Reggie Dunlop

September 4th, 2019 at 3:05 PM ^

You would think. Or at least good enough for an occasional down or two so Mason doesn't have to play 50 straight snaps. (This is the official end of my Mason whining. Go get 'em, Bench.)

Good news is, if we combat Army the same way we did Air Force a couple years ago, we'll only use 3 down linemen which would reduce our DT need. Either way, great news to have those guys on the healthy end of the spectrum.

DonAZ

September 4th, 2019 at 3:14 PM ^

I wonder if it's a case where the coaches are trying to shoe-horn Smith and Hinton in under the 4-game redshirt rule, and they didn't think they needed them against MTSU?  So throw Mason out there to be a body and see how he does, and hold Smith and Hinton for Wisconsin and beyond if needed.  Just a thought.

Edit: User "1VaBlue1" (below) indicates that Hinton did in fact get into the MTSU game in the last series.  So Hinton's counter is now down to three more games if a redshirt is the goal.

ldevon1

September 4th, 2019 at 3:49 PM ^

If that is the reasoning, why not play them and see what you have or what they can provide, against lesser opponents, as opposed to the tougher games on your schedule? If they can compete against MTSU, you might be able to build their confidence and thus help with depth. You don't want to give them their first real experience, on the road against the best running team you will face all year. 

BlueBuffalo

September 4th, 2019 at 5:17 PM ^

I wonder if Ben Mason just isn't ready enough at DT to be in the game during Big Ten play, but he's an ultimate team guy so Harbaugh wants to get him on the field while he can. MTSU was a good opportunity to get Mason playing time during a season in which he might live up to his nickname...

reshp1

September 4th, 2019 at 2:51 PM ^

I doubt we'll see much of Dwumfour if at all and I'd prefer that. I'd rather him get healthy fully instead of reinjuring his had again (and being a liability tackling). Army's offense also isn't really in his wheelhouse in terms of his strengths and play style anyway. 

reshp1

September 4th, 2019 at 4:29 PM ^

Michigan played almost exclusively in a 3 DL front against Air Force, so you really only need a couple of guys. Jeter and Kemp should both be more than adequate in that role. They held Dwumfour off the field except on obvious passing downs a lot last year, so I don't know how much you can say he can hold up.

Double-D

September 4th, 2019 at 6:36 PM ^

Hutch should have a big game.  He is built for this. Ross and Glasgow as well.  Vince Gray sure seems enjoy putting the shoulder down! 

I am surprised abut Mazi and Hinton last week.  Mazi seems especially built for this game plan.  I can’t imagine Harbaugh holding them back for shirts if they are ready.  There’s no guarantee they stay that long. 

Get Dwumfour healthy.  We have long hard road. 

1VaBlue1

September 4th, 2019 at 3:09 PM ^

Hinton got into the last series against MTSU.  I seriously hope they didn’t utterly waste one of the four games he gets as a redshirt.  Unless he’s not going to redshirt, it was a complete waste to put him in on those last few plays of a blowout that would represent gross roster mismanagement.    

reshp1

September 4th, 2019 at 3:23 PM ^

He'll either be good enough where the 4 games thing won't matter because he'll play a lot, or a few snaps at the end of a game is exactly how you'd use those 4 games to get a guy you don't quite trust some PT. Also, I'm pretty sure he played special teams as well.

Reggie Dunlop

September 4th, 2019 at 4:11 PM ^

I agree. He even looked the part on the few snaps he got.

I've never been worried about redshirts. Especially given our DT situation. According to my math, Dwumfour and Kemp are gone after this. That leaves.... Jeter, Mason and the freshmen for 2020? And that's it?

If it's nothing but mop up duty all year, Hinton/Smith and anybody else has to get up to speed ASAP. We can recruit for 2023. We've got nothing for this year and next year but the guys in that room. Get 'em in the game.