... because you were so patient. 
There’s no quarterback controversy at Michigan. Redshirt junior Wilton Speight, like head coach Jim Harbaugh said during the week, is the guy. That’s never carved in granite, though, as was demonstrated in the Florida game, and as alluded to in the main ITF.
In fact, we’re hearing practice snaps during Air Force week constituted a near 50-50 split between Speight and fifth-year senior backup John O’Korn. It’s usually more of a 60-30-10 split between the one, two and three players at that position.
Speight remains diligent in the film room, and has experienced plenty of teachable moments. He could enjoy a very big day against a less-than-top-notch Air Force secondary, and that could be precisely what Speight needs at this point.
He’s not the only one having to compete hard. Sophomore right guard Michael Onwenu is another getting pushed and having to pick it up Redshirt sophomore right tackle Nolan Ulizio has made some mistakes as a first-time starter, but delivers with greater consistency, and the feeling there is that it’s just a matter of gaining more experience. He’s not feeling the heat like the offensive lineman next to him.
This SHOULD be the week to see several other faces on the offensive line, if Michigan builds the type of lead it might. True freshman offensive lineman Cesar Ruiz will begin to see more and more time, as the season moves along.
It’s fifth-year senior Ty Isaac’s last shot at putting up a big year, and he’s performing like it. That’s not just the case on the field, where he’s racked up two straight 100-yard games. He’s also practicing like it’s game day, running with maturity and confidence, a fact not lost on those flipping the switches. Michigan will still play all three top backs against Air Force … and maybe more, if the right scenario arises.
Isaac’s ability to catch the football out of the backfield is also separating him. U-M hasn’t had to dip into that well yet, but once the Big Ten season begins, look for it.
The battles at tight end are ongoing. Two that have created some separation are redshirt sophomore Tyrone Wheatley and sophomore Sean McKeon. McKeon gets better each week and can become a go-to if he keeps progressing. Redshirt sophomore Zach Gentry showed off his speed and pass-catching ability against Cincinnati, and he’s clearly in the mix for more action there.
As for the wide receivers, junior Grant Perry has the slot spot on lockdown. Sophomore Kekoa Crawford enjoyed a good game against Cincinnati, snagging four receptions including a long touchdown catch, but he’s getting pushed by true freshman Donovan Peoples-Jones. As Peoples-Jones gains experience (and blocks better), he’ll certainly see the field more than he is presently as a wideout. Right now, Crawford is clearly the better blocker.
True freshman Tarik Black owns the other spot. He’s doing everything right, and takes nothing for granted, remaining a student of the game and always putting in extra effort.
Peoples-Jones obviously experienced some issues handling punts against Cincinnati. That doesn’t mean Perry is taking over for good, but needed improvements have to be made, or Perry and sophomore defensive back Nate Johnson remain very viable alternatives.
Michigan will certainly look to run the football well against Air Force and take its shots downfield. It would be surprising to see the Falcons over-commit in trying to put extra pressure on Speight, who should have time to throw.
Obviously, it’s an adjustment week on the defensive side of the football. It’s assignment football, and the linebackers and safeties can’t get caught in the wrong spots. If the linebackers cheat, Air Force will rely heavily on the fullback. If the safeties sneak up too close in trying to stop the run, the Falcons will look to go over the top. There is plenty of emphasis on not giving up the big play through over-committing.
Michigan’s defensive ends will certainly be trying to get upfield and disrupt the option. They and others will play the role of forcing the action back inside, to the teeth of the defense.
This is a game suited to the skills of a bigger outside linebacker, rather than a viper, so someone like redshirt junior ‘backer Noah Furbush comes into play. From what we hear, he enjoyed a very strong week of practice. Meanwhile, redshirt sophomore defensive end Rueben Jones has also been picking it up. The Wolverines will need all the help they can get at that spot this week.
A couple of other young defenders making huge strides, ones sure to increase their time on the field — freshman defensive back Ambry Thomas and redshirt freshman linebacker Devin Gil. Gil’s surprise start against Florida (due to fifth-year senior linebacker Mike McCray’s queasiness at game time) helped boost the confidence of yet another young Floridian in the Michigan lineup.
Also, it would not surprise to see true freshman linebacker Josh Ross make his debut at LB in the next couple of weeks.
There remains plenty of competition everywhere, and that’s true at the punter position. Redshirt freshman walk-on Will Hart struggled on a couple of punts against Cincinnati, but he’s been Michigan’s best practice player at the spot. The Air Force game might provide a situation where practice competition — mainly between Hart and true freshman Brad Robbins — turns into an on-field competition.
