ANN ARBOR -- Brady Hoke spent 2 minutes providing an opening statement to the media after Michigan's streak-breaking win Saturday against in-state rival Michigan State.

And at no point did he mention Michigan State.

That about sums up the state of affairs at Michigan, where the goal remains Big Ten title or bust. That trek continues Saturday against Nebraska (5-2, 2-1), which trails the 20th-ranked Wolverines (5-2, 3-0) by one game in the Legends Division.

"When you think that way, you're thinking honestly," Hoke said Monday. "Great rivalry, all that kind of stuff, is important. Winning that game is important, multiple reasons why.

"But it's 'Who's next?' mentality. Who do you play next? Because as you know, November and October is when you win championships."

Michigan achieved great heights last year, when it won 11 games and the second BCS bowl in program history. It knocked off rivals Notre Dame and Ohio State.

But losses to Iowa and Michigan State occluded the Wolverines from playing for a Big Ten title. So Hoke has adopted a new mantra, which he has hammered to his team and the media in recent weeks.

Every week is a championship week.

Every week is a championship week.

Every week is a championship week.

So it comes as little surprise that, presented with the opportunity to put two games between itself and Nebraska -- after already doing the same to MSU -- Michigan is treating this game just like any other.

"There's no denying it's a big game for us, but the way Coach Hoke has had our mind set, and I'm sure you guys have heard it more than you'd like to, it's a championship game for us," center Elliott Mealer said. "Last week was a championship game, and the week before was.

"We try to have the mind-set of every time we play against a Big Ten opponent is just like we're playing in Indianapolis and we're playing for the trophy. And we control our destiny."

How much does Hoke mention "It's a championship week" to his team?

"Probably just as much as you guys are thinking in your heads," Mealer said. "As much as you guys have been hearing it, we hear it even more. And for you guys, it's probably overbearing and redundant and things like that -- I'm sure, because I can see all the smiles when I brought it up -- but for us, that's why you come to Michigan.

"For us players, it's not redundant, it's not, 'OK we get it.' It's, 'Remember last year? We lost a game here, we lost a game there, and we kept ourselves out of that game.' So we accept the constant reminder of it."

Mealer said there's a picture of the Big Ten championship trophy in the team's Schembechler Hall meeting room. There are roses painted on the walls, a not-so-subtle reminder of the bowl that awaits the league's champion.

A bowl that Michigan hasn't been to since the 2006 season. A bowl Michigan's seniors saw personally in the offseason during a leadership trip to Southern California.

"For the guys who were here last year, we understand a game here or there could have made last year a lot different for us," Mealer said. "(The championship week mantra) might be redundant for you and outsiders to hear it, but for us as players, we accept it.

"We want to hear about the Big Ten trophy and Indianapolis and all those things because we know that last year, we didn't get that accomplished and you need a reminder -- you need a reminder every week -- of what you're playing for."

Kyle Meinke covers Michigan football for MLive.com. He can be reached by email at kmeinke@mlive.com and followed on Twitter @kmeinke.

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