Posts by: Thunder

Michigan 29, Michigan State 7

That was more difficult than it should have been. Michigan should have blown out MSU by more than 22 points. Offensively, the Spartans couldn’t do anything more than toss prayer balls up to 6’4″, 215 lb. wide receiver Keon Coleman, who had a great game with 5 catches for 155 yards and 1 touchdown. MSU averaged 4.75 yards per offensive player, a lower average than any game except when Ohio State held them to 4.21. But somehow a team ranked in the 100s in most pass defense categories held J.J. McCarthy to 15/25 completions, 167 yards, and 1 touchdown. The lack of a passing game forced Michigan to call on kicker Jake Moody 5 times, and he kicked 5 field goals, including a 54-yarder. It was a beating, but not as decisive as I wanted.

Hit the jump for more.

Preview: Michigan vs. Michigan State

RUSH OFFENSE vs. MSU RUSH DEFENSE
Michigan is tied at #7 in yards per game (241.71) nationally. Coincidentally, UAB has the exact same number of attempts (293) and yards (1,692) this season. Bell cow running back Blake Corum has 901 yards and 13 rushing touchdowns, and backup Donovan Edwards went wild against Penn State two weeks ago and now averages 7.1 yards/carry with 4 touchdowns this season. The offensive line has noticeably improved since the beginning of the season, even with Karsen Barnhart taking over at right tackle for the injured Trente Jones. Michigan State is #80 in rushing defense (153.3 yards allowed/game) and gives up a statistically mediocre (#65 nationally ) 4.0 yards per game. One of their best defensive players, nose tackle Jacob Slade (6’4″, 305), missed four games earlier this year, but he returned for the game against Wisconsin on October 15. Sophomore linebacker Cal Haladay (6’1″, 230) leads the team with 58 tackles, and cornerback Kendell Brooks (6’0″, 215) is second with 57. Former Wolverine Ben VanSumeren is third on the team with 53 stops. The advantage here is clearly Michigan’s.
Advantage: Michigan

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Visitors: Michigan vs. Michigan State

2023

Cole Cabana – RB – Dexter (MI) Dexter: Cabana is committed to Michigan (LINK).

D.J. Chester – OT – McDonough (GA) Eagle’s Landing Christian: Chester is a 6’5″, 300-pounder with offers from Auburn, LSU, Michigan, and Ole Miss, among others. He’s a 4-star, the #7 offensive tackle, and #55 overall. Auburn, LSU, and Ole Miss have already received official visits, and this is his fourth official of the process.

Spencer Fano – OT – Provo (UT) Timpview: Fano is a 6’5″, 270 lb. prospect with offers from BYU, Clemson, Michigan, Oregon, and Utah, among others. He’s a 4-star, the #8 offensive tackle, and #57 overall. He has visited Utah, Oregon, and Clemson, among others. This is an official visit.

Hit the jump for more.

Ex-Wolverine Updates: Week 8

FORMER PLAYERS

P George Caratan (UConn): Connecticut (3-5) had a bye. Caratan is averaging 40.6 yards on 44 punts.

C Zach Carpenter (Indiana): Carpenter is Indiana’s starting left guard. He had previously started at center, but a hand injury forced him to change positions.

RB Zach Charbonnet (UCLA): Charbonnet had 20 carries for 151 yards and 1 touchdown in a 45-30 loss to Oregon. He also had 4 catches for 28 yards.

If you’re not going to bring it when tackling Zach Charbonnet, you’ll be picking turf pellets out off your face pic.twitter.com/xWvzj6gN1H

— Joe Broback (@joebroback) October 22, 2022

S Sammy Faustin (UMass): UMass (1-6) had a bye. Faustin has not recorded any stats so far this year.

OG Chuck Filiaga (Minnesota): Filiaga is a sixth year senior who starts at right guard for the Gophers.

CB Darion Green-Warren (Nevada): Green-Warren did not record any stats in a 23-7 loss to San Diego State.

Hit the jump for more.

Way Too Early 2023 Depth Chart: October 2022

The following depth chart has removed these listed players from the 2022 depth chart due to expiring eligibility, even though some could return with a fifth year or COVID year exception:

• QB Alan Bowman (graduation)
• WR Ronnie Bell (graduation)
• WR Cornelius Johnson (graduation)
• TE Erick All (graduation)
• TE Joel Honigford (graduation)
• TE Luke Schoonmaker (graduation)
• OL Ryan Hayes (graduation)
• OL Olu Oluwatimi (graduation)
• DE Taylor Upshaw (graduation)
• DT Julius Welschof (graduation)
• LB Michael Barrett (graduation)
• CB Gemon Green (graduation)
• CB Mike Sainristil (graduation)
• S German Green (graduation)
• P Brad Robbins (graduation)

It also assumes that every currently rostered player and every currently committed prospect will be here in 2023, which is obviously not true.

Hit the jump for the depth chart.