Ten's Legends Division. Most importantly, the Wolverines rebounded from three unmentionable seasons under coach Rich Rodriguez. Brady Hoke took over in January and has already righted the ship. 

The Hokies worked their way into the ACC championship game, only to lose for the second time this season to Orange Bowl-bound Clemson.

The oddsmakers have Michigan listed as early two-point favorites. 

Let's look at the latest news and notes for the upcoming Michigan-Virginia Tech matchup.   

Molk, Hoke Add to Trophy Cases

Senior center David Molk and head coach Brady Hoke have received postseason awards.

Molk has earned the prestigious Rimington Award, which goes to the nation's best center. A starter at center for every game the last two seasons, Molk has also been named to the Walter Camp and Football Writers Association of America All-America teams.  Molk was also named to the All-Big Ten first team.

Hoke, in his first year as Michigan's head coach, has won both Big Ten Coach of the Year awards. He grabbed both the Dave McClain media award and the inaugural Hayes-Schembechler coaches award, which honors the two Big Ten icons.

Hoke is also a finalist for the Liberty Mutual FBS Coach of the Year Award. Fans can vote for one of 10 nominees. Click on vote to be linked to the official ballot.

Robinson Fought Through More Than Aches and Pains

It's no secret that Denard Robinson played with a variety of minor injuries during the 2011 season. Most noticeable was his right hand, which he often shook on his way off the field.

Very few knew about the painful staff infection which he endured during midseason. Robinson and coach Brady Hoke kept the illness away from the press until this past week.

"It affected me a lot in the games and practice," Robinson told the Detroit Free Press. "But I kept pushing it because I knew my teammates would do the same for me, so I had to be accountable." 

"He had a staph infection," Coach Hoke added. "He had a lot of different problems he went through during the course of the season. His elbow, his hand. He had an abdominal problem. He's a tough guy. He played with it. He was so much healthier (late) and more confident at the same time."

Hopefully, Robinson didn't read his press clippings during the season. The junior quarterback had a rough time throwing the ball, and his detractors were quick to mention it.

One wonders if keeping the situation quiet did more harm than good.  

Wolverines Back on Practice Field

The 14 Michigan senior starters finally defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes for the first time in their careers. Those who were redshirted along the way will get an opportunity to win another bowl game. 

Who can forget Michigan's exciting 41-35 victory over Urban Meyer and Tim Tebow in the 2008 Capital One Bowl. It was quite a going-away present for retiring coach Lloyd Carr.

A win over Virginia Tech will be icing on the cake for new coach Brady Hoke, who has turned the Wolverines from pretenders to contenders in less than a season.

Who would have thought the Wolverines would be riding a three-game winning streak into a BCS bowl game?

Michigan was back on the practice field Dec. 9 in preparation for the meeting with the Hokies in New Orleans.  The extra two weeks of practice is not only a reward for the veterans, it's a big help to the younger players who will be vying for playing time next fall.

C David Molk, RT Mark Huyge, TE Kevin Koger, WR Junior Hemingway, WR Martavious Odoms, WR Kelvin Grady, RB Michael Shaw and FB John McColgan are 2011 offensive starters who will be playing their final game for Michigan.

On defense, NT Mike Martin, DT Will Heininger, DE Ryan Van Bergen, LB Brandon Herron, S Troy Woolfolk and LS Tom Pomarico would love to finish their Michigan careers with a bowl victory.   

Sugar Bowl Invitation a Plus for Recruiting

The recruiting scene will quiet down in about a week, as the NCAA prohibits face-to-face contact between coaches and recruits during the bowl season (Dec. 19 through Jan. 3).

It looks like the Wolverines have five, maybe six spots left in what has become a great 2012 class. 

A dream finish would include running back Bri'onte Dunn, offensive tackle Jordan Diamond, cornerback Yuri Wright and wide receivers Stefon Diggs, Jehu Chesson and possibly Jordan Payton. And while we're at it, maybe Santa could send along defensive tackle Aziz Shittu, tight end Sam Grant and offensive guard Alex Kozan. 

Dunn just finished an official visit to Ohio State this past weekend and will be in Ann Arbor this weekend, reports scout.com.

Chesson, who made his official visit to Michigan during Ohio State weekend, may decide before Christmas.

Although they will be termed unofficial visits, look for a few of the recruits to be in New Orleans. 

National signing day is February 1. 

Hoke Earns $125,000 Bonus

While Brady Hoke should be excited over the $125,000 bonus he earned for leading Michigan into an upper-eschelon bowl game, he ought to fork over some of that to his coordinators.  A big chunk should probably go to defensive coordinator Greg Mattison, who brought Michigan from 108th in scoring defense in 2010 (35.23 points per game) to seventh in 2011 (17.17 points per game).

Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon, who hired Hoke back in January, knows the Big Ten title was the real goal.

"I'm not disappointed at all, because I think my coach did a great job," Brandon told the Detroit News. "My coach is disappointed. He knows we were a couple plays away in both those games (losses at Michigan State and Iowa) from being in a situation where we'd have been down in Indianapolis (playing in the Big Ten championship game), and that's where he believes we belonged, and I love him for that."