Tag: Ben Bredeson

Five Wolverines accept invites to participate in Reese’s Senior Bowl

If you thought that just SAM linebacker Josh Uche and tight end Sean McKeon would be the sole representatives for Michigan in the Reese’s Senior Bowl, think again. On Tuesday, the NFL Draft showcase for league scouts featuring outgoing seniors …

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If you thought that just SAM linebacker Josh Uche and tight end Sean McKeon would be the sole representatives for Michigan in the Reese’s Senior Bowl, think again.

On Tuesday, the NFL Draft showcase for league scouts featuring outgoing seniors revealed the full list of college football players who had accepted invites to participate in the Jan. 25 bowl game in Mobile, Alabama and the maize and blue are the second-most represented school on the list.

With five soon-to-be former players having accepted invites, it promises to be a maize and blue affair, with only the Utah Utes having more representatives with six.

The aforementioned Uche and McKeon were announced shortly after the culmination of the regular season as participants, but three more are joining.

Michigan QB Shea Patterson accepted his invitation to participate, meaning that, like McKeon, he’ll be going straight from the East-West Shrine Bowl in Florida directly to the Reese’s Senior Bowl the following week.

Also participating in the prestigious all-star game will be safety Josh Metellus and left guard Ben Bredeson.

But first, naturally, the five have one more game to play in maize and blue, with the VRBO Citrus Bowl coming up Jan. 1 vs. Alabama.

The Reese’s Senior Bowl kicks off at 1:30PM CT at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile on Jan. 25. The game will be televised on NFL Network.

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Shea Patterson reacts to being voted Michigan team MVP

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – It might come at the chagrin of those who were his detractors all season, but Shea Patterson garnered Michigan’s highest honor on Sunday evening. At the annual Schemmy Awards, formerly the Michigan football bust, the senior …

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ANN ARBOR, Mich. —  It might come at the chagrin of those who were his detractors all season, but Shea Patterson garnered Michigan’s highest honor on Sunday evening.

At the annual Schemmy Awards, formerly the Michigan football bust, the senior quarterback took home the greatest award of the night, having been voted by his teammates the best player on the team, as he earned the Most Valuable Player award.

Per usual, in response to receiving such praise, Patterson was demure, noting how many of his teammates were equally as deserving of said honor.

“Yeah, there’s a lot of guys that were capable of getting that award,” Patterson said. “Nico (Collins), Ronnie (Bell), Ben (Bredeson) – anyone of our offensive line, all year – there’s so many guys that make plays. I’m just happy to be a part of it.”

But if you ask one of the aforementioned, they’d tell you that Patterson was the engine that ran the machine — a machine that really got humming along midway through the season.

“The whole offense, he ran that thing, and he did an outstanding job doing it,” senior team captain Ben Bredeson said. “He’s versatile back there, he did a great job with his reads. He was a very emotional player, kept everybody high-spirited and doing well. I love playing with him.”

Patterson particularly came on strong as the season progressed, having closed out the final three games with over 300 yards passing — the first-ever Michigan quarterback to have three consecutive 300 yard games.

As far as why the lights really turned on for the former five-star as the regular season wound down, again, Patterson demurred.

“I just have to thank Coach Gattis for giving me the keys, and trusting and believing in me,” Patterson said. “I think that kinda spoke for itself. Coach Gattis explained to our players, everybody on the team to buy in. In order to be the difference, you’ve gotta change the difference, he always says. I think that’s another element of added trust and buy in from everybody.”

The lifelong Michigan fan and two-year Wolverine will have one more opportunity to impress, and it’ll be quite the challenge.

The maize and blue take on the Alabama Crimson Tide in the VRBO Citrus Bowl in Orlando on Jan. 1. That game will kick off at 1PM EST and will be broadcast nationally on ABC.

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Multiple Michigan players break down challenge Alabama presents

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – While all eyes will assuredly be on the College Football Playoff come Dec. 28, when Ohio State-Clemson and LSU-Oklahoma will take place, given the absence of Alabama – a team that’s been in every playoff since its 2014 inception – …

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ANN ARBOR, Mich. —  While all eyes will assuredly be on the College Football Playoff come Dec. 28, when Ohio State-Clemson and LSU-Oklahoma will take place, given the absence of Alabama — a team that’s been in every playoff since its 2014 inception — when Michigan and the Crimson Tide face off in the VRBO Citrus Bowl on Jan. 1, it’ll assuredly draw just as much attention, or at least close to it.

