Which former player would you pick for The Game?
I just watched a Charles Woodson tribute video by Wolverine Historian and made me think about something: which former player I’d pick to play on Saturday? This is based on their last season at Michigan, not NFL performance (so not NFL MVP Brady)
Not surprisingly I’ll go with Woodson. Have him shadow Harrison, get touches on offense and return a kick for a TD.
What say you?
November 21st, 2022 at 7:49 PM ^
November 21st, 2022 at 8:06 PM ^
Definitely was thinking of Braylon as well. He might drop a pass you put in his breadbasket, but you give him a challenging throw and he's grabbing that sucker. Would have been a good fit for JJ this season.
November 21st, 2022 at 8:56 PM ^
You guys do remember that when Braylon had his chances at the Shoe in 2002 he ... dropped them.
November 22nd, 2022 at 1:16 PM ^
remember a couple in the Rose Bowl as well
November 21st, 2022 at 8:58 PM ^
You’re confused. Harbaugh teaches not to throw the 50-50 ball. Braylon would be the absolute worst pick of all time for a Harbaugh coached team. He would not play.
November 21st, 2022 at 11:34 PM ^
Just watched that 2000 M-OSU game in a different thread. As I watched I was like, hot damn David Terrell was good. So my pick at WR would be Terrell.
But yeah, Woodson is an obvious #1 pick and having skills like his against that WR crew of OSU would be welcomed with open arms.
November 21st, 2022 at 8:57 PM ^
But Woodson could go both ways.
Harrison scares the shit out of me.
November 21st, 2022 at 9:00 PM ^
Agreed. #2 and it's not close. (sorry, Blake you gotta change numbers in case we need Charles on O)
November 22nd, 2022 at 9:19 AM ^
Ordinarily, I would say Woodson, and not even close. BUT... given that our top 2 RBs may not even play, this year I would want Tyrone Wheatley running behind that O-line (backed up by Tim B. for obvious reasons).
November 21st, 2022 at 7:50 PM ^
Desmond
November 21st, 2022 at 7:53 PM ^
I thought about picking a WR too, but thought if Woodson got 6-8 touches a game on offense he would be a difference maker.
November 21st, 2022 at 7:52 PM ^
There is one obvious answer. Aidan Hutchinson and his +39.5 performance.
November 21st, 2022 at 7:53 PM ^
Yeah, especially considering our lack of organic pass rush. Hutchinson all day.
November 21st, 2022 at 8:56 PM ^
Frank Clark, if he could hit Stroud like he hit Braxton Miller
November 21st, 2022 at 8:59 PM ^
I’d rather not have Frank Clark back at Michigan. Hutchinson was way way better with zero off field issues.
November 21st, 2022 at 9:03 PM ^
Having a fantasy of Hutchinson with a Woodson-esque INT in the GAME. Hard to say no to Woodson, but Hutchinson was pretty crazy dominant.
November 21st, 2022 at 7:52 PM ^
The answer is always Woodson. So since that is too easy I would take Desmond due to the current struggles of catching the ball.
November 21st, 2022 at 7:52 PM ^
Cade McNamara
November 21st, 2022 at 7:54 PM ^
Thanks. I needed a laugh today.
November 21st, 2022 at 8:27 PM ^
Not sure he was being facetious. Cade hasn't lost to OSU.
November 21st, 2022 at 9:00 PM ^
Serious question:
Do you believe that we beat osu in 2013 with cade instead of Devin, broken foot and all?
November 22nd, 2022 at 11:06 AM ^
Absolutely not. I've always maintained that DG would've been amazing under Harbaugh (or Rich Rod tbh but yea). Man, what could've been if he was a few years younger.
November 21st, 2022 at 9:14 PM ^
Not only that, but Michigan is one hit away from Davis Warren taking his first meaningful snaps at Michigan in the Horseshoe. Maybe he’s going to have an amazing career, but I’d feel a lot better with Cade ready to go in if necessary.
That said, the serious answers are Anthony Carter, Desmond Howard, or John Kolesar.
