Small joy- we have TWO healthy QBs for the game

Submitted by UMQuadz05 on November 26th, 2021 at 10:23 AM

Think about it- not only is our QB1 in great shape but we have an exciting backup ready to go as well.  Not something we could often say for this game recently.  Will it matter?  Let’s find out!

The Homie J

November 26th, 2021 at 11:20 AM ^

That's actually putting it pretty mildly.  The worst part of The Game being the last week of the season is that we typically are injured all to hell.  Ohio State somehow never seems to be so dinged up (helps that their second string is usually just as talented as the first string).  But off the top of my head, here's the major injuries that have affected us over Harbaugh's tenure:

2015: No DT's.  Like, our top 2 or 3 DT's that year were banged up and that allowed Zeke Elliot and JT Barrett to just run all over us.  Then Jake Rudock left the game early to boot.

2016: Obviously Wilton Speight was damaged, which hindered us the most.  We also lost our starting LT Grant Newsome :-( who never played again, sadly.  Also, our 2nd best CB went down a few games in and also never played again I believe.

2017:  I mean, who wasn't injured for this one.  Our QB room just decimated.  Can't remember other spots but I know Tarik Black was out for the year off the top of my head.

2018:  First year our QB was fine tho Dylan McCaffrey was out, which affected the depth behind Shea.  But the big issue was both star DE's were hobbled and Devin Bush would exit the game early as well. 

2019: Shea was seemingly fine, although I don't think he ever fully got over the oblique issue that season.  And once again, Dylan McCaffrey was available I think but recovering from a concussion which may have prevented him from being able to step in.  Also Josh Ross missed the season and Stueber was out as well.  Probably the healthiest we'd been up to that point though.

2020:  Lol

2021: Ronnie Bell obviously gone from the jump.  Gemon Green also done (afaik).  Couple guys are banged up but recovering (Erick All, Blake Corum, Roman Wilson, Brad Hawkins?, a few OL).  I'd say that other than 2019, yeah, this is probably the year we'll be the least affected by the guys who are out.  And easily the first year where a QB injury doesn't scare the ever loving shit out of me.

Joined: 01/11/2018

MGoPoints: 17408

crg

November 26th, 2021 at 10:32 AM ^

This is not trivial - there have been so many years where we have had key injuries that prevented us from winning (or at least being closely competitive).  I would have liked to have Bell and a 100% Green, but this is better than usual.

Joined: 04/30/2015

MGoPoints: 75054

Qmatic

November 26th, 2021 at 11:20 AM ^

Hopefully Hawkins is good to go. We are one athletic CB away from me feeling cautiously optimistic in the secondary going into this game. Dax at nickel should take away a good chunk of things. Moore is a real good athlete and so is Turner. Moten and Hawkins aren’t super athletic but at least in Hawkins case he is smart and an excellent tackler. Gray still worries me even though he has been good (albeit not tested a ton) this year. 

Ross and his lack of speed worries me too. Wonder if we see more Colson/Barrett or NHG and Colson/Barrett

Joined: 01/09/2013

MGoPoints: 32780

Rabbit21

November 26th, 2021 at 12:40 PM ^

And our game-changing Defensive Ends are also fully operational.  It is weird to come into this about as healthy as possible at the two positions that can most influence the game for Michigan.

Joined: 11/12/2009

MGoPoints: 30303