Will Johnson Status Update
November 28th, 2023 at 9:06 PM ^
Why play? Iowa doesn't have any WRs. We could play an all DL/LB defense and still give up only 10 points.
November 28th, 2023 at 9:09 PM ^
He’s a Football Player™️. Those guys don’t have the psyche to sit out because the opponent isn’t as good. Just not how they’re wired. I get what you’re saying, but we’re fortunate to have a team full of guys like that.
November 28th, 2023 at 9:09 PM ^
Because he's a competitor and wants to help his team win another championship. If he's not at risk of making something worse he will be out there.
November 28th, 2023 at 10:00 PM ^
Absolutely that's his mentality and honest belief but the coaches will keep him out.
November 28th, 2023 at 10:57 PM ^
He IS at risk of making something worse if he will be out there.
November 29th, 2023 at 3:48 AM ^
I mean, everyone is at risk of getting injured whenever they play football. But do you know for a fact that he's more at risk than he otherwise would be? Or are you just saying that?
November 29th, 2023 at 8:12 AM ^
That's for the staff to determine.
November 28th, 2023 at 9:09 PM ^
Kenneth Grant can take his place.
November 28th, 2023 at 9:11 PM ^
that is such a stup....wait. you're right. big man can fly.
November 28th, 2023 at 9:37 PM ^
He thinks about it every night and day. He spreads his wings and he flies away...
November 28th, 2023 at 9:43 PM ^
You just gave me a mental image of Kenneth Grant flying amongst the clouds, spreading his angel wings and smiling. It's beautiful!
November 28th, 2023 at 10:11 PM ^
RIP Louis Nix.
November 29th, 2023 at 8:59 AM ^
It's like trying to outrun a grizzly bear. They fast. I gotta believe the PSU running back looked back and went "oh shit"!
November 28th, 2023 at 10:50 PM ^
I would love to see an Iowa WR try to get off a Kenneth Grant jam at the LOS.
*Cackles with knowing glee*
November 28th, 2023 at 9:42 PM ^
It does seem fair to hold out Michigan's best CB to match Iowa's loss of its best CB. That's just good gamesmanship.
November 28th, 2023 at 10:19 PM ^
Pettitti will probably mandate it as part of the Sportsmanship Clause.
November 28th, 2023 at 10:58 PM ^
Just don't make us sit out punters.
November 29th, 2023 at 8:27 AM ^
Why? We won't have to punt, and their guy is their biggest weapon.
November 28th, 2023 at 10:25 PM ^
Because he wants to beat Iowa at its own game.
November 29th, 2023 at 1:53 AM ^
It's a championship game. You want your players excited for a championship, not the draft.
November 29th, 2023 at 8:30 AM ^
While I agree that you want your players excited for championship games, Will isn't draft eligible, and we've never seen players hold themselves out of meaningful games.
November 28th, 2023 at 9:07 PM ^
We really don’t need him, please let him stay home and watch Georgia film….
November 28th, 2023 at 9:09 PM ^
Heck no on staying home.
Every member of our team, walk on, GAs, everyone, needs to be on that podium with little Tony.
November 28th, 2023 at 9:21 PM ^
yeah! we want to show him our Johnsons!
November 28th, 2023 at 9:47 PM ^
Fun Fact: Johnson isn't the most common last name on this team.
November 28th, 2023 at 9:57 PM ^
Moore Johnson's it is then.
November 29th, 2023 at 5:45 AM ^
If they gave the helmets a final shine, if they wrapped an ankle, if they held the banner. Everyone needs to see Tiny Tony on that podium.
November 28th, 2023 at 9:07 PM ^
Not necessary.
Rest up, Will. Iowa's WRs are awful. A great opportunity for Amorion and DJ to get some reps.
November 28th, 2023 at 9:10 PM ^
I’d say if he’s not at 100% or close to it, just rest him. All due respect to Iowa, but this shouldn’t be a game you need him for.
Those final 1-2 games in January? Yeah you’re gonna need him.
November 28th, 2023 at 9:20 PM ^
We shouldn't need him, but it is a MUST win game. I don't like the idea of people considering this as a forgone conclusion.
If 2016 Iowa game has taught us anything, it's don't count chicken before they hatch.
