The Skinny on Michigan - NW Rivals interviews UM Rivals writer on UM strengths and weaknesses, injuries and expectations for Saturday
MSU Mailbag- Readers submit questions on MSU to Matt Charboneau on various subjects including the season expectations, the OL, injuries, CMT and the defense amongst other things.
Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines are 6-0 and ranked sixth. (Lon Horwedel)
Michael Fitzpatrick
WildcatReport Writer
Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald said that Michigan will be the Wildcats' toughest challenge yet this season.
The Wolverines have rattled off six straight wins to start the season and find themselves ranked in the Top 10. It is a welcome sight for the Maize and Blue faithful, as Michigan struggled through a disappointing 2020 season.
The strength of the Wolverines has been their two-headed rushing attack of Blake Corum and Hassan Haskins, who have torched opponents on the ground this season.
So we went to TheWolverine writer Clayton Sayfie to get the inside scoop on the Wolverines to see what kind of a challenge the Wildcats will face Saturday in The Big House.
Here is our Q&A:
Q. What’s your read on Michigan so far this season?
Sayfie: My read is that this feels like a Jim Harbaugh-coached Michigan team, unlike last season, which was riddled with opt-outs and injuries. The Wolverines compete hard and have an identity of being physical, and are much improved from a year ago.
How improved? We're going to find out over the next several weeks, with 'red-letter games' at Michigan State (Oct. 30), at Penn State (Nov. 13) and versus Ohio State (Nov. 27) all on the horizon.
Blake Corum leads Michigan with 610 rushing yards. (USA TODAY Sports Images)
Q. During the offseason, there was speculation that Jim Harbaugh might get fired. He ended up getting extended and has started 6-0 now. What’s the vibe around him and his job security?
Sayfie: It was a very interesting and unique situation. Having won 70 percent of his games and posting 10-win seasons in three of his five full-length campaigns at the helm, he wasn't on the verge of being fired in a traditional sense. However, he was the only Power Five head coach with one year remaining on his contract, with negotiations having been put on hold once the coronavirus pandemic hit last March, so a decision had to be made on both sides.
Ultimately, Harbaugh didn't want to leave, and Michigan wanted to bring him back but slashed his base salary in half and upped his incentives. The vibe around him at 6-0 is extremely good, and it appears that he's won over some of the fan base that wasn't on his side back in the winter ... for now. Again, there are big games upcoming, and the expectations are always sky high here in Ann Arbor. He knows that, and embraces that, more than anyone. Nobody is taking "a deep, long bow" halfway through the year, he says.
Q. Blake Corum and Hassan Haskins have been the headliners for Michigan’s offense, are there any underrated playmakers on that side of the ball?
Sayfie: Blake Corum and Hassan Haskins have been outstanding, as you noted. While we won't take anything away from what they've done, the offensive line deserves a lot of credit. After injuries plagued the group last season and guys were shuffling in and out, the Wolverines have gelled up front faster than many imagined. Leading the way there has been sixth-year senior center Andrew Vastardis, a captain, and redshirt junior right tackle Andrew Stueber, who is playing his best football.
We also have to mention quarterback Cade McNamara, who has run this offense at an very high level. While the Maize and Blue lean on their run game, McNamara has had to make some big throws, especially over the last two weeks, and has delivered in significant moments. The biggest compliment he can be paid is that he doesn't make many mistakes, having taken just one sack and thrown one interception this season, completing 60.5 percent of his passes for five touchdowns. It's important to note he's doing all of that without his top wide receiver, junior Ronnie Bell, who suffered a season-ending knee injury two quarters into the season.
