First, some housekeeping!
This is apparently a big week for us. I guess there are two football teams playing an important game or something. That’s what they’re telling me, at least.
We’re scrapping some of our usual daily content in favor of content specific to The Game. It’s arguably what we know best, and what you’re all here to read. Stay tuned for a week full of content — via podcast, board posts and in writing — with the healthiest sprinkle of shit talk here and there.
This post is free, but if you’re interested in joining us down in the posting mines, you can use code THEGAME for 25% off your subscription forever. That’s right. Literally forever.
We may even have a special deal for subscribers this week by way of our friends at Homefield Apparel. You’ll definitely want to slide on into the depths of the boards before Saturday to get in on the good times (and better deal).
Anyway, onto other stuff!
From the Maize and Blue Thinking Chair (Located Conveniently Near the Trainers’ and Doctors’ Offices)…
Michigan is notoriously bad at providing clear injury updates. Sure, this is a feature of the sport itself not having clear injury reporting protocols; Michigan is still especially vague on this front.
Based on the most recent reporting, I’m going to do my best to have one “injury report” of sorts for the major players who, if healthy, should play a role in The Game.
Blake Corum
Corum suffered a fluke knee injury in the closing minutes of the first half. After walking off without assistance but a with a visible limp, he returned to play one snap in the second half. At his press conference, Jim Harbaugh said Corum had been medically cleared to return to the game, and that his knee is “structurally good, which is great news.”
For what it’s worth, he spent Sunday handing out turkeys in Ypsilanti, which he purchased with his NIL money. When asked, Corum said his knee was “fine.” and that he’ll be back. I’d guess this is a day-to-day situation, with more official info to come.
What difference does it make? A fuck ton of difference. Obviously, losing the bulk of their offensive production is a serious problem for Michigan. Missing time against OSU would also suck for Corum, who’s otherwise been mounting a Heisman campaign.
As an aside, an interesting note on the play where Isaiah Gash set up the first down to set up the game-winning field goal — it was designed for Corum.
We just put that [fourth-and-four play] in this week. That was a Blake [Corum] play all the way. Blake got the most reps on it. Blake was the guy we wanted to run that play. I think Isaiah had one practice rep on that play. But talked about on the sideline. He said he got it, he would he be able to execute it. And he did a fantastic job doing it in the game. The most critical, critical moment, picking up that fourth down. So I’m really happy with Isaiah Gash. Cemented a big place in my heart.
Ideally, Gash won’t be in these clutch situations often, but worth noting that he and C.J. Stokes could be seeing increased usage if Corum can’t recover for The Game.
Donovan Edwards
Edwards left the game against Nebraska with an undisclosed injury in the first half. He was not available against Illinois. Without a clear answer, it’s hard to say what role, if any, Edwards might play this coming week.
What difference does it make? A moderate amount of difference. Edwards improved vastly in the run game this year, and is an asset to a passing game that’s otherwise struggling. Michigan loses a bit of its versatility and creativity offensively without Edwards available.
Trevor Keegan
Keegan missed his second straight game in a row. The left guard was replaced by Giovanni El-Hadi (who hasn’t been a problem so far).
What difference does it make? As it stands, this is not the worst-case scenario for Michigan. I worry about how the line will fare against Ohio State’s defensive front, particularly against J.T. Tuimoloau, but I was going to have that concern regardless.
A.J. Henning
Henning, Michigan’s gadget guy and leading returner, was also unavailable for Illinois. While I’ve made peace with Ronnie Bell returning the ball, having Henning as a return man has been nice — he’s 13th in the nation in punt return yardage (178 yards on 24 punts), and 28th in average return yards.
What difference does it make? Not a ton. I often bang the drum for Henning as a gadget player, but overall, I think we have guys who can return the ball in his absence.
Mike Morris
Morris suffered an ankle sprain against Nebraska, but was available for warmups for Illinois. Early last week, Morris insisted he’s feeling fine, so I’d wager his lack of in-game usage is out of an abundance of caution.
What difference does it make? This is Michigan’s most prominent defensive injury. If Morris participated in warmups, I have a good feeling about his availability for The Game. Michigan’s pass rush lacked the explosion it usually has with Morris in the game, though my gripes on defense come more at the expense of the linebackers (again).
Morris isn’t Hutchinson or Ojabo; he’s his own man. That said, without him, Michigan loses out on consistent pressure generation and on one or two explosive defensive plays.
Luke Schoonmaker
Schoonmaker, like Morris, warmed up with the team but did not play for a second straight week.
What difference does it make? Schoonmaker, like Morris, seems like he got a bit of “vet rest” before The Game. Where Morris’ presence was missed, though, Schoonmaker’s role seems covered. Colston Loveland did an admirable job filling that role, and Michigan trusted him pretty liberally on offense. Had McCarthy seen him past his first read in the fourth quarter, that was an easy touchdown.
Anyway, this is about Schoonmaker. If he returns and Loveland takes an elevated role as TE2, it allows Michigan to run two-TE sets far more effectively if they want to.
An aside on the linebackers
Curiously, Nikhai Hill-Green has not yet been ruled out for the season. I don’t have my hopes up at all, neither for his return nor an official announcement. Kalel Mullings returned against Illinois, but it admittedly wasn’t great. One hopes the linebacker play improves when Michigan goes back to Colson/Barrett for the most part over Mullings/Rolder in critical situations.
Around South Campus…
This is probably the only day you’re getting non-football content, at least from me. May as well take a whirlwind tour around Michigan sports:
- Michigan men’s basketball trounced Pitt, but lost to Arizona State. They play Ohio U Sunday evening. I’ll leave any possible off-court discourse to my counterparts in Weasel Weekly.
- Women’s hoops remains perfect on the year, with wins over Western and Fairfield.
- Michigan hockey, beset with illness, lost both of their games against Minnesota. The efforts were commendable given the circumstances, with one player apparently in the ICU fighting the virus that swept the team.
- In other sports, Michigan lost to Maryland in volleyball, 3-1. The fifth-ranked wrestling team defeated Columbia.
Michigan-Adjacent Video of the Day
Get your fucking vibes right, people.