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The Game Preview: Final Thoughts

ROSTER NOTES

• Ohio State players recruited by Michigan include: OL Joshua Alabi, WR Kamryn Babb, LB Dante Booker, LB Baron Browning, DE Jashon Cornell, OL Wyatt Davis, TE Luke Farrell, DE Tyler Friday, S Jordan Fuller, LB Dallas Gant, RB Jaelen Gill, WR Jaylen Harris, QB Dwayne Haskins, TE Jake Hausmann, LB Justin Hilliard, CB Tyreke Johnson, DT Dre’Mont Jones, LB Keandre Jones, OL Matt Jones, OL Michael Jordan, OL Demetrius Knox, WR Austin Mack, QB Tate Martell, RB Demario McCall, LB Teradja Mitchell, CB Jeffrey Okuda, WR Chris Olave, OL Nick Petit-Frere, OL Isaiah Prince, S Josh Proctor, S Isaiah Pryor, S Amir Riep, TE Jeremy Ruckert, CB Kendall Sheffield, WR L’Christian Smith, RB Brian Snead, DT Tommy Togiai, WR Binjimen Victor, DT Taron Vincent, CB Shaun Wade, RB Mike Weber, LB Pete Werner, CB Marcus Williamson, OL Max Wray
• Ohio State players from the State of Michigan include: Detroit Cass Tech OL Joshua Alabi, Plymouth OL Michael Jordan, Troy Athens LS Bradley Robinson, Detroit Cass Tech RB Mike Weber
• Michigan players from the State of Ohio include: FB Matt Brown, LS Cameron Cheeseman, LB Noah Furbush, P Will Hart, S Tyree Kinnel, WR Jake McCurry, S Ryan McCurry, P Brad Robbins, OL Greg Robinson, LB Adam Shibley, OL Nolan Ulizio
• Michigan offensive line coach Ed Warinner is a former Ohio State offensive line coach and offensive coordinator

LAST TIME THEY PLAYED . . . 

• On November 25, 2017, Ohio State beat Michigan, 31-20
• Ohio State QB Dwayne Haskins was 6/7 for 94 yards after starter J.T. Barrett was injured
• Michigan QB John O’Korn was 17/32 for 195 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception
• Michigan WR Kekoa Crawford led the Wolverines with 2 catches for 57 yards
• Michigan RBs Karan Higdon and Chris Evans combined for 22 carries, 122 yards, and 1 touchdown

PREDICTION

• Michigan 38, Ohio State 34

The Game Preview: Michigan Pass Defense vs. Ohio State Pass Offense

Dwayne Haskins (image via SB Nation)

Previously: M Rush Offense vs. OSU Rush Defense, M Pass Offense vs. OSU Pass Defense, M Rush Defense vs. OSU Rush Offense

MICHIGAN

Michigan is the #1 passing defense in the country (123 yards allowed/game) by a wide margin (#2 is Miami at 142 yards allowed/game). The Wolverines are #1 in opponent completing percentage (47.1), #1 in yards per attempt (4.9), and #1 in passer rating defense. Only one time this season has Michigan allowed more than one touchdown pass in a game, and that was an anomaly against SMU in the non-conference season.

It starts up front for Michigan, where the Wolverines have several effective pass rushers. One of the best pass rushers is hurt, though, in the form of Chase Winovich (4 sacks); it’s unclear if he will play this weekend or not. The leading sacker is pass rush specialist Josh Uche (8 sacks), and linebacker Devin Bush, Jr. has 5. If Winovich doesn’t play, Michigan will need a big day from Rashan Gary, who has 3.5 sacks but has been underwhelming at times. Michigan is #3 in overall Sack Rate, including #1 overall on passing downs.

The secondary has improved since last year, and starting cornerbacks David Long and Lavert Hill have been two of the toughest guys to throw against in the whole country. Long was beaten for a TD for the first time against Indiana, and Hill has been called for several pass interference penalties. Third corner Brandon Watson has been very good but got burned last week by Indiana when he missed a jam at the line of scrimmage, but that’s nitpicking. Overall, it’s been a very good group. The safeties have improved their coverage on wheel routes and slot fades, but they will be tested against the Buckeyes.