Q. How has Michigan’s defense changed after Don Brown’s departure this offseason?
Sayfie: Michigan's defense has changed drastically now that first-year coordinator Mike Macdonald is in charge. The Wolverines are playing zone coverage more, mixing up fronts and disguising what they want to do pre-snap. L
ed by junior defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, a projected first-round draft pick who was recently called the "best player in college football" by a PFF analyst, this defense has continually come up with big stops. They're willing to 'bend' much more than they were under Brown, giving up some short yardage throws on the outside, etc., but have done a good job eventually making the opposition punt or attempt field goals. The unit ranks ninth nationally in scoring defense (15.5 points per game) and 23rd in total defense (310 yards per contest).
DE Aidan Hutchinson is a projected first-round draft pick. (USA TODAY Sports Images)
Q. What’s the area where you think Michigan has the biggest advantage over Northwestern in this game?
Sayfie: The biggest advantage for Michigan in this matchup is its rushing attack going up against a Northwestern run defense that has struggled mightily. Wildcat head coach Pat Fitzgerald admitted this week that his group has made strides but still has a long way to go, and said the Wolverines are the best team they'll have played to this point.
Highlighted by Corum, Haskins and a physical offensive line, Michigan is racking up 246.5 yards per game on the ground, which ranks seventh in the country, and 5.5 yards per carry (14th). Northwestern, on the other hand, slots 118th in rushing yards per game allowed (206.2).
Q. On the flip side, what area concerns you the most going into this game?
Sayfie: My biggest concern from a Michigan perspective is that the Wolverines could be rusty after a bye week, and may be looking ahead to a matchup with top-10 Michigan State next week. They've said all the right things in that regard this week — including Harbaugh raving about a Sunday night practice that he described as the best he's ever seen after a few days off — but you just never know what can happen in a spot like this.
In addition, the Maize and Blue are dealing with some injuries, including to both starting offensive guards, Trevor Keegan and Zak Zinter, and wideout Roman Wilson. While the bye week helped and Harbaugh said there's a 'good possibility' all will be full-go, he's traditionally been tight-lipped about injuries and, again, you never know until they show up Saturday morning.
Q. Finally, how do you think things will shake out at the Big House on Saturday and what is your final score prediction?
Sayfie: With it being a 23.5-point spread at the moment, I'm fairly confident that Michigan will come out on top. But it's an interesting game to pick a final score for.
Northwestern did some good things last week, albeit against Rutgers, and the Wolverines are coming off a bye. Do they still hold the momentum they had before the idle week? Ultimately, I think Michigan has the advantage in the trenches, first and foremost, and most other areas, which will allow it to cruise to victory.
Prediction: Michigan 45 Northwestern 7.
The Detroit News
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Michigan State has the week off, but that hardly means the attention has waned.
In fact, with Mel Tucker’s name coming up in the chatter about who might be the next coach at LSU, it has Spartans fans wondering what’s going on.
We do our best to tackle that in this week’s mailbag while also looking ahead to the final five games of the season and even mixing in a basketball question — the season starts next week with an exhibition game, folks.
► Question. Tuck comin or Tuck leaving? — @patondan
► Answer. Well, that sums it up quite simply, doesn’t it, Dan. Not surprisingly, there were plenty of questions this week that all surrounded the idea that LSU is reportedly high on the Michigan State coach as a replacement for Ed Orgeron, who is out at the end of the season. As of right now, I’d say no one has a real good idea of where Tucker stands. With the Spartans off this week, the team has opted to have no media availability, so it’s been impossible to directly ask Tucker and we’re left to speculate to an extent.
’ll say this, when a high-end SEC job comes open and the school wants to talk, you probably listen. That doesn’t mean Tucker is taking it, but he’d be nuts not to at least take the call. That said, you have to wonder if what is offered at LSU right now is actually a better fit. Tucker has everything he wants right now — momentum in recruiting, a commitment to improve facilities, an athletic director he likes and a program with the resources to compete. Now, would that change if LSU — or any other school, for that matter — offered a massive pay increase, say to $9 or $10 million? Maybe. We’ll have to see. But even if this passes and Tucker stays, don’t count on this being the last time we’re talking about this.