Right now, Michigan looks like it will have its full complement of players in the game, which speaks not just to the bond of the team, but also the quality of opponent that Alabama is.

“It’s obviously not a team that we’re used to playing every year being a non-conference opponent,” senior team captain Ben Bredeson said. “We’re very excited about the challenge of playing them. Growing up and for the last 10 or so years, they’ve been a perennial power. Finally being able to play Alabama, it’s exciting, we’re looking forward to it. I believe it’s a good matchup for us.”

While most Michigan players or observers would have thought that getting a shot at Alabama meant that the Wolverines made it to the playoffs themselves, given some of the Crimson Tide’s injuries — namely to star QB Tua Tagovailoa — things didn’t quite work out that way, as the SEC powerhouse lost to playoff-bound LSU and rival Auburn in a closely contested game to end the season.

On Sunday, after the annual Schemmy Awards at Crisler Center, several Wolverines broke down the challenges that Alabama presents — and they’re numerous.

The SEC West and national power, despite the record and injuries, still has a cadre of likely first-round NFL Draft picks. Despite Tagovailoa being out for the season, the offense is still loaded, whether it be the four wideouts led by DeVonta Smith and Jerry Jeudy, or running back Najee Harris.

But the challenges start up front with a talented offensive line that boasts multiple high-end future NFL Draft first-rounders.

“I’m pretty sure they have a first-round guy at right tackle,” junior defensive end Kwity Paye said of Alabama RT Jedrick Wills. “I played against him in the All-American game in high school, so I know he’s a great tackle. The other one as well so. Playing against those guys will be huge.”

Given that Michigan’s defense has struggled against some of the top offenses it’s faced — Wisconsin and Ohio State bloodied the Wolverines, while Penn State made just enough damage to hold on for dear life after a quick start early — considering that Alabama has the nation’s 7th-ranked attack in yards-per-game, there’s a lot to cover.

It’s not just that the OL is solid — Alabama is fourth in the country in sacks allowed — but then there’s the aforementioned Harris, the nation’s 38th-best rusher — and the pass offense, ranked third in the nation, averaging 343.5 yards-per-game, the best Michigan will have seen to date.

“They have a very talented receiving corps, and they have a very talented O-line as well,” fifth-year senior linebacker Jordan Glasgow said. “I’ve seen their running back make a lot of plays. I’ve seen the running backs they’ve rotated in make a lot of plays. I’m pretty sure the quarterback they’ve rotated in (Mac Jones) has done very well. They put up a lot of points against Auburn in their loss. They’ve done well after Tua went down. I think we’re gonna be playing a great team. We’re going to be playing one of the best teams we’ve played all year, and we’ve gotta prepare for them.”

While the defense might have the biggest challenge, Alabama is no slouch still on its own defense, with the 17th-rated unit in the country coming in.

Michigan’s offense got rolling against Penn State and only slowed down at the half against the Buckeyes. But the Wolverines feel confident that they can keep the ball moving, especially given that offensive coordinator Josh Gattis was an assistant coach in Tuscaloosa a year ago.

But what are the challenges that the maize and blue will face going up against the Crimson Tide defense? Again, it’s multiple.

“They’re big, fast, strong and athletic, all along the board,” senior quarterback Shea Patterson said. “Incredible secondary. They’re very well-coached on defense and very explosive on offense. We’ll see if we can match that.”

All-in-all, it’ll be a tough game for the Wolverines, but should they be able to pull it out, it would be a huge statement for a program that’s trying to add its tenth win for the fourth time in five seasons.

Michigan and Alabama will kick off in the VRBO Citrus Bowl on Jan. 1 at 1PM EST at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.

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Unlike in previous years, Michigan eager for postseason ‘opportunity’

If there’s one thing that the Wolverines aren’t this postseason, it’s not disinterested in playing in the bowl game.

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ANN ARBOR, Mich. —  The past three seasons, Michigan has ended its seasons with a whimper.

