Wildcat fans, Wolverine fan here with a question

[Yost24_rivals76312]

First of all, I want to congratulate you on your fine season thus far. If not for preseason polls, I think you would be ranked in the Top 10.

In any event, I'm hoping you can give me an injury report for your team.

As far as Michigan goes, we lost sophomore DT Bryan Mone in fall camp with a broken leg. Mone was poised to be a HUGE part of our interior DL (the kid will be an NFL DT one day). We ended up being OK, as DT is a spot where we are incredibly loaded with players, and that spot hasn't missed a beat, and has been a strength of the defense.

However, our starting RB De'Veon Smith suffered an ankle injury vs. BYU, and sat out yesterday's game against Maryland. We were also without a starting CB in Channing Stribling, with an undisclosed injury. Now, early reports are that both MIGHT return for NW, but as of now it's an unknown. They both probably could have played against Maryland, but it sounds like Harbaugh was rolling the dice knowing that Michigan should have been able to handle Maryland without those two, which allowed them to rest and hopefully keep minor injuries minor and not turn 1 week type injuries into 4-5 weeks. I guess we'll see. Our best all around RB (Drake Johnson) tore his ACL (for the 2nd time) against OSU last November, and has been slowly getting more and more action, but he is not ready to shoulder the load himself, which is why having Smith back is so important. The funny part is, we have two 5* RB's backing up the 3* and 4* kids, and they are backing up for a reason, they are not nearly as productive as their lower-rated counterparts.

Yesterday we suffered what might be a big loss when starting BUCK LB Mario Ojemudia was lost for the season with an achilles injury (making matters worse, the kid was a true senior, and that being the 5th game of the year he wont' be able to RS, thus ending his collegiate career). We have a solid backup, and then a younger kid with a load of potential, but no experience to speak of whatsoever.

Other than that, any injuries that our starters/major contributors have are of the "normal variety" meaning they are still playing at full (or close to full) strength.

So...what about your Wildcats?

 

[Gocatsgo2003]

First of all, I want to congratulate you on your fine season thus far. If not for preseason polls, I think you would be ranked in the Top 10.

In any event, I'm hoping you can give me an injury report for your team.

As far as Michigan goes, we lost sophomore DT Bryan Mone in fall camp with a broken leg. Mone was poised to be a HUGE part of our interior DL (the kid will be an NFL DT one day). We ended up being OK, as DT is a spot where we are incredibly loaded with players, and that spot hasn't missed a beat, and has been a strength of the defense.

However, our starting RB De'Veon Smith suffered an ankle injury vs. BYU, and sat out yesterday's game against Maryland. We were also without a starting CB in Channing Stribling, with an undisclosed injury. Now, early reports are that both MIGHT return for NW, but as of now it's an unknown. They both probably could have played against Maryland, but it sounds like Harbaugh was rolling the dice knowing that Michigan should have been able to handle Maryland without those two, which allowed them to rest and hopefully keep minor injuries minor and not turn 1 week type injuries into 4-5 weeks. I guess we'll see. Our best all around RB (Drake Johnson) tore his ACL (for the 2nd time) against OSU last November, and has been slowly getting more and more action, but he is not ready to shoulder the load himself, which is why having Smith back is so important. The funny part is, we have two 5* RB's backing up the 3* and 4* kids, and they are backing up for a reason, they are not nearly as productive as their lower-rated counterparts.

Yesterday we suffered what might be a big loss when starting BUCK LB Mario Ojemudia was lost for the season with an achilles injury (making matters worse, the kid was a true senior, and that being the 5th game of the year he wont' be able to RS, thus ending his collegiate career). We have a solid backup, and then a younger kid with a load of potential, but no experience to speak of whatsoever.

Other than that, any injuries that our starters/major contributors have are of the "normal variety" meaning they are still playing at full (or close to full) strength.

So...what about your Wildcats?

Part of the difficulty in answering your question is that Fitz and his staff are notoriously tight-lipped when it comes to injuries. But this is my best guess....