► Q. Pick three current MSU football players who are a lock to be picked in the NFL draft? — @pfnnewmedia
► A. Right now I’d have to say Kenneth Walker III, Jayden Reed and Xavier Henderson. I think those are the safest bets, and quite likely, it will be next spring that it happens. Where they’ll be picked? Well, that’s anyone’s guess, but I’d be shocked if all three aren’t high on the draft boards of most NFL teams.
Who else might we see this year, or at least soon? I’d expect Jalen Nailor to get a shot in the NFL as well as some of the offensive linemen like Jarrett Horst and J.D. Duplain. Defensively, Jacub Panasiuk does nothing but produce while linebacker Quavaris Crouch has all the physical tools. Also, keep an eye on safety Angelo Grose down the road. There are plenty more that could get to that point, but those are names that jump out right now.
► Q. Your prediction of six wins is officially wrong. So what's your bye week adjusted view? Even going 2-3 gets them to a NY6, right? — @pfnnewmedia
► A. I know, I know. I’m wrong. Me and a bunch of other people. I guess my adjusted prediction would be 10-2, maybe 9-3 to be on the safe side, but I really think 10-2 is realistic. Do that and a New Year’s Six game is possible, but hardly certain. I’d say this, they would do no worse than one of the New Year’s Day Florida bowls — Citrus or Outback. Any of those would be a pretty good year, all things considered.
► Q. Is the defense actually good, or have we played weak offenses? A bit of both? How do they stack up against UM/OSU? — @swiftlydwnfield
► A. Well, I think it would be a bit unfair to say they’ve only played against weak offenses. Sure, they haven’t played Ohio State yet, but few offenses are as potent as the Buckeyes. I’m going to say they’re good, not great. But they’re definitely good when you see how they’re getting after the quarterback, creating turnovers and keeping teams out of the end zone.
Yes, the passing yards can get frustrating, but the Spartans rank in the top 25 in the nation in a number of different categories, including fourth in sacks per game (3.71), 16th in scoring defense (18.7), 20th in turnovers forced (12) and 22nd in red zone touchdown percentage (46.15). All of that adds up to a pretty solid unit.
► Q. Is the offensive line capable of handling the remaining defenses on the schedule? — @bhiggins42
► A. They’re capable of holding their own, to be sure. Now, will they dominate the line of scrimmage? That seems like a bit more of a stretch. Nebraska and Indiana were both physical up front, and in each game the rushing yardage was much tougher to come by. Expect more of the same over the final five weeks, but I also don’t expect the Spartans’ offensive line to be overwhelmed.
► Q. Any idea if some of the long injured players might be ready for Michigan? Maybe held out through the bye week to heal up? — @Aurelius291
► A. Good question, and I wish I had better answers, but unfortunately Michigan State keeps things pretty close to the vest with injuries. There was some chatter that defensive end Drew Beesley could be available for that game and running back Elijah Collins could also be a possibility, but until I see those guys on the field and ready to go, it’s hard to speculate.
A couple others to keep an eye on include defensive tackle Jalen Hunt, who did not play at Indiana, and defensive end Itayvion Brown, who has been out since playing in the season opener.
► Q. Is there a replacement for coach Izzo in the wings? I don’t want him going anywhere, but I also don’t want a severe drop off when he leaves. — @wadster13
► A. This is a question that comes up fairly often and the short answer is, no, there is not a replacement waiting in the wings. There are plenty of folks who think going with associate head coach Dwayne Stephens would be a solid move, me included. He’s a smart basketball guy and is a top-level recruiter who surprisingly hasn’t drawn a lot of interest beyond some mid-majors over the years. He might not be the flashy name some will hope for, but remember, neither was Izzo.
That said, it’s a little early to get a gauge on how athletic director Alan Haller feels about it, and, of course, you’d have to expect Izzo to have a significant say in the matter.
mcharboneau@detroitnews.com
MSU Mailbag- Readers submit questions on MSU to Matt Charboneau on various subjects including the season expectations, the OL, injuries, CMT and the defense amongst other things.
