Brady Hoke didn't mince words Monday when addressing reporters at the Big Ten Media Days festivities in Chicago.
"You can't win all of your games unless you win your first game," said Hoke, who opens the season against Appalachian State on Aug. 30.
Thanks to the guys at 247Sports, we have video of Hoke at the podium. Enjoy.
Peppers in the Nickel
TheWolverine's Michael Spath asked about Jabrill Peppers' place within the defense and if the plan remains the same: Peppers in the nickel.
"The plan hasn't changed" Hoke said. "But I think that we have to be careful when anointing true freshmen before they start their college career, but that's where he'll start."
O-Line
"Based on what has been during the course of the summer," Hoke said when asked about potential starting linemen. "We'll see where the pieces fit."
Drake Harris?
The early enrollee suffered a hamstring injury prior to arriving in Ann Arbor.
"He's fine," says Hoke.
Ty Isaac?
"We expect to him report Aug. 3," Hoke said. But he also mentioned that Isaac remains in pursuit of a hardship waiver--no news to report on that front, he says.
For the record, Fred Jackson, the running backs coach, told me that mid-August could be a timetable for more information.
Pressure?
Of course, Michigan needs to win more games and players have to develop, that's a given.
Hoke isn't rattled about all of that, and he says that making sure his players transform into graduates trumps anything else:
"We're doing everything that we can [for the players]," he said. "...Football only lasts so long," and the most important job is to "prepare those guys for life after football."
"That's the only pressure as a coach that I've ever felt."
Follow Maize 'n Brew's Adam Biggers on Twitter @AdamBiggers81