Jared Crick out for the year
Nebraska just announced that DT Jared Crick is done for this year after suffering a torn pectoral muscle. That's a huge blow to an already struggling Nebraska defense.
Also didn't see mentioned in the boards, Ohio State is not getting Nathan Williams back this season on defense as he needs surgery on his knee.
Tough break for both programs.
[ed-M: link from duplicate post: https://twitter.com/#!/mikerothstein]
October 12th, 2011 at 3:27 PM ^
Unfortunate. Nebraska is not nearly as good as I thought they would be
October 12th, 2011 at 3:38 PM ^
Do you realize that if we win on Saturday that there exists a very real possibility for Michigan. In a coaching change year after the massive debacle we just went through, to go undefeated on the regular season? This is amazing.
EDIT; The injury is not amazing, what is amazing is that Nebraska will now have little to no pressure on Denard when we play them without blitzing. Never root for injury, they hurt.
October 12th, 2011 at 3:39 PM ^
Too soon, don't start that talk at mid way, way too much football to be played still, one game at a time, one at a time.
October 12th, 2011 at 3:45 PM ^
I don't think it's too soon to start wondering if at MSU and at Illinois aren't our toughest remaining games, and that is a phenomenal turn of events. I do agree with you though, this team isn't good enough to start that kind of talk. Every game is going to be a challenge (well, maybe not Purdue) and things could still go wrong down the stretch.
October 12th, 2011 at 6:35 PM ^
Yeah this plane is going down if the fans start looking ahead. We need to put our full energy into MSU preperation.
October 12th, 2011 at 3:40 PM ^
Let's not talk about this anymore.
October 12th, 2011 at 4:44 PM ^
Take off the Van Halen tee shirt before you jinx the band and they break up.
October 12th, 2011 at 3:44 PM ^
Please stop! lol This same kind of talk occurred during Verlander's 2nd no hitter bid, and he gave up a hit minutes later. We must stay focused.
October 12th, 2011 at 3:52 PM ^
If we, as fans, talk about something, surely the players on the field will quickly get wind of it and their performance level shall soon be affected! We musn't do this!!!!!
October 12th, 2011 at 4:01 PM ^
Quit tempting AM_HG
October 12th, 2011 at 4:25 PM ^
When I said unfortuanate I meant for Nebraska fans. Yes it hurts Nebraska and yes it give us a better shot to win our division. All im saying is that is unfortunate for Nebraska and unfortunate he got hurt
October 12th, 2011 at 6:02 PM ^
BKFinest, is that you?
October 13th, 2011 at 9:33 PM ^
...and we've still got 'em on the hook.
October 12th, 2011 at 3:27 PM ^
Not rooting for injuries, but those two developments certainly increase umichs odds of closing out the season with two big home W's
October 12th, 2011 at 3:28 PM ^
Too bad for him, hope that doesn't hurt his draft stock too much. Not only that, but this makes the game this weekend even that much bigger with the winner being completely in the drivers seat for the division.
October 12th, 2011 at 3:30 PM ^
Big, big loss for Nebraska.
Ohio was already a tire fire, so it's hard to know what kind of impact another lost player will have. It obviously won't help, but the goddamn plane already hit the mountain, so...
October 12th, 2011 at 3:33 PM ^
Spielman thinks the Williams injury could work out well for the buckeyes. He was going to be a borderline draft pick already and this will probably mean a redshirt and return for next year. I don't like seeing injuries to anybody, but any advantage we can get is appreciated. We really need Johnny Lawrence to sweep Tacopants's leg and the season is ours.
October 12th, 2011 at 3:42 PM ^
I was talking to my roommate who is an Ohio fan yesterday and I said the same thing. If Williams comes back next year, the defensive line will be silly good with him and Simon.
October 12th, 2011 at 3:46 PM ^
They will be silly good talented but still need competent coaching, not Judge Alex.