The skinny on Michigan
Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines are 6-0 and ranked sixth. (Lon Horwedel)
Michael Fitzpatrick
WildcatReport Writer
Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald said that Michigan will be the Wildcats' toughest challenge yet this season.
The Wolverines have rattled off six straight wins to start the season and find themselves ranked in the Top 10. It is a welcome sight for the Maize and Blue faithful, as Michigan struggled through a disappointing 2020 season.
The strength of the Wolverines has been their two-headed rushing attack of Blake Corum and Hassan Haskins, who have torched opponents on the ground this season.
So we went to TheWolverine writer Clayton Sayfie to get the inside scoop on the Wolverines to see what kind of a challenge the Wildcats will face Saturday in The Big House.
Here is our Q&A:
Q. What’s your read on Michigan so far this season?
Sayfie: My read is that this feels like a Jim Harbaugh-coached Michigan team, unlike last season, which was riddled with opt-outs and injuries. The Wolverines compete hard and have an identity of being physical, and are much improved from a year ago.
How improved? We're going to find out over the next several weeks, with 'red-letter games' at Michigan State (Oct. 30), at Penn State (Nov. 13) and versus Ohio State (Nov. 27) all on the horizon.
Blake Corum leads Michigan with 610 rushing yards. (USA TODAY Sports Images)
Q. During the offseason, there was speculation that Jim Harbaugh might get fired. He ended up getting extended and has started 6-0 now. What’s the vibe around him and his job security?
Sayfie: It was a very interesting and unique situation. Having won 70 percent of his games and posting 10-win seasons in three of his five full-length campaigns at the helm, he wasn't on the verge of being fired in a traditional sense. However, he was the only Power Five head coach with one year remaining on his contract, with negotiations having been put on hold once the coronavirus pandemic hit last March, so a decision had to be made on both sides.
Ultimately, Harbaugh didn't want to leave, and Michigan wanted to bring him back but slashed his base salary in half and upped his incentives. The vibe around him at 6-0 is extremely good, and it appears that he's won over some of the fan base that wasn't on his side back in the winter ... for now. Again, there are big games upcoming, and the expectations are always sky high here in Ann Arbor. He knows that, and embraces that, more than anyone. Nobody is taking "a deep, long bow" halfway through the year, he says.
Q. Blake Corum and Hassan Haskins have been the headliners for Michigan’s offense, are there any underrated playmakers on that side of the ball?
Sayfie: Blake Corum and Hassan Haskins have been outstanding, as you noted. While we won't take anything away from what they've done, the offensive line deserves a lot of credit. After injuries plagued the group last season and guys were shuffling in and out, the Wolverines have gelled up front faster than many imagined. Leading the way there has been sixth-year senior center Andrew Vastardis, a captain, and redshirt junior right tackle Andrew Stueber, who is playing his best football.
We also have to mention quarterback Cade McNamara, who has run this offense at an very high level. While the Maize and Blue lean on their run game, McNamara has had to make some big throws, especially over the last two weeks, and has delivered in significant moments. The biggest compliment he can be paid is that he doesn't make many mistakes, having taken just one sack and thrown one interception this season, completing 60.5 percent of his passes for five touchdowns. It's important to note he's doing all of that without his top wide receiver, junior Ronnie Bell, who suffered a season-ending knee injury two quarters into the season.
Q. How has Michigan’s defense changed after Don Brown’s departure this offseason?
Sayfie: Michigan's defense has changed drastically now that first-year coordinator Mike Macdonald is in charge. The Wolverines are playing zone coverage more, mixing up fronts and disguising what they want to do pre-snap. L
ed by junior defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, a projected first-round draft pick who was recently called the "best player in college football" by a PFF analyst, this defense has continually come up with big stops. They're willing to 'bend' much more than they were under Brown, giving up some short yardage throws on the outside, etc., but have done a good job eventually making the opposition punt or attempt field goals. The unit ranks ninth nationally in scoring defense (15.5 points per game) and 23rd in total defense (310 yards per contest).
