Nick Eubanks – Page 3 – Syndication Server

Power Ranking: Michigan football future NFL draft potential

Where we envision the current crop of Wolverines to be drafted as of today if not much changes between now and next year.

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The 2020 NFL Draft is firmly in the rearview, but that means we can start taking a look towards the 2021 draft for the potential of those currently on the Michigan team.

The Wolverines had a tied second-best haul this past April, sending 10 players to the league — behind only LSU, who had 14. Could 2021 see even more of the maize and blue hear their name called by Commissioner Roger Goodell?

It’s certainly possible, even though Michigan is reloading on both sides of the ball. But, one could argue, that Jim Harbaugh is building a program more adept at sending more players to the pros.

So, we took all of the starter-quality players — and a likely starter, hence we’re not prognosticating a quarterback or a player who’s not the obvious winner at his position — who are entering their third year or beyond to estimate as of right now where they could go in the 2021 NFL Draft.

It’s a feature we very well could update during the season as it progresses.

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Future NFL draft Power Rankings:

1. Jalen Mayfield

Unsurprisingly, the top guy we picked is the one that ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. foresees as a future first-round draft pick.

2019 was Mayfield’s first year as a starter, but he already has the body to be an NFL caliber tackle, and he’s shown his prowess on the offensive line, helping contain Ohio State’s No. 2 pick overall in Chase Young in The Game this past November.

Linemen from either side of the ball from Michigan are more likely to be early-round picks, as evidenced by some of the latest first-round picks in the Jim Harbaugh era: Cesar Ruiz, Rashan Gary and Taco Charlton. Yes, Jabrill Peppers and Devin Bush Jr. were also first-rounders, but when you also look at the other early rounds, that’s where we’ve seen players like Josh Uche, Chase Winovich and Chris Wormley picked.

Given his upside and the fact that he’s only played one year as a starter and is looked at so highly at this juncture, Mayfield has the ability to potentially capitalize on an early departure if predictions hold true.

Where we see him as of now?

We’re going with Kiper and slating him as a first-round pick if he does choose to leave early, assuming he continues his level of play in 2020.

NEXT: An early-round wide receiver off the board?

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Michigan football grades from VRBO Citrus Bowl loss against Alabama

Michigan football lost to Alabama in the VRBO Citrus Bowl 35-16. How did each position grade out in the season finale?

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It wasn’t the way the Wolverines wanted to end their 2019 season, but against Alabama in the VRBO Citrus Bowl, they lost 35-16. It wasn’t a playoff game between the two programs, but it was still a prime bowl game for both teams.

Michigan had the lead at halftime 16-14, but they weren’t able to muster up any kind of offense in the second half against the Crimson Tide. The defense had trouble trying to stop the mighty offense from Alabama, and while they contained it at first, they couldn’t hold them back in the end. Check out below how each position was graded on their performance in the loss yesterday.

OFFENSE

Quarterback: C+

Shea Patterson didn’t play well in his final game as a Michigan Wolverine. He finished 17/37 for 233 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions, along with a fumble that was luckily recovered by the offense. He overthrew some passes to wide receivers that were wide open. He also didn’t have help sometimes as he would make some good throws to his receivers, but they couldn’t come down with it.

He took three sacks, which is a blessing as the Michigan offensive line helped him greatly. He did all he could to avoid pressure, but he just didn’t have it in him to play to his best abilities. Michigan needed the passing game to work, and with Patterson struggling it didn’t make anything easier for the offense.

Running Back: B

While the passing game was suffering, the running game was getting some action on the ground. Zach Charbonnet led the team in yards with 84 on 13 carries. Hassan Haskins got the start, but wasn’t as successful as Charbonnet, getting 61 yards on 18 carries.

The offensive line helped create good running lanes for both running backs, but they also broke some big tackles to gain extra yardage. Once Alabama started shutting down the running game though, Michigan’s offense crumbled.

