Tag: 2019 Michigan Wolverines

5 Players to Watch Against Michigan State

Michigan football takes on Michigan State this week in the battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy, who are the key players to watch for it?

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The biggest week for the state of Michigan when it comes to football is here. Michigan vs Michigan State. The Wolverines are coming off a bye week and with the extra week off they should be extra prepared for this game. The Spartans are coming off a 37-34 loss to Illinois, a game where they were up 28-3 and lost the lead.

The Spartans will be coming into this game upset and angry with themselves with the loss last week, and a win over Michigan would be the perfect cure for it. Michigan will be looking to keep its possible New Year’s Six Bowl hopes alive as they continue their recent hot streak after losing to Penn State.

Before you watch the game on Saturday, check out these five players you should watch when the action unfolds.

1. QB Shea Patterson – MICHIGAN

Last season against Michigan State, Michigan quarterback Shea Patterson went 14/25 for 212 yards for two touchdowns. This year he’d like a similar, if not better performance in front of the home crowd against his in-state rival. It won’t be easy though as this is Michigan State’s biggest game of the year. It doesn’t help that the Spartans are 4-5 either, as a loss will put them to the brink of being bowl ineligible.

MSU doesn’t want to avoid a bowl game, so winning this game will be even more important as a loss would mean they need to finish the game on a two-game winning streak to play in a bowl game in December. Patterson and the offense is going up against the 24th ranked defense and with desperation and grit in the Spartans mindset, their effort will be turned up to 11 for this game.

For Michigan State’s offense, their quarterback could be dangerous with his arms and legs…
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Despite being idle, Michigan drops a spot in latest College Football Playoff rankings

Michigan didn’t do anything in Week Eleven, on account of it being its second bye week, and the College Football Playoff committee took notice. Not exactly, but the Wolverines did fall despite being idle. Coming in ranked No. 14 in the inaugural …

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Michigan didn’t do anything in Week Eleven, on account of it being its second bye week, and the College Football Playoff committee took notice.

Not exactly, but the Wolverines did fall despite being idle.

Coming in ranked No. 14 in the inaugural poll of 2019, the maize and blue dropped a spot to No. 15, though a game was not played. But they weren’t alone in the shuffle, despite either forward momentum or no momentum.

For instance, the formerly ranked No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes — who loom at the regular season’s end — fell to No. 2, despite an absolute drubbing of Maryland. This is in large part due to Minnesota jumping up from No. 17 to No. 8, after taking down the former No. 4 Penn State, which fell to No. 9 after the loss.

Wisconsin is now ranked No. 14, and Notre Dame, which Michigan beat a few weeks back, comes in at No. 16.

Michigan also has a victory over No. 20 Iowa.

Indiana, which was ranked 24/25 in the AP/Amway Coaches Poll, and is the Wolverines opponent after this week, did not get ranked in the latest College Football Playoff standings.

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Mark Dantonio: Jim Harbaugh is a Hall of Fame football coach

Michigan football takes on Michigan State this week, and the Spartans head coach gave Jim Harbaugh a wonderful compliment on Tuesday.

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Heading into this rivalry game between Michigan and Michigan State, not much positive is said about the other team. Sure both teams give the other credit on what they do right and things like that, but both Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh and Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio have shown great mutual respect for one another this week.

On Monday, Harbaugh said Dantonio was a master motivator, had a great body of work with his track record and that he was a fine coach. Today, Dantonio went a step above Harbaugh and gave him a bigger compliment. He called him intense, and a Hall of Fame football coach.

That’s right, Dantonio believes Harbaugh is a Hall of Fame football coach.

That isn’t something you don’t hear much from rival schools heading into their game this week. The question is, is Harbaugh an actual Hall of Fame football coach? That point can be debated and will be depending on how Harbaugh’s coaching career ends whenever it does.

So far in his coaching career, Harbaugh has coached in the NCAA FCS and FBS subdivisions, and the NFL. In the NCAA, Harbaugh has coached for three teams, San Diego, Stanford, and Michigan. His collegiate record is currently 103-43, with two Pioneer League Championships at San Diego.