Like clockwork, the Wolverines have high expectations for the season only to finish with two consecutive losses to finish the season, with a loss to Ohio State followed by a loss in the bowl game. Twice in the past four years, the Wolverines were on the verge of a potential College Football Playoff berth, if they could only beat Ohio State — which they haven’t since 2011.

Those expectations were significantly tampered this year, with an early blowout loss at Wisconsin and a rally that fell short to Penn State in Happy Valley. The maize and blue were out of the final four conversation by the time the Buckeyes came to town, but the result was exactly the same.

So, what’s to keep history repeating itself on that front? With a fourth consecutive season with two losses to finish out the year?

Well, for one, these Wolverines didn’t enter the final game of the regular season thinking they’d get that elusive victory over OSU and get to the playoffs. The Game was more about pride for the maize and blue, and though it still ended in a decisive loss at home to the Buckeyes, with Alabama slipping completely, not just out of the playoff picture, but also all the way down to a non-New Year’s Six game — uncharted territory for a team that has been in the College Football Playoff literally every single year since its 2014 inception — Michigan is relishing its opportunity to play against a top-tier opponent.

As mentioned, that hasn’t always been the case. In 2016, Michigan was inches away from making it into the playoff. In 2018, it was favored to beat OSU and make it then. Thus, the team found itself playing for consolation prizes.

This time around? Not so much.

“Last year, we were No. 4 in the country for the majority of the year and had high hopes,” senior quarterback Shea Patterson said. “And then lost and ended up playing Florida. Guys were disappointed in that game, maybe felt like we shouldn’t be playing in that game. Maybe felt like we should have been in the playoff if we wouldn’t have lost. But this year, I think everyone’s just on board with everything. No matter what the situation is, no matter who we’re playing, we’re gonna come in here and cook.”

But there’s more on the line than just finishing the season on a strong note.

Not only is Alabama arguably the most talented team in the country from top to bottom, but should the Wolverines pull out a victory, it would be the team’s second consecutive 10-win finish, and the fourth in five years under Jim Harbaugh.

It’s just an added bonus if it were able to come at the expense of a Crimson Tide team that’s, honestly, in Michigan’s shoes from the past several years — having higher expectations than the current situation.

“At the beginning of the season, if you would have told us that we were playing Bama in the Citrus Bowl, not a lot of us would have believed you,” junior defensive end Kwity Paye said. “Just for us to get this opportunity is huge. We’re all striving for that tenth win for the second year in a row. It’d be huge.”

Given that the Wolverines seem like they’re perennially playing Florida — they’ve faced the Gators twice in the postseason in the past five years, and once to start the season in 2017 — playing against a different top-tier SEC opponent certainly presents a more welcome challenge.

It could have been like the 2017 Outback Bowl, where Michigan played and lost to South Carolina. It was an injury plagued season that finished with a disinterested Wolverines team squandering a 19-point third quarter lead to the Gamecocks.

This game has gravitas, however, given Alabama’s pedigree. Everyone who can play in this game is eager to prove they belong on the big stage against a team that’s won it all more than anyone, which is why there’s an expectation that no one will sit out for the bowl game.

“I think everyone’s very excited to play in the game – I think everyone’s very excited to play Alabama,” senior left guard Ben Bredeson said. “There’s a lot of (positivity) in the building – I don’t know if that’s an overused word by us right now or anything, but it’s a general feeling. Everyone’s excited about it. Right now, it’s that awkward timing, we’re just counting down days until the game.”

So it’s not necessarily optimism that this team is embracing in its positivity as much as it is embracing the challenge of the situation. Which is something that has been sorely missing the past few postseasons.

“I think everybody sees it as the same thing: it’s been used about 20 different times – it’s an opportunity,” Bredeson said. “It’s exactly what it is. It’s the chance for us to show everybody what we can do this year. It’d be a nice way to end the year. Nice way to end the year, especially after losing this last game at home. It would mean a lot to the seniors and everybody to win this one.”