Wide Receiver: C-

Donovan Peoples-Jones and Nico Collins both have to decide within the next 18 days on if they are going to the NFL or returning to Michigan for their senior year. Collins played well with four catches for 48 yards, but Peoples-Jones only could get one catch for 34 yards. That kind of performance won’t help his draft stock if he plans on declaring for the NFL.

The other wide receivers did well but also struggled with drops. Ronnie Bell had four catches for 53 yards, and Giles Jackson had four catches for a team-high 57 yards. Mike Sainristil had only one catch for eight yards. Overall the receivers couldn’t get much separation from the Alabama secondary and with drops all around the board, they weren’t helping out much either.

Tight End: B-

Nick Eubanks was the lone player to score on offense as he finished the game with two catches for 14 yards and a touchdown. The blocking by him and Sean McKeon was average and it was able to help out Patterson when he was faced with pressure.

Offensive Line: B+

The best unit on the offense was the offensive line hands down. While they let Patterson get sacked three times, they gave him a lot of time to throw the football. Even with the extra time, Patterson was forced to make some tough throws as the wide receivers couldn’t figure out how to get open.

Starting center Cesar Ruiz will have to decide his future at Michigan as well within the next 18 days. His loss would be a big blow to a unit that is already losing three starters, but his return to the school would help others develop and prepare to start on both sides of him.

Now onto the defense and special teams…

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Halftime Analysis of No. 13 Alabama vs No. 14 Michigan

It’s halftime in the VRBO Citrus Bowl and Michigan is up 16-14 against Alabama. What’s going the Wolverines way and what isn’t so far?

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Coming off their 56-27 beatdown from Ohio State, Michigan is looking to finish their 2019 season on a high note with an upset over the Alabama Crimson Tide. Michigan is looking for their 10th win of the season, the fourth 10-win season under the five years head coach Jim Harbaugh has been at Michigan. Alabama is 10-2 coming in with close losses to LSU and Auburn, with their chance to finish their season 11-2, or possibly 10-3, which would be their worst record since 2010.

Starting the game, Michigan had wide receiver Giles Jackson returned the opening kickoff 50 yards to midfield. The offense would stall out and get only two yards, punting the ball away on the first series. Alabama would respond with a bang, as quarterback Mac Jones found wide receiver Jerry Jeudy for an 85-yard touchdown pass and the Crimson Tide took the 7-0 lead.

Both teams would punt once again, then on Michigan’s third offensive possession, they would finally get a spark as the running game started to move the ball as the wide receivers couldn’t get much separation from the Alabama secondary. They would finish the drive with a seven-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Shea Patterson to tight end Nick Eubanks and Michigan tied the game at seven.

Alabama couldn’t do much on their following drive and had to punt again, and Michigan would keep on scoring. While it wasn’t a touchdown, Michigan was able to move down the field again and kicker Quinn Nordin would make a 36-yard field goal to take the 10-7.

Once again Alabama wasn’t able to get much of the offense rolling and was forced to punt. Michigan had some issues on offense but still was able to fight through the penalties they got on themselves. They could have possibly been able to keep fighting for more yards, but an illegal touching penalty killed them on third down and once again Michigan would have to kick a field goal. Nordin would make a 42-yard field goal to make it 13-7 Michigan.

Alabama would drive down the field, with some help from the Michigan defense as they had two penalties that extended the drive for the Crimson Tide. The drive would finish with a nine-yard touchdown run by running back Najee Harris to give Alabama the 14-13 lead.

Michigan wouldn’t finish the half quietly though, as they would get a first down on a crucial fourth and short play. While they couldn’t get further down the field, Nordin would barely make a 57-yard field goal and the Wolverines have the lead at halftime 16-14.

POSITIVES:

The ground game was working for the Wolverines, with running back Zach Charbonnet getting 10 carries for 73 yards. Running back Hassan Haskins got the start but hasn’t been able to do too much, getting 11 carries for 47 yards.
The offensive line has been giving Patterson time for most of the game. That has been huge for the offense as the receivers are needing time to separate themselves from the Alabama secondary players. The offensive line needs to keep Patterson upright and creating holes for the running backs as they have been the biggest difference so far today.

