Michigan football coach Brady Hoke and the Wolverines are off to a 6-0 start.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

Brady Hoke and the Michigan football team take a 6-0 record to East Lansing on Saturday to face Michigan State (Noon, ESPN).

So don't expect a lot of questions today at the weekly press conference about the Michigan defense's six scoreless quarters in the last two games. Or the rise in the national rankings.

Not when Michigan State has won three consecutive games against Michigan. Not when previous Michigan coaches Rich Rodriguez, Lloyd Carr, Gary Moeller, Bo Schembechler and Bump Elliott all lost their first game against Michigan State.

Hoke will start talking at 12:30 p.m. We'll update this story throughout the press conference.

THE PRESS CONFERENCE

Hoke has left the building, and players will soon arrive. Below are highlights from Hoke's media session. Below Hoke's comments are comments from defensive tackle Ryan Van Bergen.

Brady Hoke: On Michael Shaw's increased presence against Northwestern. Said he practiced better, but also that it was situational.

Brady Hoke: On MSU having a bye week before game, "I've been on both sides of it." Said there's been occasions where he felt he and his staff "out-coached" themselves, but that he has seen the benefits of being fresher, healthier.

Brady Hoke: "After every game I say it's great to win, but there's always a 'but."

Brady Hoke: Said he synced up the "countdown clock" as soon as Saturday's game was announced as a 12:01 p.m. kickoff.

Brady Hoke: "The goal is to win the Big Ten championship, and you're not going to do that losing this game."

Brady Hoke: Said Troy Woolfolk is still a little banged up. Wouldn't specify if he thought Blake Countess was outperforming Woolfolk on the field.

Brady Hoke: "We're not a top 10 team," said ball security and amount of yards defense gives up makes him believe Michigan isn't worthy of its ranking.

Brady Hoke: On motivating team by referencing recent results against Michigan State, "I don't think they need to be reminded."

Brady Hoke: On Denard, "I think he's improved every week."

Brady Hoke: Said Taylor Lewan sat out on Saturday because he thought the referee had thrown him out. The ref told Lewan to "get out" because he was on the Northwestern sideline after a play. Ref meant to leave the Northwestern sideline, Lewan interpreted it to mean get out of the game.

Brady Hoke: Said team has to be better in all aspects to compete with Michigan State, included how the athletic trainers tape ankles.

Brady Hoke: Says his experience is that the Michigan vs. Michigan State games he's coached in the past were the most physical games of the season.

Brady Hoke: On Michigan State quarterback Kurt Cousins "I think he's as good a quarterback as there is in the league. ... I like how he runs the offense."

Brady Hoke: On Denard's first half of the season, "I like him, I'm glad he's our quarterback."

Brady Hoke: "That's why you go to places like Michigan and Michigan State, to play in those games. ... It'll be fun. ... It was always going to be a dog fight."

Brady Hoke: On the Michigan State rivalry: "The rivalry is a tremendous rivalry because of the passion for the schools that the alums have. ... It's an important part of recruiting, it's an important part because it's a Big Ten team."

Brady Hoke: Comparing how he thought the team would be to how they are now, "I didn't have any preconceived notions."

Brady Hoke: On effect of having to overcome adversity like the team did against Northwestern, "I think you gain some confidence."

Brady Hoke: On Michigan State, "I think they're athletic, play with good team speed and they're going to be a physical presence out on the field."

Brady Hoke: On how team has played in second half. "I think Al (Borges) does a tremendous job," of in game adjustments.

Brady Hoke: "I think we learned a lot about our football team this weekend."

Ryan Van Bergen: Said he's been compared to Paul Bunyan, "I guess I'll have to shave my beard ... and stop carrying my ax around."

Ryan Van Bergen: "I've been a part of program long enough to know that alums will let you know if they're not satisfied."

Ryan Van Bergen: Compared Michigan State quarterback Kurt Cousins to Dan Persa. "I thinks he's underrated as a runner."

Ryan Van Bergen: Said he thinks this is the most physical game of the season. Will be won up front, on both sides of the ball.

Ryan Van Bergen: Said of Jordan Kovacs' helmet ripping play against Northwestern. "He's playing a little too big." Said he ragged on him for not bringing down the quarterback on the play.

Ryan Van Bergen: "Because we're used those situations (being down) we know how to react and adjust."

Ryan Van Bergen: Said last weekend's halftime adjustments were most drastic and successful for team.

Ryan Van Bergen: Said team is very motivated by the fact that the team has lost three years in a row.