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Michigan not anticipating any players sitting out against Alabama

As far as the leaders of the Wolverines expect as of current, there’s no anticipation that anyone for the maize and blue won’t play vs. Bama

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ANN ARBOR, Mich. —  On Saturday, junior Alabama wide receiver Jerry Jeudy shocked the world when he announced on Twitter that he would be playing in the VRBO Citrus Bowl against Michigan, as it’s been a trend in recent years that the top talent that isn’t in the College Football Playoff forgoes their final game as to avoid injury. This is the first year that the Crimson Tide haven’t been in the playoff since its inception in 2014, so the expectation was that a bevy of their draft eligible players wouldn’t suit up against the Wolverines in Orlando.

Even Michigan had several who didn’t play in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl a year ago, a New Year’s Six game that might not have the gravitas of the playoff, but certainly still has luster.

However this year, it doesn’t look that that will be the case — at least not in the minds of some of the leaders of this 2019 squad.

There’s plenty of speculation not just surrounding those who have exhausted their intercollegiate eligibility, but also around some of the draft eligible juniors. One such player, redshirt junior linebacker Josh Uche, has already declared his intentions to leave the program with a year on the table for the NFL Draft, but stated simultaneously that he’ll be playing in his final go-round against Alabama.

But what about the others? As far as the current players have noticed, there doesn’t seem to be any intentions by anyone to sit this game out. Everyone that can physically practice has done so, many noted on Sunday evening.

“I haven’t heard anything about it,” senior Ben Bredeson said when asked if he had or would address the team about playing in the VRBO Citrus Bowl. “There’s really nothing to address. I think everyone’s on the same page. Any chance you get to play for Michigan, everyone’s gonna do it.”

“I don’t think anyone’s gonna sit out,” junior defensive end Kwity Paye said. “We should end the season strong. I feel like a lot of our seniors didn’t end the season strong (against Ohio State). I feel like this is another way to do that.”

As far as those seniors who already are looking at their next steps, with some like quarterback Shea Patterson having already accepted a spot in the East-West Shrine Bowl — a showcase for outgoing college prospects for NFL scouts — they’re leading the way.

The word that kept getting bandied about on Sunday night was ‘opportunity,’ and that’s precisely how these players see going up against a perennial powerhouse in Alabama — even if it is in the VRBO Citrus Bowl, which is outside of both the playoffs and the New Year’s Six games.

And given how the final contest of the regular season went against Ohio State, many see it as a chance to wash the bad taste out of their mouths.

“Hopefully nobody’s sitting out,” Patterson said. “I talked to Josh Metellus, and we’re playing. I don’t think anybody has any room to sit out in this game. I think everybody, for anything, it’s an opportunity for the seniors. If they’re thinking about sitting out, it would only hurt them.”

“I wouldn’t expect anybody that can play to not play,” fifth-year senior linebacker Jordan Glasgow said. “We’re playing a very good Alabama team. You perform there, you create a very good situation for yourself going forward. So if anyone wants to sit out, I would say not to. I’d recommend not to because we’re playing a very good team. We have an opportunity to leave the team on a good note.”

Of course, it’s understandable that some might consider not playing, given the history even on this particular team.

In 2016, the Wolverines finished the season playing against Florida State in the Capital One Orange Bowl, a consolation prize given that the maize and blue were a questionable spot in Columbus away from being in the final four. Tight end Jake Butt, a team captain and projected early-round draft pick, had no considerations to not play in his final game in a winged helmet, and it ended up costing him.

Near the end of the first half, as a pass was launched Butt’s way down the sidelines, he came down awkwardly, and tore his ACL for the second-time in his Michigan career. He slid all the way from being a borderline first-to-second round pick to the first selection of the fifth-round in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Still, with a team like Alabama on the docket, which has either played in or won all but one of the College Football Playoff final games, regardless of the risk, it’s a chance to showcase your abilities more than any other, Patterson notes.

“I think it just depends on your situation,” Patterson said. “But anytime you have an opportunity to go out there and play and compete against the best in the country, it’s another opportunity to prove yourself.”

The VRBO Citrus Bowl is set to take place in Orlando on Jan. 1 at Camping World Stadium, with kickoff set for 1PM EST.

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Schemmy Awards: Hugh H. Rader Award (Top Offensive Linemen)

The Wolverines nominated four and picked two All-Big Ten first-teamers as their standouts of the year.

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As Michigan offensive line coach Ed Warinner tells it, the Wolverines are the best in the country in putting offensive linemen into the NFL. And while it was a weakness a few short years ago, now the maize and blue have not just one, but two All-Big Ten first-team offensive linemen.