NEGATIVES:

While the Michigan secondary has been containing the Alabama wide receivers, the one they haven’t been able to contain well is Jeudy. He has four catches for 132 yards with a touchdown. While it is negative, the fact that Michigan is only letting one of the Alabama wide receivers play well instead of two or three of them is positive. Still, if the secondary can even slow down Jeudy somewhat, their defense has a better chance of keeping them in this game.
On the second touchdown drive for Alabama, Michigan had two penalties that kept Alabama alive, pass interference and a roughing the passer. Besides that drive, they have been doing well when it comes to not having penalties called on them. If Michigan didn’t hurt themselves on that drive, they could have held Alabama to three points, possibly zero. Those are when penalties are huge and can change up a game.

Contact/Follow @WolverinesWire/ @BKnappBlogs

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Nick Eubanks to return to Michigan for fifth-year

Michigan football tight end Nick Eubanks has announced he will return to Michigan for the 2020 season.

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The good news keeps rolling for the Michigan football team in 2020.

Late last night, it was announced that defensive end Kwity Paye would return for Michigan for his senior year by Paye himself. Today, another player announced their return to Michigan football in 2020.

Tight end Nick Eubanks announced on Instagram that he will hold off his NFL dreams another year and come wear the winged helmet for another season.

View this post on Instagram

🙏🏾 One Last Ride …

A post shared by || Nick Eubanks || (@banks_era_) on Dec 27, 2019 at 2:53pm PST

Eubanks has 34 catches for 458 yards and four touchdowns so far in his career at Michigan. With starting tight end Sean McKeon graduating, Eubanks will most likely be the starting tight end next season. With his role getting bigger, it increases his chances of getting more catches and boost his NFL draft stock for the 2021 NFL Draft.

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Predicting who returns to Michigan in 2020

Michigan football has many players who could leave for the NFL draft after the Citrus bowl. Who has a high risk of leaving or returning?

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The final game of the 2019 season is coming up quick for the Michigan football team. They take on the Alabama Crimson Tide on Thursday, January 1 at 1 p.m. in the Citrus Bowl. While the matchup is what everyone is talking about, there are two other questions people are asking and wondering before the game.

Who will be playing in the game, and who will be declaring for the NFL draft? While players participating in the bowl game in the past few years has been a controversial subject, Michigan expects it to be all hands on deck against Alabama as no players are expected to miss the bowl game this year.

The NFL declarations though, those haven’t been finalized just yet. Underclassmen have until January 20 to decide whether they are going to the NFL draft, or return to college for another year or two depending on their class. So far, only one Michigan player has declared for the draft, linebacker Josh Uche.

Now no information is known on whether any of these players will return or leave, this is solely a prediction. First, let’s get the easy one out of the way.

QB Shea Patterson – Leaves

This one is the most obvious of them all. Quarterback Shea Patterson could possibly pursue a fifth-year of eligibility, but he’s already accepted an invite to the East-West Shrine Game to help his NFL draft stock. While that doesn’t mean he is officially leaving, it’s a sign that he’s ready to move on.

Patterson has said he hasn’t thought about a possible fifth-year of eligibility and there honestly isn’t a reason for him to return. Patterson has had a solid career at Michigan, throwing for 5,428 yards, 44 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. While the 2021 NFL Draft class isn’t as loaded at the quarterback position as the 2020 NFL Draft class, Patterson has shown everything he can do at Michigan. Against Alabama too, it’s the perfect game to go out on.

WR Nico Collins – Stays

One of the top two wide receivers for Michigan that could declare for the draft this year is Nico Collins. Collins came onto the scene last year with former Michigan wide receiver Tarik Black getting injured before the season started. Since then Collins has been a big part in the Michigan passing game, known for his catches in coverage, drawing pass interference penalties and gaining big chunks of yardage as the deep threat.