We have a couple of guys coming back from offseason injury/illness who were expected to play a key role this season (G #57 Matt Frazier and DT #93 Greg Kuhar). Minnesota was Frazier's first game while Kuhar started playing a handful of snaps against EIU and Duke. Both seem to be rotating in more than playing a full-time role at this point. As they continue to get their health and conditioning back, I would expect both to play increasingly important roles as the season wears on.

Beyond that, we have a couple of longer-term injuries to a handful of first- or second-team guys: OL #53 Geoff Mogus suffered what looked like a concussion against Ball State and was held out against Minnesota. S #21 Kyle Queiro broke his arm against Ball State and is expected to be out until at least a potential bowl game. OL #73 Adam DePietro has a lingering knee/ankle injury from which his return hasn't been formally announced. SB #9 Garrett Dickerson was held out with what appeared to be an ankle injury. WR #86 Flynn Nagel went out of the Minnesota game with an ankle.

Beyond that, we are actually relatively healthy this year (KNOCK ON ALL THE WOOD!).

 

[Aging Booster]

First of all, I want to congratulate you on your fine season thus far. If not for preseason polls, I think you would be ranked in the Top 10.

In any event, I'm hoping you can give me an injury report for your team.

As far as Michigan goes, we lost sophomore DT Bryan Mone in fall camp with a broken leg. Mone was poised to be a HUGE part of our interior DL (the kid will be an NFL DT one day). We ended up being OK, as DT is a spot where we are incredibly loaded with players, and that spot hasn't missed a beat, and has been a strength of the defense.

However, our starting RB De'Veon Smith suffered an ankle injury vs. BYU, and sat out yesterday's game against Maryland. We were also without a starting CB in Channing Stribling, with an undisclosed injury. Now, early reports are that both MIGHT return for NW, but as of now it's an unknown. They both probably could have played against Maryland, but it sounds like Harbaugh was rolling the dice knowing that Michigan should have been able to handle Maryland without those two, which allowed them to rest and hopefully keep minor injuries minor and not turn 1 week type injuries into 4-5 weeks. I guess we'll see. Our best all around RB (Drake Johnson) tore his ACL (for the 2nd time) against OSU last November, and has been slowly getting more and more action, but he is not ready to shoulder the load himself, which is why having Smith back is so important. The funny part is, we have two 5* RB's backing up the 3* and 4* kids, and they are backing up for a reason, they are not nearly as productive as their lower-rated counterparts.

Yesterday we suffered what might be a big loss when starting BUCK LB Mario Ojemudia was lost for the season with an achilles injury (making matters worse, the kid was a true senior, and that being the 5th game of the year he wont' be able to RS, thus ending his collegiate career). We have a solid backup, and then a younger kid with a load of potential, but no experience to speak of whatsoever.

Other than that, any injuries that our starters/major contributors have are of the "normal variety" meaning they are still playing at full (or close to full) strength.

So...what about your Wildcats?

Greetings to a Wolverine. First, unlike some of my brethren on this board, I have the highest respect for your coach. He was a great Bear and has proven himself sas a coach at both Stanford and SF. I truly hope and believe that he will return UM to its rightful position in the Big Ten. I have little to add to what GCG wrote, other than to say that we have more depth than we have had in years. Our weakest position is clearly WR, with Christian Jones our lone consistent performer there; but, he is returning from serious knee surgery. Watch Anthony Walker at MLB and Godwin Igwebuike at DB - both will be in the NFL someday. We play 8 people on our DL without any dropoff. If we can run the ball, we will be OK against anybody.

 

[corbi2961]

First of all, I want to congratulate you on your fine season thus far. If not for preseason polls, I think you would be ranked in the Top 10.

In any event, I'm hoping you can give me an injury report for your team.

As far as Michigan goes, we lost sophomore DT Bryan Mone in fall camp with a broken leg. Mone was poised to be a HUGE part of our interior DL (the kid will be an NFL DT one day). We ended up being OK, as DT is a spot where we are incredibly loaded with players, and that spot hasn't missed a beat, and has been a strength of the defense.