October 12th, 2011 at 4:06 PM ^
This is much better than the guy who looked like DG
October 12th, 2011 at 3:35 PM ^
I hope both can heal up as soon as possible. I hate to see the injuries, I really do. If Michigan can do what it needs to this weekend, then we will see what impact these losses have on those teams. Nebraska plays Minny next, they will win regardless of Crick's status.
October 12th, 2011 at 3:41 PM ^
After Michigan beats State on Saturday I can start looking for B1G championship game tickets.
October 12th, 2011 at 3:54 PM ^
Too much getting ahead of ourselves in this thread...think it, but don't speak it. People are overlooking Illinois.
October 12th, 2011 at 3:58 PM ^
Against common opponents (WMU & NW), Illinois is +6. Michigan is +39.
It isn't a foregone conclusion by any means (we could, theoretically, lose any remaining game except Purdue)... but State is the biggest hurdle.
October 12th, 2011 at 4:07 PM ^
State is the biggest hurdle until Illinois, which is the biggest hurdle until Nebraska. I'm remaining so cautiously optimistic that when I get compliments from Ohio fans I deflect them....the compliments, not the Ohio fans.
October 12th, 2011 at 4:17 PM ^
No reason you can't deflect both.
October 12th, 2011 at 4:24 PM ^
That gives msu one big ten loss with Wisconsin still in front of them. Nebraska still has to play Michigan and State. So I'm pretty sure that puts both of those teams with dropping atleast two big ten games with Michigan atleast holding the tiebreaker over Michigan State. If they lose to Nebraska Michigan would have to lose two games between Purdue, Illinois, Iowa, and Ohio State not to win the division. If Michigan beats Nebraska they would have to lose three.
I'm not saying Michigan would have the division won, but they will definitely be close enough to start looking for tickets.
October 12th, 2011 at 7:02 PM ^
I already got mine! Woohoo!
October 12th, 2011 at 8:22 PM ^
Wisconsin fan?
October 12th, 2011 at 4:43 PM ^
Zook has them lying in the bushes,waiting to attack. I just hope they drop that knack of shooting themselves in the foot when it comes down to crunch time. This weekend game with tUOS should be interesting...quite interesting infact.
Mgousers might want to keep one eye open on the fighting zookers.
October 12th, 2011 at 4:21 PM ^
Definitely a tough loss for them. Still, in terms for Michigan, it seems like the stars are really aligning for us to have a great season. I am not a sick person that gets excited at the misfortune of other individuals on other teams, I really feel bad for the kid. But...well...you know what I'm saying,
October 12th, 2011 at 4:29 PM ^
Let's not overlook Iowa either. Kinnick Stadium is always a tough place to come out of with a W.
October 12th, 2011 at 4:48 PM ^
was a heartbreaker(one of MANY from R2 era) for sure.
October 12th, 2011 at 4:46 PM ^
wasn't running full tilt with his play anyway. Nonetheless,a big blow for the huskers.
October 12th, 2011 at 4:52 PM ^
Very, very beatable.
October 12th, 2011 at 5:21 PM ^
That's a shame. I like Nebraska and want to see them do well in the B1G (except against us).
He's a great player; I hope he has a speedy recovery.
October 12th, 2011 at 5:57 PM ^
Personally, I've always hated Nebraska (I didn't want them in the B1G) and I hope that they end up being as mediocre in the B1G as Penn State has been.
Still, sucks for Crick; he probably would have been better off going pro last season.
October 12th, 2011 at 7:58 PM ^
I hate you, Nebraska.
October 12th, 2011 at 6:30 PM ^
Lol we still have five games against teams who could realistically beat us. Our chances are good but that's all there is at this point.
October 12th, 2011 at 9:26 PM ^
Since when was it ok to start talking up the no-hitter before the 7th inning...even then, the 800lb elephant in the room should be ignored AT ALL COSTS...just sayin! Or no, I'm not saying...I have no idea what I'm talking about. I didnt say a thing.
October 12th, 2011 at 11:20 PM ^