In his three years at Michigan, Collins has 74 catches for 1,340 yards and 13 touchdowns. He’s shown his potential to be an NFL wide receiver, but this class is deep and there are more talented players than him out there right now. He’s improved since last season, but not enough to put him higher on a draft board. A senior year would be perfect for him to be a possible first-round wide receiver in 2021.

WR Donovan Peoples-Jones – Leaves

The other star wide receiver getting attention is Donovan Peoples-Jones. Peoples-Jones had a slow start at Michigan during his freshman year, but in 2018 he broke out and had another good year this season. While his numbers aren’t impressive to receive a first-round grade, if he can do well at the combine, he could see himself as a second-round pick.

In his three years at Michigan, Peoples-Jones has 102 catches for 1,293 yards with 14 touchdowns, along with 88 punt returns for 745 yards and two touchdowns. Peoples-Jones made some spectacular catches this season and his potential alone is the reason why he could declare.

TE Nick Eubanks – Stays

Backup tight end Nick Eubanks could declare for the NFL draft, and with starting tight end Sean McKeon graduating, Eubanks is projected to start next season at the position. Eubanks also hasn’t had that impressive of a career so far at Michigan, getting just 34 catches for 458 yards and four touchdowns.

Those numbers aren’t eye-popping and while Eubanks is talented, another year at Michigan would certainly help his chances at getting drafted in 2021. A good performance against Alabama though could possibly turn some heads.

C Cesar Ruiz – Leaves

Out of all of the players on this list, this one is the biggest one of them all. Starting center Cesar Ruiz returning would be a huge boost for an offensive line that is losing a lot next season. Left tackle Jon Runyan Jr, left guard Ben Bredeson, and right guard Michael Onwenu are all graduating. Right tackle Jalen Mayfield will return, so if Ruiz leaves, only one returning offensive lineman will be back in 2020.

Ruiz returning would be a big boost for the interior offensive line, and with tackle Andrew Stueber returning from his injury, that’d be three experienced linemen on the 2020 squad instead of two. Ruiz is one of the top centers in this draft class though, so his odds of getting drafted high are possible.

DT Michael Dwumfour – Stays

After having a powerful 2018 season, defensive tackle Michael Dwumfour didn’t have an impressive 2019 campaign to add on top of it. He is eligible to be a fifth-year senior and that would be a good option for him.

Dwumfour has 33 total tackles, six and a half tackles for loss, three sacks, two pass deflections, and an interception. His NFL draft stock isn’t high as of today as is, so another year wearing the winged helmet could give him a chance at getting his name called in April 2021.

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Outgoing transfer Tarik Black no longer with Michigan, won’t play in bowl game

The former Wolverines star’s Michigan career is done for good.

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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — It was a career that had a lot of promise in Ann Arbor, but now it’s over.

Now former Michigan wide receiver Tarik Black had both his freshman and sophomore seasons derailed with fractured bones in either foot, and while he returned healthy in 2019, he never became the focal point of the offense as he was when he first arrived on campus.

With 25 receptions for 323 yards and a touchdown, many anticipated a bigger year for Black, but with the end of the regular season also comes the end of his Michigan career, as he announced earlier this month that he has submitted his name into the NCAA transfer portal.

Being in the portal doesn’t necessarily indicate that a career at said institution is completely done — not until they select the next school of choice and sign. But Michigan tight end Nick Eubanks confirmed that he’s no longer with the team and won’t play in the VRBO Citrus Bowl.

Something he confirmed with a heavy heart given his relationship with him.

“He’s gone,” Eubanks said. “Personally, between me and him, I kinda feel sad about it. That’s somebody I surrounded myself with in terms of talking to him every day. Especially with him going through injuries and stuff like that. Me and him shared a bond, too. I was kinda sad about it when he announced it.”

Black finishes his Michigan career with 40 receptions for 507 yards and two touchdowns, each of his scores being in the season openers of 2017 and 2019.

As of now, the full complement of the Wolverines team, aside from Black, is practicing with full intentions to play in the Jan. 1 VRBO Citrus Bowl.