However, our starting RB De'Veon Smith suffered an ankle injury vs. BYU, and sat out yesterday's game against Maryland. We were also without a starting CB in Channing Stribling, with an undisclosed injury. Now, early reports are that both MIGHT return for NW, but as of now it's an unknown. They both probably could have played against Maryland, but it sounds like Harbaugh was rolling the dice knowing that Michigan should have been able to handle Maryland without those two, which allowed them to rest and hopefully keep minor injuries minor and not turn 1 week type injuries into 4-5 weeks. I guess we'll see. Our best all around RB (Drake Johnson) tore his ACL (for the 2nd time) against OSU last November, and has been slowly getting more and more action, but he is not ready to shoulder the load himself, which is why having Smith back is so important. The funny part is, we have two 5* RB's backing up the 3* and 4* kids, and they are backing up for a reason, they are not nearly as productive as their lower-rated counterparts.

Yesterday we suffered what might be a big loss when starting BUCK LB Mario Ojemudia was lost for the season with an achilles injury (making matters worse, the kid was a true senior, and that being the 5th game of the year he wont' be able to RS, thus ending his collegiate career). We have a solid backup, and then a younger kid with a load of potential, but no experience to speak of whatsoever.

Other than that, any injuries that our starters/major contributors have are of the "normal variety" meaning they are still playing at full (or close to full) strength.

So...what about your Wildcats?

I will be making the trek to Ann Arbor for the game with my son and two of his 13 year old friends. Hope to get there early so I can take the kids for a walk around the Michigan campus. Any suggestions on where to park and possible spots to hit up for lunch?

 

[rwhitney014]

I will be making the trek to Ann Arbor for the game with my son and two of his 13 year old friends. Hope to get there early so I can take the kids for a walk around the Michigan campus. Any suggestions on where to park and possible spots to hit up for lunch?

Zingerman's. The answer is Zingerman's.

 

[Deeringfish]

Zingerman's. The answer is Zingerman's.

I made quite a few trips to Ann Arbor when my son was there and found Zingermans to be just a deli.

 

[shakes3858]

Part of the difficulty in answering your question is that Fitz and his staff are notoriously tight-lipped when it comes to injuries. But this is my best guess....

We have a couple of guys coming back from offseason injury/illness who were expected to play a key role this season (G #57 Matt Frazier and DT #93 Greg Kuhar). Minnesota was Frazier's first game while Kuhar started playing a handful of snaps against EIU and Duke. Both seem to be rotating in more than playing a full-time role at this point. As they continue to get their health and conditioning back, I would expect both to play increasingly important roles as the season wears on.

Beyond that, we have a couple of longer-term injuries to a handful of first- or second-team guys: OL #53 Geoff Mogus suffered what looked like a concussion against Ball State and was held out against Minnesota. S #21 Kyle Queiro broke his arm against Ball State and is expected to be out until at least a potential bowl game. OL #73 Adam DePietro has a lingering knee/ankle injury from which his return hasn't been formally announced. SB #9 Garrett Dickerson was held out with what appeared to be an ankle injury. WR #86 Flynn Nagel went out of the Minnesota game with an ankle.

Beyond that, we are actually relatively healthy this year (KNOCK ON ALL THE WOOD!).

I'll clarify a couple things that the OP could probably figure out... With a google search but I'll help him because he seems nice.

If healthy Matt Frazier would no question been a starting guard. Geoff Mogus would be starting LT again if healthy. Mogus played guard last year and moved to the outside. DiPietro would be a back up guard. We have a lots of guys who are close in ability all over the team but especially the Oline. Fitz's philosophy is if there's a small difference between our #1 and #2 guy, you play the fresh man (not the freshman). I think Fitz wants to rotate 9-10 guys on the line maybe more.

