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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan didn’t play either of its last two scheduled games, but it appears that the Wolverines are likely to be available to take on Iowa this Saturday night in Kinnick Stadium.
Head coach Jim Harbaugh said on Monday afternoon that the team returned to practice over the weekend and is gearing up to be able to take on the Hawkeyes as planned.
“Status right now, we were able to practice yesterday,” Harbaugh said. “Had a good, spirited practice. Was really impressed with our players. There was a lot of energy, a lot of enthusiasm for the practice session. And same this morning: good workouts in the weight room. Practicing today. Can’t talk enough really about how proud I am of the players, the coaches — been an inspiration, to me as well. Hit the field again today.”
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While that’s the case, there’s no telling who will be available for the Wolverines on Saturday night.
Asked multiple times about who will be the starting quarterback — Cade McNamara left the game against Penn State with a shoulder injury — as well as the depth across the board with a reported 45 players out due to COVID-19 positive tests, contact tracing and other injuries — Harbaugh was mum about those who could see the field, citing privacy concerns.
“As I said about the quarterback position, that’s something we’ll have an opportunity to answer on Saturday night,” Harbaugh said. “These things are kinda all getting lumped together by those that are looking at it. Privacy concerns. We’ll be able to answer that question Saturday night.”
At 2-4, Michigan finds itself at a disadvantage taking on a red hot Iowa team, one that lost its first two games of the season before winning six straight.
Big Ten Champions Week was supposed to match up like vs. like in the East-to-West rankings. However, the conference about-faced, matching up some rivals who had their games canceled, while the sixth-place Wolverines managed to get second-place Iowa.
Harbaugh makes no excuses for it, saying that the team is prepared to take on the challenge.
“The schedule — my thoughts on it is schedule is made — time, the place, the opponent, and then you prepare for the game,” Harbaugh said. “That’s our total focus here today and for the next six days.”
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He continued, sharing that he likes the way his team has gotten after it since returning to the practice field this weekend, while noting that it’ll have a tough opponent in Iowa.
“Very excited about it and very focused on our opponent,” Harbaugh said. “Also really excited the way our players have responded to the challenge. It’s a big one.
“Iowa’s extremely good. I’ve known Kirk Ferentz for a very long time. I had a chance to play with the Ravens in 1998 and Coach Ferentz was on the staff. He’s a tremendous coach. His teams execute at a very high level. Tough and play the game the way it’s supposed to be played. Very disciplined in all phases — offense, defense, special teams. Always a signature of his teams and his coaching. Have great respect for him.”
Michigan and Iowa will kick off at Kinnick Stadium at 7 p.m. EST and will be nationally broadcast on ESPN.