Thus, when awarding the Hugh H. Rader Award, given to the team’s best offensive linemen, at the annual Schemmy Awards, the staff couldn’t pick just one player to earn the distinction.

Both men on the left side of the line, who are both of the aforementioned All-Big Ten first-teamers — Jon Runyan Jr. and team captain Ben Bredeson — won the award, as announced by Warinner at Crisler Center on Sunday night.

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4 potential Chargers prospects to watch in Week 14

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez gives you four potential Chargers to watch on Saturday.

It’s Saturday, which means it’s time for another edition of The Scouting Notebook.

The Scouting Notebook features prospects to keep an eye on when the majority of the college games take place. While some think it’s too early to talk about the 2020 NFL draft, there’s never a bad time to talk about the future of the Chargers.

With that being said, here are four prospects to watch for in Week 14.

G Ben Bredeson, Michigan, #74, 9:00 a.m. PT, FOX

The offensive tackle position is seen as a glaring area that needs to be addressed, but the interior part of the offensive line could get revamped. Guard Michael Schofield is an unrestricted free agent after this season and the future of Forrest Lamp is unknown after struggling to stay healthy.

Bredeson, senior and captain of the Wolverines, has plug-and-play traits. He looks the part at 6-foot-4 and 329 pounds and checks the necessary NFL boxes with his athleticism, strength, intelligence as a pass protector and a run blocker.

Through Week 14, Bredeson has 403 pass block snaps and has allowed only five pressures and zero sacks.

Today, Bredeson will be under the microscope of many NFL evaluators as he is set to go up against a stout Ohio State defensive line.

LB Kamal Martin, Minnesota, #21, 12:30 p.m. PT, ABC

Thomas Davis can’t play forever, Denzel Perryman only has one more year under contract after this season and Jatavis Brown is set to become an unrestricted free agent. The Chargers will look to get younger at the linebacker position.

Standing at 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds, Martin has terrific length for the position with long arm, in which he uses to discard blockers. He consistently rallies to the ball with ideal ball awareness and aggressive intentions in pursuit.

In four years, Martin has amassed 168 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks nine passes defensed and four interceptions.

WR Chase Claypool, Notre Dame, #83, 1:00 p.m. PT, NBC

At some point this offseason, the wide receiver position will likely be addressed to add a true No. 3 to the mix, and Claypool would be the perfect addition.

Towering at 6-foot-4 and 229 pounds, Claypool is physically imposing, showing the ability to box out, out-physical defenders and handle the ball. While he isn’t a speed demon, he is a possession target to turn catches downfield and always looking to create after the catch.

Whether it’s for Philip Rivers or the quarterback of the future next season, Claypool would supply a big target, who has the ball skills to be a reliable chain-mover.

CB Jaylon Johnson, Utah, #1 4:30 p.m. PT, ABC

The Chargers would solidify their secondary by adding a playmaker opposite of cornerback Casey Hayward, which is why they could look to do so in the first couple rounds.

Standing at 6-foot and 195 pounds, Johnson has a knack for the football, intercepting two passes and deflecting nine. His stats would look more padded, but opposing quarterbacks don’t bother throwing in his direction. Johnson has also shown the ability to make open field tackles.

Johnson has shut down some of the best receivers he’s lined up across, and he will have one of his toughest yet facing Colorado’s Laviska Shenault Jr., who is touted as one of the top wideouts in this year’s class.

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Michigan players: Beating Ohio State is season-defining

Michigan football will try and upset the Buckeyes on Saturday, as the Wolverines know this is a season-defining game for them.

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No matter the record, no matter the history, no matter what is going on, every year the biggest game for Michigan is against Ohio State. The same goes for the Buckeyes as they treat it just as serious as the Wolverines, if not a step further.

Michigan has been on the losing end of the rivalry for the past 15 years, winning just once in 2011. Despite the lopsidedness in recent years, both teams still want to go out and win this game more than any other on their schedule. It’s the Superbowl for both teams and even if they ever both come into the game 0-11, that one win would mean even more knowing that it was against their rival and that 12th loss would sting more than the rest.