Hit the jump for the rest.

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Tyrece Woods, Ex-Wolverine

Tyrece Woods

Belleville (MI) Belleville defensive end/defensive tackle Tyrece Woods decommitted from Michigan on Thanksgiving. Woods had committed to Michigan in the middle of August (LINK

).

Air Force, Cincinnati, Fresno State, Temple, and a bunch of MAC programs had offered Woods prior to his committing to Michigan, and I would assume some other programs would try to jump on board to try to grab a former Michigan commitment. 247’s Clint Brewster had put in a crystal ball for Cincinnati just a few days before he picked the Wolverines, so maybe there’s some lingering mutual interest between Woods and the Bearcats.

On Michigan’s end of things, there are several other defensive line recruits already committed: DE Chris Hinton, DT Mazi Smith, DE David Ojabo, DE Mike Morris, and DE Gabe Newburg. Rumors are growing stronger that Ohio DE Zach Harrison is going to pick Michigan, while Indiana DE George Karlaftis could flip from Purdue if Boilermakers head coach Jeff Brohm leaves for Louisville (or anywhere else). Woods was Michigan’s lowest rated commit by far at #1685; the next lowest is LB Joey Velazquez at #984. The Wolverines now have 25 commits in the 2019 class.

Recruiting Update: Thanksgiving Style

Indianapolis (IN) Ben Davis OT Dawand Jones (image via IndyStar

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)

COMMITMENTS

Jalen Perry – CB – Dacula (GA) Dacula: Perry committed to Michigan.

Amauri Pesek-Hickson – LB – Leawood (KS) Blue Valley North: Pesek-Hickson committed to Michigan (LINK).

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2019

Tommy Eichenberg – LB – Cleveland (OH) St. Ignatius: Eichenberg decommitted from Boston College. He’s a 4-star, the #19 inside linebacker, and #359 overall. He has earned offers from Michigan and Ohio State since he committed to B.C., so now it seems to be a battle between the Buckeyes and Wolverines. The crystal ball is 81% in favor of Ohio State, and with the recent commitment of Pesek-Hickson, I don’t believe this is going to go in Michigan’s favor. He also has an older brother at Notre Dame, but the Fighting Irish have not offered.

Dawand Jones – OT – Indianapolis (IN) Ben Davis: Jones is a 6’8″, 360 lb. prospect with offers from Florida State, Indiana, Michigan, and USC, among others. He’s a 3-star, the #85 offensive tackle, and #986 overall. Jones took an unofficial visit to Michigan last weekend, which is when the offer from the Wolverines was extended.

Darius Robinson – TE – Canton (MI) Canton: Robinson is a 6’6″, 250-pounder with offers from Colorado, Maryland, and Syracuse, among others. He’s a 3-star, the #48 strongside end, and #662 overall. Michigan offered him as a tight end, which he did play in high school, but for a heavy run team. As of the time he was offered on Tuesday, his crystal ball was 100% in favor of the Syracuse Orange.

MISCELLANEY

Jaylen Ellis – WR – Round Rock (TX) Cedar Ridge: Ellis named Michigan to his top six, including Arizona, Baylor, Cal, Houston, Michigan, and Tennessee. He’s a 3-star, the #56 wide receiver, and #438 overall. His crystal ball is 100% on Texas, though.

Kyle Ford – WR – Orange (CA) Lutheran: Ford named a top five of Colorado, Michigan, Oregon, USC, and Washington. He’s a 5-star, the #5 wide receiver, and #29 overall, but he tore his ACL during his senior season. He plans to announce on January 5, 2019.

Harrison Bailey – QB – Marietta (GA) Marietta: Bailey is announcing his commitment at 8:45 a.m. on November 29. He’s a 4-star, the #3 pro-style QB, and #59 overall in the 2020 class. The crystal ball is 90% in favor of Michigan.