The actual answer, of course, is Kirk Herbstreit. Replace CJ Stroud with Ol’ 0-3-1, and Michigan waltzes out with a victory.
November 21st, 2022 at 7:52 PM ^
I'm torn between Biakabutuka and any wide receiver that can get separation and catch.
November 21st, 2022 at 8:06 PM ^
Adding an RB would not tilt the scales much.
November 21st, 2022 at 8:28 PM ^
I mean, he was fun to watch.
Maybe we need to add "guaranteed 313 yards, most of it in the first 3 quarters like in 1995".
November 21st, 2022 at 8:59 PM ^
That depends right now.
November 21st, 2022 at 7:52 PM ^
Went out on a limb with the Hesiman Trophy winner that never lost to Ohio State and won a National Championship. 😂
November 21st, 2022 at 7:55 PM ^
Recency bias
November 21st, 2022 at 7:53 PM ^
A healthy Denard or Gardner would be fascinating in the run game. We might have a service academy stat line like 2 for 4 passing.
November 21st, 2022 at 8:36 PM ^
Ooooooh, Denard and Corum. YES
November 21st, 2022 at 7:53 PM ^
Brady. He'd tear apart any college D. 2nd choice would be Hutch, because it's a position of need. OSU could avoid Woodson and still have great options
November 22nd, 2022 at 10:42 AM ^
Yeah, it’s easy to say Woodson, he might be the best player we’ve ever had at any position. But do you go with someone who can erase one of their receivers, or Hutch, who can disrupt Stroud on every pass play??
November 21st, 2022 at 7:54 PM ^
If Blake is out, I'm torn between Touchdown Tim, Tom Harmon and Willy Heston.
If we've got Blake at 95-100%, I'd take Woodson, with a side of Braylon.
November 21st, 2022 at 7:55 PM ^
Aiden Hutchinson on this team would almost make it hard to envision anything other than a dominant win
November 22nd, 2022 at 6:14 AM ^
*Aidan
At least two other posts below you misspell it too so I feel the need to correct.
Also, obligatory Ruddock
November 21st, 2022 at 7:55 PM ^
Charles
Pro:
1)He takes Harrison out the game
2) becomes our top receiver
3) Intercepts strouds heisman
Con:
1) Woodson intercepts Blake’s heisman too
November 21st, 2022 at 9:01 PM ^
Don’t forget the punt return he would get for a TD.
Its gotta be Charles with Aiden a close 2nd.
November 21st, 2022 at 7:55 PM ^
First thought was, Charles Woodson because you can't go wrong with Charles Woodson
BUT
Since this game is in Columbus, Tom Harmon
From Wikipedia
In his final college football game, Harmon led the Wolverines to a 40–0 victory over Ohio State, scoring three rushing touchdowns, two passing touchdowns, and four extra points, and intercepting three passes, and punting three times for an average of 50 yards. In a display of sportsmanship and appreciation, the Ohio State fans in Columbus gave Harmon a standing ovation at game's end.[46] No other Wolverine player has been so honored, before or since.
November 21st, 2022 at 8:21 PM ^
I’m rather stunned to learn that OSU fans were classy, once. Even if exactly once.
November 21st, 2022 at 8:31 PM ^
And Ohio Stadium has maize and blue tiles in Michigan's honor.
They were normal once. Then Dr. Strangehayes came.
November 21st, 2022 at 8:34 PM ^
The 1940 game, to cap off his Heisman campaign.
I approve this message!!
November 21st, 2022 at 7:56 PM ^
Charles Woodson.
Playing both ways.
November 21st, 2022 at 7:57 PM ^
Joe Bauserman
November 21st, 2022 at 8:01 PM ^
It’s Woodson. No one else is close. Can shut down one side of the field and impact game both on offense and ST.
November 21st, 2022 at 8:03 PM ^
More pass rush and a physical linebacker presence we seem to have lacked for some time…Lamarr woodley
while I’m at it another guy who brought pain from that era - Alan branch
November 21st, 2022 at 8:10 PM ^
Those are some names I was hoping to see in the pass rush discussion for sure.