In the NFL, Harbaugh would coach the San Francisco 49ers for four years and finish with a record of 44-19-1 with two NFC West division titles, an NFC Championship title, and a Super Bowl appearance. He would also be the first coach in NFL history to have reached a conference championship game each of his first three years.

So, Harbaugh has had some great success at different programs and levels of competition. Is he a Hall of Fame lock? Very possible, but his career is still young at just 55 years old. He could still coach for another 10 plus seasons if he wants to, or he could retire after this season and either way it will still be a great career.

Harbaugh wants to win though, he’s an intense coach like Dantonio said, so expect him to retire anytime soon. He wants to win a conference championship and win the National championship. He’s at his alma mater and wants to give them something to be proud of, and he’s done a good job at turning the ship around so far.

Now he just has to reinforce the ship and build it up to the likes of the Alabama, Clemson, and Ohio State. Consistent reloading and small mistakes. Dantonio see’s what Harbaugh is as a coach and you bet he wants to try and beat him in front of his own crowd on Saturday in Ann Arbor once again.

This game is a big one for both head coaches, as Dantonio is dealing with his own demons, Harbaugh is 2-2 against his in-state rival and finally having a winning record over the Spartans would help him out as well, along with being on a two-game win streak against them. If Harbaugh can start to figure out Michigan State, then there is just one rival he has to try and stop. Ohio State.

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Week 12 Big Ten power rankings, Michigan falls during bye week

Michigan Football moves down on their bye week, how far do the Wolverines fall after the dust settles in my latest Big Ten power rankings?

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The bye week was a good week overall for the Wolverines. Penn State, a team ahead of them in the Big Ten championship race fell, and Michigan State blew a 28-3 lead against Illinois. Even with those moves, Michigan falls back in my Big Ten power rankings. There were some huge Big Ten games last week, so expect some big changes in the rankings. You can check them out below.

1. OHIO STATE 9-0 (6-0)

Ohio State came off their bye with a suspension from their star defensive end Chase Young. No length has been determined for his suspension, but he didn’t play against Maryland last week and most likely won’t play Rutgers this week.

Moving to the action last week against Maryland, the offense never put their foot off the gas in the 73-14 beatdown. Ohio State put up 705 yards of offense, 322 came from the four different quarterbacks that played and combined for four touchdowns. The other 383 yards came on the ground as eight different people ran the football for those yards and six touchdowns.

The defense played hard, holding Maryland to 139 yards of offense. They had Maryland try out both quarterbacks Josh Jackson and Tyrrell Pigrome, holding them to 77 passing yards with a touchdown and an interception. The Buckeyes take on Rutgers this week in what could be a repeat of this game.

2. MINNESOTA 9-0 (6-0)

Minnesota was able to pull off the upset last week, beating Penn State 31-26. Quarterback Tanner Morgan played lights out, going 18/20 for 339 yards and three touchdowns.

The defense was able to create some big turnovers, forcing Penn State to throw three interceptions and make it a struggle to pass the ball on them. The win moves Minnesota to the second spot as they look to keep their Big Ten championship hopes alive as they are in the driver seat. They play Iowa this week as a win would officially eliminate the Hawkeyes and make it come down to their game next week to clinch their spot in Indianapolis.

3. PENN STATE 8-1 (5-1)

Penn State possibly just knocked themselves out of the playoff picture and the Big Ten title picture with their 31-26 loss to Minnesota. Quarterback Sean Clifford struggled, going 23/43 for 340 yards with only one touchdown and three interceptions. The running game had some better production, as the leading running back Journey Brown had 14 carries for 124 yards and two touchdowns.

The defense couldn’t stop the Minnesota passing game and only forced one fumble all day long. They did hold the Golden Gophers to 121 rushing yards and a touchdown on 40 carries, so they were forced to pass and it was still working. Penn State will look to rebound this week against Indiana as they try and keep their playoff and Big Ten championship hopes alive.

4. WISCONSIN 7-2 (4-2)

Wisconsin moves up with their 24-22 win over Iowa as they take over the second-place spot in the Big Ten West, with hopes that Minnesota slips up just once before they take them on in the season finale. Running the football with Jonathan Taylor was the main focal point of the offense, as Taylor had a whopping 31 carries for 250 yards, but he never found the endzone.