DE Aidan Hutchinson is a projected first-round draft pick. (USA TODAY Sports Images)
Q. What’s the area where you think Michigan has the biggest advantage over Northwestern in this game?
Sayfie: The biggest advantage for Michigan in this matchup is its rushing attack going up against a Northwestern run defense that has struggled mightily. Wildcat head coach Pat Fitzgerald admitted this week that his group has made strides but still has a long way to go, and said the Wolverines are the best team they'll have played to this point.
Highlighted by Corum, Haskins and a physical offensive line, Michigan is racking up 246.5 yards per game on the ground, which ranks seventh in the country, and 5.5 yards per carry (14th). Northwestern, on the other hand, slots 118th in rushing yards per game allowed (206.2).
Q. On the flip side, what area concerns you the most going into this game?
Sayfie: My biggest concern from a Michigan perspective is that the Wolverines could be rusty after a bye week, and may be looking ahead to a matchup with top-10 Michigan State next week. They've said all the right things in that regard this week — including Harbaugh raving about a Sunday night practice that he described as the best he's ever seen after a few days off — but you just never know what can happen in a spot like this.
In addition, the Maize and Blue are dealing with some injuries, including to both starting offensive guards, Trevor Keegan and Zak Zinter, and wideout Roman Wilson. While the bye week helped and Harbaugh said there's a 'good possibility' all will be full-go, he's traditionally been tight-lipped about injuries and, again, you never know until they show up Saturday morning.
Q. Finally, how do you think things will shake out at the Big House on Saturday and what is your final score prediction?
Sayfie: With it being a 23.5-point spread at the moment, I'm fairly confident that Michigan will come out on top. But it's an interesting game to pick a final score for.
Northwestern did some good things last week, albeit against Rutgers, and the Wolverines are coming off a bye. Do they still hold the momentum they had before the idle week? Ultimately, I think Michigan has the advantage in the trenches, first and foremost, and most other areas, which will allow it to cruise to victory.
Prediction: Michigan 45 Northwestern 7.
Michigan State mailbag: Tackling Mel Tucker-LSU talk, looking ahead at rest of schedule
Matt CharboneauThe Detroit News
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Michigan State has the week off, but that hardly means the attention has waned.
In fact, with Mel Tucker’s name coming up in the chatter about who might be the next coach at LSU, it has Spartans fans wondering what’s going on.
We do our best to tackle that in this week’s mailbag while also looking ahead to the final five games of the season and even mixing in a basketball question — the season starts next week with an exhibition game, folks.
► Question. Tuck comin or Tuck leaving? — @patondan
► Answer. Well, that sums it up quite simply, doesn’t it, Dan. Not surprisingly, there were plenty of questions this week that all surrounded the idea that LSU is reportedly high on the Michigan State coach as a replacement for Ed Orgeron, who is out at the end of the season. As of right now, I’d say no one has a real good idea of where Tucker stands. With the Spartans off this week, the team has opted to have no media availability, so it’s been impossible to directly ask Tucker and we’re left to speculate to an extent.
’ll say this, when a high-end SEC job comes open and the school wants to talk, you probably listen. That doesn’t mean Tucker is taking it, but he’d be nuts not to at least take the call. That said, you have to wonder if what is offered at LSU right now is actually a better fit. Tucker has everything he wants right now — momentum in recruiting, a commitment to improve facilities, an athletic director he likes and a program with the resources to compete. Now, would that change if LSU — or any other school, for that matter — offered a massive pay increase, say to $9 or $10 million? Maybe. We’ll have to see. But even if this passes and Tucker stays, don’t count on this being the last time we’re talking about this.