Nick Eubanks currently undecided about return to Michigan in 2020

The fourth-year Wolverine still doesn’t know whether or not he’ll put on a winged helmet or go to the pros in 2020.

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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan doesn’t have a ton of upperclassmen that are for sure departing for the NFL, save for the seniors who have exhausted their eligibility. Thus far, the only player eligible to return for another season who has announced their intentions to leave after the VRBO Citrus Bowl against Alabama is SAM linebacker Josh Uche, but assuredly others will follow suit.

With most eyes on receivers Nico Collins and Donovan Peoples-Jones, players who have not yet announced their intentions for 2020, there’s another player who’s weighing his options, and isn’t sure yet if he’ll be a Wolverine next year, or if he’ll try his hands in the NFL.

“I haven’t decided yet, but you know – there’s a chance,” fourth-year tight end Nick Eubanks said. “Personally I wouldn’t have a problem coming back next year, in terms of just trying to get better as an athlete, being able to work on my craft next year, if I do decide to come back. It’s been a decision so far and I haven’t made it yet.”

So what options is Eubanks weighing?

He’s isn’t quick to divulge, but notes a few pros and cons to remaining in Ann Arbor. While he’s fine with the school aspect, balancing that with football is a challenge in and of itself, but he does feel like he could benefit from another year with the coaching staff.

“Just thinking about everything I went through this year,” Eubanks said. “That’s basically been it. Especially school. School hasn’t been a problem, but just being able to come back here and go through the practices – that’s basically been it. And with the coaches, too, as well. Probably (would like) to get another year with Sherrone (Moore, Michigan’s tight ends coach).”

As of current, Eubanks hasn’t submitted his name to the NFL Draft advisory board to get a grade, something he says he intends to do soon, which will help inform his decision.

One place that Eubanks wants to improve — whether it be just in short order for this upcoming game against the Crimson Tide, or if he’s to return in 2020 — is his blocking.

That’s been a point of emphasis for him this year, and while he feels like he’s improved, he also feels like he could be better at it.

“I took it to a better level,” Eubanks said. “It could be great, but it’s kinda mediocre. Other than that, it’s gotten way better than it was freshman year.”

For now, Eubanks has another game to suit up in the maize and blue: the VRBO Citrus Bowl against Alabama, which kicks off at 1PM EST on Jan. 1 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.

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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Playing spoiler to Buckeyes season on the minds of Wolverines on Saturday

Michigan football takes on Ohio State this week with OSU heavily favored. The Wolverines are ignoring that and looking to play spoiler.

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Michigan vs. Ohio State this year has some hefty implications with it. Michigan needs all the help they can get to reach the College Football Playoffs and are most likely playing for a New Year’s Six bowl game, while the Buckeyes are almost a CFP guarantee if they are able to win at least one of their final two games.

Ohio State is coming in 11-0 and has a lot of pressure on them to win this game and finish the year undefeated. Not only finish undefeated but beating Michigan for the eighth year in a row and walk into the Big Ten title game as a playoff team no matter what.

While Michigan most likely won’t reach the playoffs, they can ruin the chances of the Buckeyes reaching there. They can also ruin the perfect season for the Buckeyes, making them see that the only loss was to Michigan. Playing as a spoiler can be another added layer to the game this year as Michigan would love nothing better than to put a damper on Ohio State’s season.

“This is something that’s not only important to them, but important to us,” tight end Nick Eubanks said. “This is going to be a physical game and we’re looking forward to the outcome. We can control the outcome. That’s one thing we’re looking for Saturday.”

Michigan is coming off a four-game winning streak after losing a heartbreaker to Penn State, and since that loss to the Nittany Lions, the Wolverines have rebounded well. The defense is playing tighter and the offense is finally hitting on all cylinders. Michigan knows they are playing well, and they know how good Ohio State is too.

“We know Ohio State is a great team — we’re a great team also,” wide receiver Nico Collins said. “We’ll see how it is on Saturday. Our goal is to end our season with a win. (I’m sure that’s their goal), too — we’ll just see who wants it more on Saturday.”