November 28th, 2023 at 9:49 PM ^
It makes the chickens nervous
November 28th, 2023 at 10:17 PM ^
That's what I'm saying. Iowa is no less scary than Maryland. We didn't exactly dominate Maryland.
November 28th, 2023 at 10:21 PM ^
Iowa is less scary than Maryland. The only way Iowa can win this game is 13-10. Maryland could have won a game 50-49, although I was never actually nervous.
Michigan is a terrible, terrible matchup for Iowa. Iowa played exactly one team that's at all reminiscent of Michigan. It was PSU, and they lost 31-0.
November 28th, 2023 at 10:48 PM ^
Problem for Iowa is that we play the same style, only way better. PSU was described as Iowa with a finished basement. Michigan is Iowa with a finished basement, 4 car garage, indoor lap pool, billiards room, home theater, Jacuzzi.....
November 28th, 2023 at 11:52 PM ^
Golf simulator. Heated driveway.
November 29th, 2023 at 4:34 AM ^
And in a much better neighborhood.
November 28th, 2023 at 11:01 PM ^
The only way Iowa can win this game is 13-10.
That's how they make everyone play. They drag you in the mud with them.
This ain't gonna be no coronation.
November 29th, 2023 at 11:05 AM ^
You'd have said the same thing in 2021. The final that year was 42-3.
There's a reason Michigan is a three-touchdown favorite.
November 28th, 2023 at 9:10 PM ^
Sounded like he won't be seeing much of the field Saturday and given how bad Iowa's offense is, that should be OK.
November 28th, 2023 at 9:12 PM ^
He‘ll be there for break-in-case of emergency purposes.
November 28th, 2023 at 9:18 PM ^
Good stuff thanks
November 28th, 2023 at 9:28 PM ^
I’ve watched enough Iowa to know that any Michigan DB in this game should be salivating for pick-6s. Because there will be opportunities.
This season, an Iowa WR had a pass hit him in the facemask…and then get intercepted.
Every Iowa dropback is a scoring opportunity for Michigan
November 29th, 2023 at 7:31 AM ^
As long as we play a clean game on offense, i.e. no turnovers or penalties, we should smoke them. I envision our D getting plenty of sacks and TFLs, which translates to great field position for our offense. Iowa's defense is good but they'll have to be great all night to overcome that putrid offense.
Besides, PSU's defense was supposed to be great until we put three TDs up on them. OSU's defense was supposed to be very good until we put three TDs up on them. If our offense plays a clean game, we'll beat them comfortably. We'll even cover 23.5 if we get a few turnovers.
November 28th, 2023 at 9:34 PM ^
Go get'em Will.
Probably not needed but y’all worked too hard and for too long not to play EVERY game you can.
Go Blue - Beat Iowa
November 28th, 2023 at 9:35 PM ^
Iowa may not have a killer offense, but they're a 10-2 ballclub - regardless of the division they're in, this is an excellent record. Plus, they've got a great defense and they're not prone to making mistakes.
We have to show up prepared and ready to play. It's good to have Will available, even if he only plays if things get close.
He obviously wants to play.
November 28th, 2023 at 10:02 PM ^
They also lost to Penn State 0-31 with McNamara, All, DeJean, etc healthy.
November 29th, 2023 at 8:51 AM ^
Penn State should be our blueprint.
The PSU offense was on the field for 45 minutes of the game. There isn’t a defense in the world that can handle that kind of workload.
I want to light them on fire as much as anyone, but paving them might be the best way to win.
November 28th, 2023 at 10:22 PM ^
It's not really an excellent record, though. They lost to Minnesota. Their best win is... Northwestern?
November 28th, 2023 at 11:23 PM ^
Yes, but…the Minnesota game was when DeJean got jobbed by the refs on that punt return, arm waving bad call. In reality, Iowa should be 11-1.
True their ‘O’ is no juggernaut, however I don’t want our boys to come out flat thinking it will be a walk-over. Need to be focused hitting on all cylinders please.
November 28th, 2023 at 9:44 PM ^
Hopefully only in a "break glass in case of emergency" type scenario. I feel pretty confident CB2 - CB6 should be able to handle Iowa's passing game. Anything is possible, as they say, so if he can go it makes sense to dress him; but we'll need him in January (assuming we handle business the way this team should be able to) much more than we will in Indianapolis.