The defense made it a mission to shut down the Hawkeyes ground game and they did just that, holding the Hawkeyes to 87 yards on 23 carries. Wisconsin looks to keep their Big Ten title hopes alive as they take on Nebraska this week.

5. MICHIGAN 7-2 (4-2)

Michigan was on a bye week this week as they fall a spot with Wisconsin winning over Iowa. They take on Michigan State this week as they try and keep the Paul Bunyan trophy in Ann Arbor for at least another year.

6. INDIANA 7-2 (4-2)

Indiana moves up with the Iowa loss as they were on a bye week as well. The Hoosiers have a chance to ruin Penn State’s season this week and what better way to do that than in front of their own fans.

7. IOWA 6-3 (3-3)

Iowa falls a spot after their 24-22 loss to Wisconsin as they need a miracle to reach the Big Ten championship game now. Quarterback Nate Stanley went 17/28 for 208 yards with two touchdowns and a fumble. The running game struggled to get into the end zone, getting held to just 87 yards.

The defense was able to hold quarterback Jack Coan in place, having him go 16/25 for 173 yards with two touchdowns, an interception, and a fumble, but stopping Taylor wasn’t possible unless it was out of the endzone as he ran for 250 on them. Iowa takes on Minnesota this week as they look to try and ruin their perfect season and keep their Big Ten title hopes alive.

8. ILLINOIS 6-4 (4-3)

Illinois got a huge win last week as they came back down 28-3 and beat Michigan State 37-34. Quarterback Brandon Peters played very well, going 22/42 for 369 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. Wide receiver Josh Imatorbhebhe had a great game too, with four catches for 178 yards and two touchdowns.

The defense, while allowing over 500 yards of offense, held MSU quarterback Brian Lewerke in check by forcing him to go 19/36 for 251 yards with a touchdown and three interceptions. Illinois gets a week off this week but takes on Iowa next week.

9. PURDUE 4-6 (3-4)

Purdue jumps after their own comeback as they came back down 14-0 to win 24-22 over Northwestern. It was behind their quarterback Aidan O’Connell who went 34/50 for 271 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.

The defense did their best in stopping Northwestern’s passing game and it did as well as it could, holding them to 184 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Purdue gets a week of rest as they take on Wisconsin as they try and keep their bowl hopes alive.

10. MICHIGAN STATE 4-5 (2-4)

Michigan State falls two spots after blowing a 25 point lead to Illinois at home. While Lewerke struggled, the running game had some better success, getting 275 yards and two touchdowns on the ground as the team was able to average 5.4 yards per carry.

The defense is where things fell apart as they let Illinois get back into the game with a 25 point lead. While they couldn’t stop Peters that much, they did well in stopping the Illinois rushing attack, holding them to 36 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries. They take on Michigan this week as they try and upset the Wolverines in Ann Arbor.

11. NEBRASKA 4-5 (2-4)

Nebraska sits still after their bye week. This week they take on Wisconsin as they try and eliminate the Badgers from the Big Ten title picture. Nebraska is looking to make a bowl game as well as they need to win two of their final three games.

12. MARYLAND 3-7 (1-6)

Maryland is officially out of the bowl game picture after its 73-14 loss to Ohio State. Maryland couldn’t do much on offense, and it showed as they were only able to muster up 139 total yards on offense as the running game had 62 yards and a touchdown on just 32 carries.

The defense couldn’t do anything to stop Ohio State, allowing 705 total yards and 10 touchdowns. Six came on the ground, and four in the air. Maryland has a bye week this week, but they take on Nebraska next week.

13. RUTGERS 2-7 (0-6)

Rutgers had a bye week last week and this week they look to have a huge upset as they try and take down Ohio State.

14. NORTHWESTERN 1-8 (0-7)

Northwestern blew a 14 point lead and lost to Purdue 24-22 as they couldn’t keep their offense moving constantly. The running game was the bread and butter for the team, getting 251 yards and a touchdown on 45 carries.

The defense had troubles in stopping the passing game, but when it came to stopping the run they had more success, holding Purdue to 74 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries. Northwestern takes on UMASS this week in a late non-conference game.

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