This year’s win could be a huge defining game for both teams. If Michigan wins, it’s easily their best win on the season as they would beat the best team in college football and have the Buckeyes only loss be to them would be something they could throw at them, even if they win the national championship.

If Ohio State wins the game, they go undefeated and secure a playoff spot for themselves and defeat another ranked team to boost their strength of schedule argument and once again proclaim that they own the Wolverines.

The players on Michigan know just how much of a season-defining game this can be for this team, and how important it is to their season every year.

“I believe this game is a big part of our season, put the icing on top of our season,” linebacker Khaleke Hudson said. “It’s huge for us. Feel like we don’t got nothing to lose, we’re going out there with just a dawg mentality. Just try to go out there and try to ruin anything they got planned on going while still staying to our task. Staying true to what we want to do for the rest of our season. Just going out there and trying to be the best team.”

“We always want to win the game, (go) against this team with a win,” wide receiver Nico Collins said. “This is probably the most important time of the year in November. Those are the ones you remember.

Not only do the players know it’s a big game for them, but they also know how important it is to Ohio State, their players and the coaching staff.

“Absolutely, I think this is a huge part of both of our programs, is this matchup,” offensive lineman Ben Bredeson said. “I think any time you beat Ohio State or they beat us, it’s considered a good season at the respective school. Obviously, there’s other games on the schedule, but we all know which one’s the most important.”

“Yeah, to me, I think it does, probably them, too,” tight end Nick Eubanks said. “It probably defines their season as well. We know what type of game this is. We know what we need in this game. We’re looking for the results on Saturday.”

What kind of results will be on the stat sheet when the clock it’s all zeros after the fourth quarter happens? Only time will tell on that answer but both teams will be hoping their team scored more after 60 minutes as their seasons could drastically change after this game, win or lose.

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Michigan seniors ready to touch the banner one last time

Michigan seniors Shea Patterson, Ben Bredeson, Khaleke Hudson and Carlo Kemp discuss their final game at the Big House.

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The pageantry of college football is one of the things that makes it special. Every program is unique in its pregame traditions and rituals.

At Oklahoma, they ride the Sooner Schooner. At Colorado, they run with Ralphie. At Ohio State, they dot the I.

And at Michigan, they touch the ‘M Go Blue’ banner.

This Saturday, before the Wolverines battle the Buckeyes in the season-finale, Michigan’s seniors will slap the banner for the final time in their careers.

“I’m trying not to think about it much,” offensive guard Ben Bredeson said. “I’m just going to enjoy every second of it. There’s no other team I’d rather play my last game at home.”

Bredeson’s sentiment – that there was no other opponent than Ohio State that he’d rather compete against in his final home game – was shared by many of his fellow seniors.

“It’s a dream come true,” quarterback Shea Patterson said. “There’s no better way to go out than with a great team like Ohio State coming in. They’re the No. 1 team in the country. It’s gonna be an incredible challenge and it’s one we’re looking forward to.”

Bredeson and Patterson each had decisions to make after last season’s 10-3 finish. Both were eligible to enter the NFL Draft, yet both chose to participate in their senior season of college football. At least for Patterson, last year’s defeat that the hands of Ohio State played a part in the decision.

“It was a huge part of it,” Patterson said. “I love playing for this team, I love playing for these coaches. I love my teammates and this university. Not only myself, but there’s countless seniors in this class that have lived the whole 365 to play in this game. We’ll be ready for it.”

The quarterback has the opportunity to even up his record against the Buckeyes to 1-1. The fourth- or fifth-year seniors don’t have that luxury this Saturday, having already lost all of their previous matchups with Ohio State, but they still have this final chance to avoid going winless in The Game.

“It’s super important because it’s your last game with all your brothers in this rivalry,” defensivetackle Carlo Kemp said. “It’s something that you talk about. You talk about this game when you’re a freshman. You watch the seniors play in this game when you’re younger, and you get to learn that history and be a part of it. It’s just something special.

“Knowing we get this opportunity one last time at home, it’s a huge honor.”

Perhaps no senior, or player for that matter, on Michigan’s roster is more ready for the final shot at the Buckeyes than linebacker Khaleke Hudson.

