Michigan Football News and Views: Jim Harbaugh On Ohio State
Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh talked about the upcoming game with OSU Monday. Here are our thoughts on his comments:
NEWS: Michigan’s quarterback situation is up in the air for Saturday’s game with Ohio State (Noon, FOX). Redshirt freshman quarterback Brandon Peters is in concussion protocol, head coach Jim Harbaugh said Monday, but hasn't been ruled out for Saturday’s game with Ohio State.
Peters left a 24-10 loss at Wisconsin late in the third quarter after suffering a head injury when he was thrown to the ground by a Wisconsin defender. Redshirt junior Wilton Speight, meanwhile, practiced last week, but was not cleared for contact. The doctors will evaluate him again this week to see if he can handle contact, Harbaugh added. If neither can go, fifth-year senior John O’Korn would get the nod.
HARBAUGH: “[Peters] will be coming in [to the team facility] shortly. He was seen yesterday, and we’ll see where he is today.
“There are stages … as soon as he’s symptom free, if that happens today then he has to go to a day where he has exertion. That’s cardio and then lifting to be able to work up a sweat, exert yourself and then you see are the symptoms there the next day?
“Once that occurs and you come back the next day with no symptoms, you get allowed to practice without contact. That can happen as early as Wednesday; could happen as early as Thursday. Each case is different, and we totally go by the doctors and the tests.”
VIEWS: Sophomore running back Chris Evans had a concussion last year and played the next week, Harbaugh noted. Sophomore cornerback Lavert Hill suffered one two weeks ago and missed the game at Wisconsin — but he’s since been cleared and will play Saturday.
“It’s a matter of what the level is, what the doctors, neurologists say … it’s in their hands,” Harbaugh explained.
Head injuries are nothing to mess with. Period. That’s why there are concussion protocols. But this is also the week guys are waiting for all year. Injuries seem to heal more quickly, guys play with a little extra effort … it wouldn’t surprise at all to see Peters out there Saturday.
It would be a bit more surprising to see Speight, given he’s been out seven weeks and is dealing with broken vertebrae in his back. If it’s O’Korn, most feel the Wolverines would be a long shot to win. There’s not enough evidence to suggest he can lead a win in this game.
“John has remained diligent every single week in preparation and the game plan, always sitting on a spring ready to play,” Harbaugh said.
Stranger things have happened, of course, and O’Korn’s had a great attitude all year. But … that’s a lot to ask, especially behind a line that’s been sketchy all year.
Peters, though, gives them the best chance to win.
“I thought Brandon played very well [against Wisconsin]. It’s not his first time of standing in there and making a courage play,” Harbaugh said. “He’s done that in every single game he’s played in, where he’s made that kind of throw. … He stands in the pocket, sees an oncoming rusher and makes that throw — it's a courage throw. He’s got that.
“There’s some football to it. We hope to have him back quick.”
NEWS: The Wolverines struggled again in pass protection at Wisconsin and will need to protect better up front no matter who is at quarterback, Harbaugh acknowledged.
HARBAUGH: “We definitely got beat on some pick stunts. Some we picked up; some we didn’t. We’ll address that, work on it and get better at it.”
VIEWS: If they haven’t picked it up by now, well … they are what they are.
The good news is that freshman Cesar Ruiz has played well at right guard, so that’s not as big a concern as it might have been when sophomore Mike Onwenu went down a few weeks ago.
“He’s playing very well,” Harbaugh said of the rookie. “Doing a very good job and playing at a starter level. Mike Onwenu was, too, and we’ll see where Mike is this week.
“When a guy is coming back off an injury, it’s one thing to be cleared from the doctors. What percentage do they come back at — 100, 90, 80? Are they better than the guy who replaced them? In this case, Mike has got to be back to full strength, because Cesar is playing really well. “
The blockers up front need to have their best game Saturday if Michigan is going to win.
NEWS: Fifth-year senior linebacker and team captain Mike McCray gets his last shot to beat the Buckeyes, the program his dad played for.
HARBAUGH: “Mike has been a really good captain. He’s been a true leader, both on the field and off the field. He’s been a stud. Not a lot of seniors are out there playing. He’s been a great example for our entire team. He shows up every practice, every ball game. He’s tough. He’s been an outstanding leader for our football team.”
VIEWS: He’s also gotten a bad rap at times this year. He’s tied for third on the team in tackles (64), has 10 TFLs, five sacks, five quarterback hurries and a forced fumble, and is huge part of one of the nation’s top defenses.
He’s been a class act and deserves to go out a winner.
NEWS: Michigan is an 11-point underdog at home Saturday, and Ohio State still has an outside shot at the College Football Playoff.
HARBAUGH: “They are a really talented team, very well coached, really good players. They’re right now going through the schemes, the matchups in preparation for the ball game on Saturday. Really strong, physical football team, fast team, really good at the skill positions. They tackle well … play really good up front. They rotate the defensive line … they think very highly of them, and you can see why.
“I can’t say enough good things. Really good team.”
VIEWS: But not infallible. Oklahoma and Iowa both thrashed the Buckeyes, and U-M’s defense is capable of slowing this offense. It’s going to come down to putting points on the board, which has obviously been a struggle this year against good teams.
It’s well past time, though, that the Wolverines played their best game against the Buckeyes, the way the rivals always seem to against them. They need to reach that pitch Saturday, and though many think it’s a long shot, they certainly can win this game if they play well.
It will take their best game of the year.
“We’ve been progressing,” Harbaugh said. “I really like our team, like the way they work, compete, love the effort they give. I really like seeing the progress that’s being made.
“I feel like our team’s improved each week and has already shown they can play to the level of anybody in the country.”
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