Michigan football coach Brady Hoke said Monday he won't have a schematic edge when he faces his old team, San Diego State, despite his familiarity with the program.

On Tuesday, Hoke said the Wolverines might actually be at a schematic disadvantage because of the Aztecs' familiarity with Michigan offensive coordinator Al Borges.

Michigan (3-0) and San Diego State (3-0) play each other at noon Saturday (BTN) in a game that was scheduled by Hoke when he was with the Aztecs.

Borges was Hoke's offensive coordinator the past two years at San Diego State. When Hoke left for Michigan in January, Borges came with him and the Aztecs promoted defensive coordinator Rocky Long to head coach.

Long also worked with Borges at UCLA during the 1996 and '97 seasons.

"I think Rocky, with the relationship Rocky has had with Al Borges, two years at San Diego State, two years at UCLA, lot of familiarity with schematics that Coach Long is well aware of," Hoke said during his weekly teleconference with reporters.

Earlier this week, it was Long who said that the Michigan coaching staff has "a huge advantage" because Hoke and Borges are so familiar with San Diego State's personnel.

Borges brought his West Coast offense with him to Michigan, although the Wolverines now are running more a hybrid offense that Borges had called a "spread-West Coast," a system that takes better advantage of quarterback Denard Robinson's running ability.

That wrinkle could help minimize any benefits gained by Long's familiarity with Borges.

"No question Denard is a little bit different than playing a conventional style, if you want to call it that -- the pro-style -- because of his ability with his feet and to run," Hoke said.

"At same time, the way we can throw the ball from the play-action scheme, there is some familiarity with that."

After Robinson ran 26 times in a 31-3 win against Eastern Michigan on Saturday -- and completed only seven passes -- Hoke reaffirmed his commitment to finding success in the passing game.

"(Robinson) made three throws the other day that were very good throws," Hoke said. "Body mechanics and body posture and those things? Maybe they weren't exactly what you wanted, but he made throws that were right on the money."

Some other topics Hoke touched on during the teleconference:

Slow starts befuddling
Michigan has been outscored 21-0 in the first quarter this season, but is winning the final three quarters 100-23.

What is the reason for the Wolverines' slow starts?

"I wish I had an answer," Hoke said. "It's something we continue to focus on and work on, as we try to become a better football team."

Hoke credited his assistants for make the in-game adjustments necessary to win, despite the team's languid starts.

On non-league schedule
Hoke has said San Diego State will be Michigan's biggest challenge of the non-conference season, but added Tuesday that there is nothing about the Aztecs that sets them apart from other teams in terms of preparing the Wolverines for their Big Ten slate.

"I think we all have non-conference schedules that prepare you, one way or another, to start your season in conference play, and playing your best football, but not sure if (it makes a difference if it's) San Diego State or Wyoming or whatever.

"The focus and goal really has to be on your team and its improvements."

Seeking better play up front
For the second straight day, Hoke emphasized the importance of getting his defensive front seven going before opening up Big Ten play next week against Minnesota.

"We need to play much better than we have the past three games," he said.

Michigan likely will get several opportunities to work on its rush defense. San Diego State features sophomore tailback Ronnie Hillman, who is the nation's second-leading rusher.

Chatting it up?
Hoke said he hasn't talked to anyone from San Diego State this week, but "I'm sure after the contest on Saturday, we'll have some discussions."

He said Monday he has spoken with Long since departing from San Diego State, but mostly about personal matters.

Kyle Meinke covers Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2588, by email at kylemeinke@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @kmeinke.