Michigan rules out starting offensive lineman vs. Maryland
COLLEGE PARK, Md. — In addition to Jim Harbaugh, the Michigan football team will be without a starting offensive lineman today.
Left tackle LaDarius Henderson has been ruled out for Saturday’s game at Maryland (Noon, FOX), likely a precautionary measure as the Wolverines ramp up for next week’s showdown with Ohio State. Henderson spoke reporters Tuesday night after practice.
The Arizona State transfer has six starts under his belt this season as part of an ever-evolving offensive line. Given his absence, expect Karsen Barnhart to slide over to the left side and Myles Hinton to get the start at right tackle.
Michigan (10-0, 7-0 Big Ten) has remained a relatively healthy team this season, and that was confirmed Saturday in its pregame player availability report submitted to the Big Ten. The only other played ruled out was reserve running back Danny Hughes.
No players were listed as questionable.
Of course, the Wolverines are facing bigger concerns off the field. The program remains front and center in the sports world for an alleged advanced scouting scheme that has netted Harbaugh a three-game suspension and the dismissal of assistant coach Chris Partridge.
The staffer at the center of the scheme, Connor Stalions, resigned on Nov. 3.
Meanwhile, Michigan remains in the hunt for a Big Ten championship and College Football Playoff berth. A win today would keep those goals in play.
Michigan’s pregame player availability report:
OUT — OL LaDarius Henderson, RB Danny Hughes
QUESTIONABLE — None
CBS Sports analyst Jay Feely gets into social media spat with former Ohio State player Matt Finkes
“You know all about losing to the Wolverines 3 straight times Matt.”
The Michigan Wolverines and the Ohio State Buckeyes are set to face off in Week 13 with a potential College Football Playoff bid on the line. And Jay Feely, former NFL kicker turned NFL analyst for CBS Sports was directly in the fray of the annual trash talk between the two rival fanbases.
Feely famously played for Michigan from 1995-1998, which he parlayed into a 14-year NFL career. After his playing days were done, he transitioned to the broadcast booth for CBS, which is where he has been since 2014.
The former Michigan star has seen the program at its highest point. He was a part of the 1997 Michigan team that won a National Championship, the last time the program has done so.
That should make it no surprise that Feely is still deeply passionate about his alma mater, especially when someone is criticizing them.
This is the situation that arose on Twitter on Friday. Former Ohio State defensive end Matt Finkes, who played for the Buckeyes around the same as Feely did at Michigan, took to social media to trash-talk Feely and Michigan about the schools’ sign-stealing scandal.
“Hey @Jayfeely better dust off some more locker room banter about paying players back in the day,” tweeted Finkes. “****’s getting real back in Ann Arbor. What’s what? 4 staffers/coaches fired and your HC missing 1/2 the year on suspension so far. Go Bucks. Michigan cheated. Harbaugh knew.”
Feely responded to the tweet from Finkes, expressing his excitement about the upcoming matchup and his confidence in Michigan’s chances to win.
“I’ll be there in Ann Arbor next week to watch the Wolverines kick your *** for the 3rd straight year. You know all about losing to the Wolverines 3 straight times Matt.”
As Feely alluded to, Michigan won three straight games against Ohio State from 1995-1997. The Wolverines will look to replicate that winning streak next Saturday, and it sounds like Feely will be in attendance passionately cheering for his Michigan Wolverines.
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