DT Kuhar again would've been a top the depth chart if healthy. Tore ACL against Notre Dame last season. DT Sean McEvilly sat out last year with a foot injury and most of the previous year and applied for a 6th year and got it... Unfortunately, he decided for medical reasons to retire. DT looked like a position with no depth... But it's absolutely not. We go 7 deep at DT (including starting DE dean Lowery that moves inside a lot on passing downs).

Kyle Queiro is a back up safety. Think he played nickel too.

SB means super back it's a tightend fullback receiver combo position. Dickerson is the #2 there. He tried to re-enter the game against ball state without permission of the coaching staff leading to a 12 men on the field penalty if I remember correctly. That tells me he could be back but I shouldn't speculate. We had another SB probably #3 go down in the offseason for the year. A true freshman LB (and brother of starting SB) has played there along with a OG.

Flynn Nagel is a true freshman and probably WR 6-7 (maybe a touch lower) including our SB Dan Vitale who is probably receiver #1. Like Oline and Dline we run lots and lots of players at WR

 

[Yost24_rivals76312]

I will be making the trek to Ann Arbor for the game with my son and two of his 13 year old friends. Hope to get there early so I can take the kids for a walk around the Michigan campus. Any suggestions on where to park and possible spots to hit up for lunch?

What's your palate?

As far as parking, it's everywhere. Obviously, the closer you are to the stadium (such as Pioneer HS, which is just a hundred yards or so away from the stadium), the more you're going to pay. There are tons of parking areas coming down State St., you generally pay around $20-30 in those areas. But again, you won't have problems finding areas to park, it will just depend on how much you're willing to pay as far as how close you will get. My daughter just graduated from Michigan back in May. Her junior and senior year living arrangements were fantastic as her apartment complex was literally only about 100 yards or so from Michigan Stadium. She could leave her place and be at the stadium in 2-3 minutes. That made it VERY nice to attend games!!

 

[corbi2961]

I am with three 13 year olds. I was thinking of taking them for Burgers at Blimpy Jim's. Good idea or will it be a mad house on game day?

 

[Yost24_rivals76312]

I am with three 13 year olds. I was thinking of taking them for Burgers at Blimpy Jim's. Good idea or will it be a mad house on game day?

Speaking with my daughter, pretty much anywhere you go will be packed...as game days in Ann Arbor are obviously packed with Michigan fans, etc. However, the businesses are also prepared for this, so while you might have to wait in line, you should get in and out in a relatively decent amount of time, considering it's game day, a big matchup between two ranked teams, etc.

One of my favorite burger places in Ann Arbor is Quickie Burger, it's famous like Blimpy Burger, but IMHO it's a really good burger. It's northeast of the stadium, but maybe just a bit more than half the distance that Blimpy Burger is away from Michigan Stadium IIRC. It's right on State St. FWIW, right on the edge of Central Campus, so if you can more easily take that tour of campus like you mentioned earlier. Since it's a 3:30 kickoff, IMHO you should have more than enough time to tour the campus beforehand, get a burger (at either location really, although Quickie is closer as I mentioned), etc, then get back and maybe tour the athletic facilities as well.

FWIW, my daughter also mentioned a place called Good Time Charlie's, which is right on Central Campus. She said they're known for good burgers as well.

 

[shakes3858]

Yost how bad is traffic post game. C Heading from Chicago to Ann Arbor before the game and Then to Detroit post game to visit friends and not have to get all the way backs to Chicago. What's your best guess at when I would get there.

 

[Alaskawildkat]

"Yesterday we suffered what might be a big loss when starting BUCK LB Mario Ojemudia was lost for the season with an achilles injury..."

Was that the kid I saw leaving the field on crutches? I thought I heard reference to an offensive lineman being injured or is a BUCK LB an offensive lineman?

 

[mikewebb68]

Irrelevent for the Michigan game, but WGN reported yesterday that Kyle might be out only a month. Was a suprise to me.

 

[aquacat]

Irrelevent for the Michigan game, but WGN reported yesterday that Kyle might be out only a month. Was a suprise to me.

