5 Wolverines Most Important to Michigan’s Showdown With Michigan State

A rivalry with stakes

Michigan has won the last four meetings, including a 31-20 victory in East Lansing last year. The teams meet Saturday during state championship week, with the Paul Bunyan Trophy at stake.

The Wolverines are trying to keep their slim playoff hopes alive through the final stretch of the season. Michigan State hopes a signature win will help galvanize the program under new head coach Pat Fitzgerald.

Nichols could strengthen pressure

Dom Nichols started the season strongly, disrupting opposing quarterbacks and dominating the line of scrimmage. After Michigan’s win against Oklahoma, a nagging injury affected him, and he eventually left the lineup to recover.

Kyle Whittingham said Nichols is expected back this week, though he is listed as questionable on the injury report. His return could bolster Michigan’s four-man pass rush and give defensive coordinator Jay Hill more options.

Michigan has generated pressure without Nichols, often by sending extra rushers and playing man coverage. Rutgers completed an 80-yard scoring strike against that approach last week, and tougher opponents may also test the secondary.

Moore and Hill in coverage

Captain Rod Moore could bring both playmaking and leadership to Michigan’s secondary. His replacement, Mason Curtis, had two chances to make interceptions last week, but the ball fell incomplete; one play would have been nullified by a pass interference penalty.

Jyaire Hill is Michigan’s top cover corner, but his intensity can run high. Michigan State may look for opportunities to throw downfield if it can protect its quarterback, making Hill’s coverage and ability to make a play on the ball important.

The story describes this as a possible final game against Michigan State for Hill. He has made plays on the ball this season and could look to leave his mark in the rivalry.

Buchanan’s receiving role

JJ Buchanan has been Michigan’s most consistent pass catcher, using his size to compete for contested throws. The Wolverines showed more life through the air last week, and the story says Buchanan will need to help that progress continue.

Quarterback Tommy Carr may look to Buchanan for plays like his touchdown catch last week. Big plays could matter, though the story cautions against expecting a performance on the scale of Braylon Edwards’ 2004 showing: 11 catches, 189 yards and three touchdowns in a 45-37 Michigan victory.