► Q. Pick three current MSU football players who are a lock to be picked in the NFL draft? — @pfnnewmedia
► A. Right now I’d have to say Kenneth Walker III, Jayden Reed and Xavier Henderson. I think those are the safest bets, and quite likely, it will be next spring that it happens. Where they’ll be picked? Well, that’s anyone’s guess, but I’d be shocked if all three aren’t high on the draft boards of most NFL teams.
Who else might we see this year, or at least soon? I’d expect Jalen Nailor to get a shot in the NFL as well as some of the offensive linemen like Jarrett Horst and J.D. Duplain. Defensively, Jacub Panasiuk does nothing but produce while linebacker Quavaris Crouch has all the physical tools. Also, keep an eye on safety Angelo Grose down the road. There are plenty more that could get to that point, but those are names that jump out right now.
► Q. Your prediction of six wins is officially wrong. So what's your bye week adjusted view? Even going 2-3 gets them to a NY6, right? — @pfnnewmedia
► A. I know, I know. I’m wrong. Me and a bunch of other people. I guess my adjusted prediction would be 10-2, maybe 9-3 to be on the safe side, but I really think 10-2 is realistic. Do that and a New Year’s Six game is possible, but hardly certain. I’d say this, they would do no worse than one of the New Year’s Day Florida bowls — Citrus or Outback. Any of those would be a pretty good year, all things considered.
► Q. Is the defense actually good, or have we played weak offenses? A bit of both? How do they stack up against UM/OSU? — @swiftlydwnfield
► A. Well, I think it would be a bit unfair to say they’ve only played against weak offenses. Sure, they haven’t played Ohio State yet, but few offenses are as potent as the Buckeyes. I’m going to say they’re good, not great. But they’re definitely good when you see how they’re getting after the quarterback, creating turnovers and keeping teams out of the end zone.
Yes, the passing yards can get frustrating, but the Spartans rank in the top 25 in the nation in a number of different categories, including fourth in sacks per game (3.71), 16th in scoring defense (18.7), 20th in turnovers forced (12) and 22nd in red zone touchdown percentage (46.15). All of that adds up to a pretty solid unit.
► Q. Is the offensive line capable of handling the remaining defenses on the schedule? — @bhiggins42
► A. They’re capable of holding their own, to be sure. Now, will they dominate the line of scrimmage? That seems like a bit more of a stretch. Nebraska and Indiana were both physical up front, and in each game the rushing yardage was much tougher to come by. Expect more of the same over the final five weeks, but I also don’t expect the Spartans’ offensive line to be overwhelmed.
► Q. Any idea if some of the long injured players might be ready for Michigan? Maybe held out through the bye week to heal up? — @Aurelius291
► A. Good question, and I wish I had better answers, but unfortunately Michigan State keeps things pretty close to the vest with injuries. There was some chatter that defensive end Drew Beesley could be available for that game and running back Elijah Collins could also be a possibility, but until I see those guys on the field and ready to go, it’s hard to speculate.
A couple others to keep an eye on include defensive tackle Jalen Hunt, who did not play at Indiana, and defensive end Itayvion Brown, who has been out since playing in the season opener.
► Q. Is there a replacement for coach Izzo in the wings? I don’t want him going anywhere, but I also don’t want a severe drop off when he leaves. — @wadster13
► A. This is a question that comes up fairly often and the short answer is, no, there is not a replacement waiting in the wings. There are plenty of folks who think going with associate head coach Dwayne Stephens would be a solid move, me included. He’s a smart basketball guy and is a top-level recruiter who surprisingly hasn’t drawn a lot of interest beyond some mid-majors over the years. He might not be the flashy name some will hope for, but remember, neither was Izzo.
That said, it’s a little early to get a gauge on how athletic director Alan Haller feels about it, and, of course, you’d have to expect Izzo to have a significant say in the matter.
mcharboneau@detroitnews.com
