justingoblue

October 22nd, 2012 at 2:08 PM ^

without an obscene risk of injuring it further, I can't imagine him not playing. Nebraska puts themselves into a great situation with a win this weekend, and is on the outside looking in with a loss. I'd expect every ounce of blood, sweat and tears out of them this weekend.

Moleskyn

October 22nd, 2012 at 2:08 PM ^

bulk·head

[buhlk-hed]

noun

1.
Nautical . any of various wall-like constructions inside a vessel, as for forming watertight compartments, subdividing space, or strengthening the structure.

FreddieMercuryHayes

October 22nd, 2012 at 2:12 PM ^

I'm guessing he'll play, but I wonder if it's best for the long term.  He's one tough SOB and I'm sure he can play through some pain, but he was questionable last week and then reaggrevated it like three plays in.  Maybe some time to let it heal would be best for him.  But at the same time, this is probably the most critical game of the year for them at this point, so it may be worth it to give a go.

corundum

October 22nd, 2012 at 2:18 PM ^

After seeing what we did to Bell on Saturday, a limited Burkhead won't muster too many yards against our front seven. I think this contest will be very similar to last years game against Nebraska. Michigan comes out +2 in the turnover margin and wins by at least 10.

ChicagoB1GRed

October 22nd, 2012 at 3:05 PM ^

but he's no "edge" specialist. He is more than capable up the middle as well, and really the main thing we lose with Burkhead out is senior leadership,versatility, and experience. Ameer came into the season expecting to get significant playing time, not just a backup role, so having him start shouldn't change our offense. Naturally we'd like to have both playing but that's football.

Does Michigan have any significant injuries?

AnthonyThomas

October 22nd, 2012 at 2:38 PM ^

Is Burkhead really that good? I've watched him a lot and he seems to be praised for occupying a stereotype, not for being a good running back. i.e. tough, white guy farmboy with a name like "Rex" who plays for Nebraska = drooling Brent Musbergers and Lee Corsos.

markusr2007

October 22nd, 2012 at 2:41 PM ^

he will not be 100%.  He had 4 carries vs. Northwestern and got shaken up on one play and sat the rest of the game.

Burkhead is a great athlete and a huge plus, but Nebraska is kind of doing just fine running the ball with TB Abdullah in there right now.

 

LSAClassOf2000

October 22nd, 2012 at 2:43 PM ^

Rex Burkhead is one of five players with over 200 yards rushing on the year, and they have been rotating in Imani Cross and Braylon Heard rather effectively to help out Abdullah, just looking at box scores.

With Michigan and Nebraska perhaps the only remaining realistic contenders for the Legends Division, however, I would have to imagine that Pelini would at least try to get Rex Burkhead as ready as possible, but if it is as aggravated as it sounds, it doesn't seem like he would see the whole game.

That being said, he is on the depth chart as one of the starting I-Backs - Rex Burkhead or Ameer Abdullah (granted, these are just published, and the week is young yet), it reads. If he can't go, Nebraska is not short on options here, looking at their offensive stats.

mGrowOld

October 22nd, 2012 at 2:43 PM ^

If you think about every in division conference games counts as two in the standings because of the tie-breaker making them extremely crucial to win.  And as we learned the hard way last year in East Lansing, one bad game can eliminate your chances for the B1G Championship game if it's against the wrong team.

My guess is he'll try and play if he's close to 100% and can cut laterally.  Just like Denard, Kovacs, Ryan, etc. would do for us if the table was turned.  IMO the game won't be won or lost there though......tell me which Denard we get: VT, Alabama, ND or MSU version or the 2011 Nebraska/OSU or Illinois/Purdue 2012 version.

Johnny Blood

October 22nd, 2012 at 3:41 PM ^

Unfortunately for us, all of your bad examples are road games (I'm assuming you're referring to MSU '11, he was overall pretty good against a very tough defense yesterday) and all but one of your good examples are home games -- and this is a road game.

I'm hoping this is where he breaks that trend though - he's built up a ton of positive momentum coming into this one.

mGrowOld

October 22nd, 2012 at 3:57 PM ^

He was pretty good in the second half of the Northwestern game as well as Illinois last year and Purdue he was fantastic running the ball and didnt hurt us throwing it.  I'll take that against Nebraska.

Look at our losses over the past two years and the one constant has been Denard not playing his best.  We simply dont have enough weapons outside of him to overcome a bad game from DR against a good team.

But I have a feeling he's going to bring it this Saturday!  He's due.

flysociety3

October 22nd, 2012 at 2:44 PM ^

I don't ever want to see players injured, but I also won't be too torn up if he doesn't play....

This is a huge game regardless, and we're going to need to bring it.

ChiBlueBoy

October 22nd, 2012 at 2:46 PM ^

Burkhead's backup has played very well this year (+6 ypc). Given the system and blocking, I don't think it matters that much. Ultimately, the question will be line play. If we can play like we did against MSU, we can stop either RB in the backfield before he gets a head of steam toward the LOS. If Neb is opening holes for the backs, then either of them will pick up yards.

mgobleu

October 22nd, 2012 at 3:48 PM ^

If I were a husker fan, I know I'd want him to play, but I'm wondering, especially being a knee, that if an injured Burkhead is really worth playing when the backup has been as effective as he has. Either way, I think Michigan has the edge on both sides of the ball with the only wildcards being whether good martinez or bad martinez shows up, and maybe the crowd in Lincoln. Still I like our chances.

turtleboy

October 22nd, 2012 at 3:58 PM ^

Not too worried who's running the ball. They manage to cough up fumbles several times a game. Our linebackers and defensive backs did great against ND, even better against State. Nebraska shouldn't have much success on the ground.

boshisama

October 22nd, 2012 at 9:42 PM ^

It really doesn't matter if Burkhead plays or not.  It doesn't matter how good his back-ups are. All that matters is that Michigan will win.

Mattison will work his magic.  Our front seven will do their job and contain Nebraska's running game.  Jake Ryan and the rest of the linebacking core will put enough pressure on Martinez that he will throw like he did last year.  Our secondary will hold.

Borges will move Denard back into the gun, where he is more comfortable and can get the ball elevated over the linemen.  He will throw sparingly, yet accurately.  Denard, Toussaint, Rawls, Smith, and whomever carries the rock for the Wolverines will chip away and eventually gash the Cornhuskers questionable defense.

Notre Dame did us a favor.  Their fans were fired up, their band mic'd up, their whistles whistling and their RAWK was LOUD.  And all of this in an away game under the lights.  The Team and it's coaches have experienced all this and will make the necessary mental and procedural preperations to deal with another hostile enviroment.

Defense, a focus on running, ball control, and physical and mental toughness.  I think we all know that Bo is smiling down on Team 133 from Football Valhalla.

 

Wolverines 35 - Bugearters 17