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There’s been Ann Arbor lot of pessimism recently that the Wolverines and Buckeyes will actually take the field at The Horseshoe this Saturday, due to Michigan’s COVID-19 issues stemming after the week of Thanksgiving.
The maize and blue canceled their first game this past weekend agains Maryland, as the team moved to all virtual and no in-person team activities last week Monday. But, it appears that there’s a sliver of hope for those hoping a game will take place this upcoming weekend against OSU.
Michigan football sent out an e-mail to reporters late on Sunday saying that the status of the team had not changed, so there would not be media availability until midweek, at the earliest. But according to Yahoo Sports’ Pete Thamel, there’s a positive sign that the Wolverines have emerged from virtual activities only to in-person practice, as the team may actually be able to take the practice field on Monday.
Sources: Lot of optimism out of Michigan today. They are preparing to practice, which is a good sign for playing the Ohio State game.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 7, 2020
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This sentiment was backed up by The Detroit News’ Angelique Chengelis, who reports that the team is trending towards practicing, but it’s no sure thing at this juncture.
The plan right now, I've been told, is for Michigan to practice today and tomorrow. Team should be meeting about now. I'm not sure it's a "sign" they will play — It's a sign they're TRYING to play Am not ready to make that leap yet that The Game is gonna happen
— angelique (@chengelis) December 7, 2020
Regardless, if Michigan is capable of taking the field, it will likely be very shorthanded against the undefeated No. 4 Buckeyes. Though OSU was without double-digit scholarship players against MSU this past weekend, the Wolverines could find themselves in a similar, perhaps worse, position. And we don’t yet know the injury status of last game’s starting QB Cade McNamara, who sustained a shoulder injury vs. Penn State.
Still, for those looking forward to The Game, it doesn’t appear to be written off as of yet.
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UPDATE, from Angelique Chengelis:
“Medical has cleared the team to begin limited workouts” — per UM statement
— angelique (@chengelis) December 7, 2020