There's no way you can come back from a fractured arm in 1 month. 6-8 weeks at least is required and that is for a hairline fracture or a surgically placed metal plate with screws

 

[PURPLECAT88]

Yost how bad is traffic post game. C Heading from Chicago to Ann Arbor before the game and Then to Detroit post game to visit friends and not have to get all the way backs to Chicago. What's your best guess at when I would get there.

Traffic is pretty bad after games. They make Ann Arbor-Saline Road one way south to 94, and that's probably your best bet whether heading back to Chi or to Det. Plenty of traffic cops who've done this many times before, but tailgating for an hour or more after the game waiting for traffic to clear is never a bad idea.

 

[PURPLECAT88]

"Yesterday we suffered what might be a big loss when starting BUCK LB Mario Ojemudia was lost for the season with an achilles injury..."

Was that the kid I saw leaving the field on crutches? I thought I heard reference to an offensive lineman being injured or is a BUCK LB an offensive lineman?

Ojemudia is a linebacker. Tough break for a solid player, but as always Mich has plenty of depth there.

 

[DaCat]

Traffic is pretty bad after games. They make Ann Arbor-Saline Road one way south to 94, and that's probably your best bet whether heading back to Chi or to Det. Plenty of traffic cops who've done this many times before, but tailgating for an hour or more after the game waiting for traffic to clear is never a bad idea.

Also if you stop on the way out to fight some drunk frat boys like PurpleBookCat likes to do, it could add another 15-30 minutes.

 

[Hungry Jack]

Irrelevent for the Michigan game, but WGN reported yesterday that Kyle might be out only a month. Was a suprise to me.

Well, if the break was not displaced and "minor" it's very possible he could be back with a cast or brace. Then he could use it to clothesline opposing receivers.

 

[EvanstonCat]

Well, if the break was not displaced and "minor" it's very possible he could be back with a cast or brace. Then he could use it to clothesline opposing receivers.

Didn't Nate Williams or Brian Peters or someone play with a broken arm in a cast? Used it exactly as you said. Laid out some poor mofo's with that cast.

 

[Gocatsgo2003]

Didn't Nate Williams or Brian Peters or someone play with a broken arm in a cast? Used it exactly as you said. Laid out some poor mofo's with that cast.

Plenty of guys have played with the whole-hand "nub" cast, but that's only a possibility if the break is in the hand/wrist area. Queiro's seemed to be higher up on his forearm, which would make that impossible.

 

[elgatoloco_rivals308553]

Speaking with my daughter, pretty much anywhere you go will be packed...as game days in Ann Arbor are obviously packed with Michigan fans, etc. However, the businesses are also prepared for this, so while you might have to wait in line, you should get in and out in a relatively decent amount of time, considering it's game day, a big matchup between two ranked teams, etc.

One of my favorite burger places in Ann Arbor is Quickie Burger, it's famous like Blimpy Burger, but IMHO it's a really good burger. It's northeast of the stadium, but maybe just a bit more than half the distance that Blimpy Burger is away from Michigan Stadium IIRC. It's right on State St. FWIW, right on the edge of Central Campus, so if you can more easily take that tour of campus like you mentioned earlier. Since it's a 3:30 kickoff, IMHO you should have more than enough time to tour the campus beforehand, get a burger (at either location really, although Quickie is closer as I mentioned), etc, then get back and maybe tour the athletic facilities as well.

FWIW, my daughter also mentioned a place called Good Time Charlie's, which is right on Central Campus. She said they're known for good burgers as well.

Ann Arbor has great food. (Though I want to love Zingerman's more than I actually do.)

With the kids in tow we usually go to Pizza House.

 

[CSCatFan1]

Zingerman's. The answer is Zingerman's.

Great call Ray. My first stop upon arriving in Ann Arbor. Zingerman’s Roadhouse for the win!

 

[No Chores]

Been there many times Coral, and had something different every time. Sandwiches are all tough to beat and bread is great as well.