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Even amidst one-sided stretch, The Game remains as important as ever

Michigan hasn’t won the Big Ten in 15 years. They’ve beaten Ohio State once in that stretch. The two facts coinciding are not a coincidence.

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It’s often said that college football is built on rivalry games. Other sports have them – Yankees-Red Sox, Lakers-Celtics, Packers-Bears, Duke-North Carolina – but college football rivalries burn with a special intensity.

And if the sport itself is built on these rivalries, it isn’t too much of a stretch to suggest that programs are built on them as well.

Michigan-Ohio State is, in the minds of many, the greatest rivalry in college football. Some would go as far as to say it’s the greatest rivalry in all of sports, period.

As special as this game is to the fans on both sides, there’s nothing that compares to being an actual participant, whether as a coach or a player.

“I’m very aware of the rivalry, having played in it, having coached in it,” Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh said. “I grew up here and my dad was a coach. As I liken the Michigan State game to a state championship, this is even bigger. This is two-states’ championship, Michigan and Ohio. We’re excited about it. We’re excited for the challenge.”

Harbaugh watched his father coach in the game. He watched his mentor, Bo Schembechler, compete against Woody Hayes in the game.

“Pretty much had a pretty good understanding of this rivalry at a very young age,” Harbaugh said, noting also that he had great respect for the coaches and players on both sides.

Players born in these two states grow up with an appreciation for ‘The Game.’ Others born outside the rivalry, like Michigan’s Nick Eubanks – a native of Florida – quickly learn what it’s about once they step on campus.

“Michigan and Ohio State probably wasn’t relevant in my time, but as I grew up, started watching more football, it became known that this was a big rivalry,” Eubanks said. “I looked at this game more, the more I started getting interested in it. When I committed here, I had a chance my freshman year to see the big rivalry, it became very important to me and the team, too.”

Having grown up in Alabama, wide receiver Nico Collins is certainly aware of the ‘Iron Bowl’ between Alabama and Auburn – the rivalry that is often debated against ‘The Game’ as the top feud in the sport.

Collins may have grown up with the Iron Bowl, but his attention is fully on The Game this week.

“This game means a lot to me,” Collins said. “This game means a lot obviously to both teams, coaches. This game is really personal for everybody. I’ll go out Saturday, just have fun and enjoy the moment.”

Senior defensive tackle Carlo Kemp noted that even with a game-by-game approach, rivalry games stick in players’ minds throughout a season.

“This game means a lot to all of us just because there’s two games that you think about the entire year when you come to Michigan,” Kemp said. “Two of the most historic rivalries in all of football, in college sports. Nothing’s gonna change in our approach. Our whole approach this year has been day-by-day, brick-by-brick, game-by-game and on defense, play-by-play. That’s what it’s gonna take for us to be successful on Saturday.”

Linebacker Khaleke Hudson, a defensive captain alongside Kemp, agrees with his co-captain’s sentiments.

“It means a lot to me,” Hudson said. “Coming here, that’s one of your main goals, to come out and beat Ohio, beat Michigan State, beat Penn State, beat Wisconsin, beat the best teams in the Big Ten. This game means a lot to me.”

The past decade and a half of the rivalry has been unkind to the Wolverines. Michigan is 1-14 in that stretch, and it should come as no surprise that the Wolverines have failed to win a Big Ten championship over the same period.

Programs are built by beating their rivals. Ohio State has thrived in Big Ten play these past 15 seasons, winning or sharing the conference title nine times. Michigan’s program crumbled in the period, leading to an unprecedented conference title drought.

There are a lot of reasons why this game means so much to both programs, but the evidence above points to perhaps the biggest reason this rivalry is so important.

The Wolverines desperately need a win in The Game. Harbaugh desperately needs to end his winless streak as Michigan’s head coach in The Game. His program is depending on it.

“My feelings? I’m excited for the game. Excited. Up for and ready for the challenge,” Harbaugh said. “I love the competition. This is the biggest game of the year.”

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