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    • Expect to see more young players in the last 2 games
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    Expect to see more young players in the last 2 games

    Pabio Posted on

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    For the first time in four years, Michigan football will not participate in the College Football Playoff.

    Those dreams were dashed in October when UM’s recent 1-4 slump began, but that doesn’t mean the Wolverines aren’t eyeing the postseason again. Michigan (5-5, 3-4 Big Ten) is one win away from clinching a bowl berth, adding another month of practice to the program, which head coach Sherrone Moore considers a crucial step towards obtaining the program. I went back in the right direction.

    Of course, that’s not all that’s left to play for in these final two weeks of the 2024 regular season.

    “Those two games mean a lot,” Moore told team color commentator Jon Jansen on a recent episode of the in-house podcast “Inside The Trenches.” “Northwestern, trophy game, we’re 2-0 in trophy games and allows us to be bowl eligible, which is a huge thing.

    “So obviously the last one (Ohio State), you don’t need a lot of motivation for that one.”

    For the past three years, UM had clinched its playoff berth by the second week of October, frequently winning games in lopsided fashion to create the opportunity for reserves in the fourth quarter of games to gain valuable reps match. This year, UM found itself in a number of close contests: three of its five victories came by one possession, forcing the coaches to fight for every inch, every step of the way.

    As a result, fewer underclassmen saw the field for meaningful snaps, which only adds to the importance of getting additional competition.

    “It’s great for the whole team to get some extra practice, but especially for our kids who were trying to develop to make sure they’re ready for next year,” Moore said. “So that’s huge for us, it then allows some incoming freshmen who are they’re going to enroll early – we’ve done that in the past – where they can come and practice with the team.

    Among the pieces that made it last season and have already played this year and burned their red shirts: DB Jo’Ziah Edmond, TE Hogan Hansen and LB Cole Sullivan. There would be more, like maybe tight end Brady Prieskorn, but Moore admitted it’s hard to have more pieces on the field, even if it seems like they deserve it, when they are buried behind the posts.

    Take Colston Loveland, for example; a projected first-round selection next season and a possible All-American tight end. He dismissed any concerns it would close for the rest of the season, a decision welcomed by his boss.

    “When you have a guy like Colston, you have to let him ride,” Moore said. “Especially the last two games which are must-wins. There’s a balance, you want to play against these (young) guys, but you have to let the big dog roll.

    A youth movement in the background?

    With Kalel Mullings and Donovan Edwards each rushing more than 110 times this season and no one else in the room having a dozen carries, don’t be surprised if there are some new faces in the field back this week.

    One game after Ben Hall crashed the backfield party and became the third running back in the mix during a 20-15 loss to Indiana, Moore said there were good chances of other talented young running backs also participating in the game.

    “The guy who really, really took the best step (during the bye week) and will be a little more integrated into the game plan is Micah Ka’apana,” Moore said of the freshman of Las Vegas (Bishop Gorman). . “Very sneaky, very good contact balance; he’s small but not small.

    “The guy plays with power, plays hard but he’s super fast. I think he had a game in high school where he had five carries and five touchdowns, so the guy is really dynamic. …excited to see what he does with the ball.

    Ka’apana was one of Seven Wolverines running backs will travel to Bloomington last week; It’s almost unheard of in college to travel with so many players at a non-premium position, but as Hall said Tuesday, “it just shows there are guys all around the room that can play. “

    RECRUITING NEWS: Michigan football topples Belleville 4-star DB Eljiah Dotson, No. 2 player in state

    Another one of those pieces, Jordan Marshall, is also waiting his turn. The true freshman appeared on special teams as a kick returner, he totaled 100 yards on kickoffs against Oregon, but was unable to break down the field in as a ball carrier.

    “I think he’ll get some (snaps),” Moore said of Marshall, “It’s so tough with one ball, (he’s one of) four good players and then Micah Ka’apana ( actually five).”

    Injury Updates

    It was the same refrain about cornerback Will Johnson, who is reportedly still “working on it” as he remains questionable for Saturday against Northwestern.

    Moore hinted last month that Johnson, who has missed four straight games and five total this season, would absolutely return to the field at some point, but given that there are only two games left, it seems questionable.

    Additionally, it appears right tackle Andrew Gentry (out for the season with a lower-body injury) has decided he will return for a fifth season and get back to work in the spring, according to Moore . As for what the line will look like this week, it will be the usual starters from left to right: Myles Hinton, Josh Priebe, Greg Crippen, Gio El-Hadi and Evan Link, but arrangements have been made in case something goes wrong. emergency in case of broken glass.

    Priebe has been practicing at tackle, freshman Andrew Sprague is also an option, while Dom Giudice provides depth on the interior of the line.

    Next stop: wild cats

    Match : Michigan (5-5, 3-4 Big Ten) vs. Northwestern (4-6, 2-5).

    To start up: 3:30 p.m. Saturday; Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor.

    Television/radio: FS1; WXYT-FM (97.1).

    Double: Wolverines by 10½.

    Pabio
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