Hoke Discusses Expectations Heading Into Utah Game

By Ashley Dunkak
@AshleyDunkak

CBS DETROIT - This weekend Michigan hosts Utah (2-0), a team that has put up 115 points in its two games this season. Michigan head coach Brady Hoke knows the Wolverines - who have committed seven turnovers over their last two games - cannot give the Utes any extra opportunities Saturday.

Over three games, Michigan has struggled with giveaways. Currently, the Wolverines (2-1) rank 118th in the nation with a minus-five turnover margin.

"Turnover margin is one of the biggest indicators in the game of football, either at the National Football League level or college level in how you end up the season," Hoke said in his press conference Monday. "I think all those things with Utah and their explosiveness they have offensively, I think that's always going to be the factor, but I think it's a big factor in this game. I also really believe the special teams will be a big factor in this game."

Hoke has some notion of what to expect Saturday because of his past preparations for Utah when Hoke coached at San Diego State. Kyle Whittingham is in his 10th season as Utah's head coach.

"I just think he's always been an aggressive coach," Hoke said. "He's a defensive coach. We played him twice at San Diego State and got embarrassed at their place one year, played well the next year, but [their team was] always physical and always aggressive.

"They've always had skill on the offense – receivers, backs, quarterbacks were always pretty skillful, big up front," Hoke continued later. "On defense, very active, pressured us a bunch when we were at San Diego State."

While the offensive numbers of Utah draw a significant amount of attention, the team's defense has played well also, recording 21 tackles for loss in its first two games. Hoke attributed Utah's success in that area to the team's front as well as its blitzing, of which he expects more Saturday.

"In the first two games, probably haven't blitzed as much as they would like to for one reason or another," Hoke said. "I think we'll see more of that. I think if you get behind the sticks in third downs, you know you're going to get it."

The Wolverines rebounded from a devastating loss to Notre Dame with a win Saturday against Miami (Ohio), but Michigan left much to be desired, particularly in terms of ball security.

"On Devin [Gardner]'s [interception], the guy tips the ball and just tips it enough to change the trajectory a little bit," Hoke said. "Amara [Darboh], he's getting a first down, trying to get more yardage, yeah, we've got to tuck the ball away, and the one on the kicking probably is the one that we've got to do a good job coaching through it.

"Are we concerned about it?" Hoke added. "Yeah, we want to hold onto the ball, and we need to get more turnovers on defense."