There’s no quarterback controversy at Michigan. Redshirt junior Wilton Speight, like head coach Jim Harbaugh said during the week, is the guy. That’s never carved in granite, though, as was demonstrated in the Florida game, and as alluded to in the main ITF.
In fact, we’re hearing practice snaps during Air Force week constituted a near 50-50 split between Speight and fifth-year senior backup John O’Korn. It’s usually more of a 60-30-10 split between the one, two and three players at that position.
Speight remains diligent in the film room, and has experienced plenty of teachable moments. He could enjoy a very big day against a less-than-top-notch Air Force secondary, and that could be precisely what Speight needs at this point.
He’s not the only one having to compete hard. Sophomore right guard Michael Onwenu is another getting pushed and having to pick it up Redshirt sophomore right tackle Nolan Ulizio has made some mistakes as a first-time starter, but delivers with greater consistency, and the feeling there is that it’s just a matter of gaining more experience. He’s not feeling the heat like the offensive lineman next to him.
This SHOULD be the week to see several other faces on the offensive line, if Michigan builds the type of lead it might. True freshman offensive lineman Cesar Ruiz will begin to see more and more time, as the season moves along.
It’s fifth-year senior Ty Isaac’s last shot at putting up a big year, and he’s performing like it. That’s not just the case on the field, where he’s racked up two straight 100-yard games. He’s also practicing like it’s game day, running with maturity and confidence, a fact not lost on those flipping the switches. Michigan will still play all three top backs against Air Force … and maybe more, if the right scenario arises.
Isaac’s ability to catch the football out of the backfield is also separating him. U-M hasn’t had to dip into that well yet, but once the Big Ten season begins, look for it.
The battles at tight end are ongoing. Two that have created some separation are redshirt sophomore Tyrone Wheatley and sophomore Sean McKeon. McKeon gets better each week and can become a go-to if he keeps progressing. Redshirt sophomore Zach Gentry showed off his speed and pass-catching ability against Cincinnati, and he’s clearly in the mix for more action there.
As for the wide receivers, junior Grant Perry has the slot spot on lockdown. Sophomore Kekoa Crawford enjoyed a good game against Cincinnati, snagging four receptions including a long touchdown catch, but he’s getting pushed by true freshman Donovan Peoples-Jones. As Peoples-Jones gains experience (and blocks better), he’ll certainly see the field more than he is presently as a wideout. Right now, Crawford is clearly the better blocker.
True freshman Tarik Black owns the other spot. He’s doing everything right, and takes nothing for granted, remaining a student of the game and always putting in extra effort.
Peoples-Jones obviously experienced some issues handling punts against Cincinnati. That doesn’t mean Perry is taking over for good, but needed improvements have to be made, or Perry and sophomore defensive back Nate Johnson remain very viable alternatives.
Michigan will certainly look to run the football well against Air Force and take its shots downfield. It would be surprising to see the Falcons over-commit in trying to put extra pressure on Speight, who should have time to throw.
Obviously, it’s an adjustment week on the defensive side of the football. It’s assignment football, and the linebackers and safeties can’t get caught in the wrong spots. If the linebackers cheat, Air Force will rely heavily on the fullback. If the safeties sneak up too close in trying to stop the run, the Falcons will look to go over the top. There is plenty of emphasis on not giving up the big play through over-committing.
Michigan’s defensive ends will certainly be trying to get upfield and disrupt the option. They and others will play the role of forcing the action back inside, to the teeth of the defense.
This is a game suited to the skills of a bigger outside linebacker, rather than a viper, so someone like redshirt junior ‘backer Noah Furbush comes into play. From what we hear, he enjoyed a very strong week of practice. Meanwhile, redshirt sophomore defensive end Rueben Jones has also been picking it up. The Wolverines will need all the help they can get at that spot this week.
A couple of other young defenders making huge strides, ones sure to increase their time on the field — freshman defensive back Ambry Thomas and redshirt freshman linebacker Devin Gil. Gil’s surprise start against Florida (due to fifth-year senior linebacker Mike McCray’s queasiness at game time) helped boost the confidence of yet another young Floridian in the Michigan lineup.
Also, it would not surprise to see true freshman linebacker Josh Ross make his debut at LB in the next couple of weeks.
There remains plenty of competition everywhere, and that’s true at the punter position. Redshirt freshman walk-on Will Hart struggled on a couple of punts against Cincinnati, but he’s been Michigan’s best practice player at the spot. The Air Force game might provide a situation where practice competition — mainly between Hart and true freshman Brad Robbins — turns into an on-field competition.
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