“It’s very important — just like every other game is very important,” Hudson said. “We’re just gonna do everything we can to prepare ourselves, the way we go into that game on Saturday with utmost confidence, just knowing that you’ve got your brothers’ back, your coaches believe in you, the fans believe in you, and everybody that means something to The Game believes in you. We’re ready to go.”

These seniors have experienced highs and lows. They’ve seen their program rise into the College Football Playoff’s Top 5 in 2016 and 2018. They’ve seen their program finish the season unranked in 2017. As freshman, some of them were there when the Wolverines lost in double-overtime in the Horseshoe in 2016. Most of them were here for last season’s lopsided loss as well.

It’s all led to this. One last touch of the banner. One last shot at Ohio State.

“I wouldn’t change a thing up to this point,” Patterson said. “This is a team that’s been through so much the past two years, this season — how we’ve been battling. We’re battle-tested. We’ve lost. Double-overtime. We’ve been through some stuff this year. I can’t sit here and tell you how it’s gonna play out on Saturday, but I can tell you that we’re going to give it everything we’ve got.”

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Michigan hoping homefield advantage can play difference against Ohio State

Can the Wolverines continue to get some homefield magic on Saturday? Especially since Shea Patterson has never lost a game at The Big House.

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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — In recent memory, when Michigan has been good, it’s had to face Ohio State in Columbus.

Sure, the 2015 team was decent, but it wasn’t necessarily elite like the 2016 or 2018 teams looked close to being. In 2017, the Wolverines were injury-depleted, and went into that game looking like it wouldn’t stand a chance.

This year is different. The maize and blue look as if they’re peaking at the right time, and despite two losses, suddenly look like a team that could take on anybody.

There’s a lot more confidence in this squad than there was earlier in the season, and that’s precisely what head coach Jim Harbaugh sees in his team at the moment.

“We’re excited to play, we’re confident,” Harbaugh said. “Looking forward to today’s preparation. Looking forward to the game, looking forward to playing at home. Looking forward to every possible thing about it.”

It also helps that Michigan just doesn’t often lose at home.

Since Jim Harbaugh arrived in 2015, it’s lost to a grand total of two teams at The Big House. Unfortunately, one of those is Ohio State.

In 2015, Michigan lost to MSU on perhaps the flukiest play in college football history, and then lost to OSU in a blowout, with D.J. Durkin — who had already accepted the Maryland job — seeing his defense get gashed in the second-half.

The Wolverines were undefeated at home in 2016.

In 2017, the team lost in a monsoon to MSU and gave a superior Buckeyes squad all it could handle, despite the various personnel issues.

Michigan was undefeated at home again in 2018.

The Wolverines two losses this year both came on the road at Wisconsin and at Penn State. That means that starting quarterback Shea Patterson has never walked off the field with his head cowered having suffered a loss after touching the banner earlier in the day. Will that trend continue on Saturday?

One thing is for sure, as Harbaugh noted, this team is playing with utmost confidence, and is playing much differently than it was earlier in the season, shellacking Notre Dame and MSU at home and even taking it to a good Indiana team in Bloomington this past week.

Team captain and senior left guard Ben Bredeson says that this is a team that’s playing with more swagger now than before and playing the big games at home is certainly making a difference.

“I think the feel of the team, really started after the Indiana game,” Bredeson said. “Everyone is fired up that (The Game) is finally here. We finally get to play in The Game. Homefield advantage — it’s obviously huge. We love being able to play in front of our fans and just have our home routine. Everything is a lot easier when the game is in Ann Arbor.”

“Yeah, I love playing at home,” Shea Patterson said. “It was always a dream to play at The Big House. Used to come to games all the time with my dad when I was little. It’s a dream come true.”

For Patterson, it wasn’t just about getting another shot against the Buckeyes that helped convince him to come back his senior year.

As the game was dwindling in Columbus a year ago, he huddled with receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones as they formulated a plan to return stronger than ever in 2019, knowing that they’d have homefield advantage this time around.

“I remember we were on the sideline when things got out of hand in the fourth quarter,” Patterson said. “Just sitting there with Donovan (Peoples-Jones), standing up watching the remaining minutes of that game and just remembering that we were going to get another shot at them at a different place.”

We’ll see Saturday, starting at noon EST if Patterson’s magic at The Big House continues, and if he can finish his career undefeated at home.

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