GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: Northwestern’s leading rusher, sophomore Jeremy Larkin, has had to retire because of cervical stenosis, leaving the Wildcats with no players who have run for more than 21 yards this season. That means Michigan doesn’t have much film on how Northwestern will handle the ground game.
DRAFT SLANT
–DL Rashan Gary is expected to be a high first-round pick. “It’s at the highest level, his preparation during the week, his intensity in practice,” Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh said of the junior. “Such a great example for the rest of the players on the team. ‘I want to play like Rashan Gary, how do I go about that?’ It’s a great position to be in, to look at your best player, how he prepares.”
ROSTER REPORT:
–WR Tarik Black, who had foot surgery just prior to the start of the season, could be in line to return soon. Harbaugh said the team “could have some good news” after Black meets with his doctor, who works for the Green Bay Packers, when the Packers visit the Detroit Lions the first weekend of October.
–LB Khaleke Hudson, who missed the first half against Nebraska because of a targeting ejection the week before, will be sitting out the first two quarters at Northwestern as well thanks to another targeting call.
–The lopsided nature of Michigan’s last three games has made it so 88 different players have seen action this season. That number includes 26 players making their career debut, including 10 true freshmen, as well as 20 current or former walk-ons.
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