The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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michigan football ton at Timberland High School. "I think what we saw was it really took some time for that mindset to change for him, but we started seeing it more and more, and then last season, it really clicked for him. "I've told him, he's done an incredible job opening the door for himself, but now he needs to really turn it up and kick the door down. Judging by the way he carries himself now, the confidence he has, and the determination to make an impact, I think you're going to see him have a very big year." Nuggets • In a compilation of six media out- lets — SI.com, CBSSports.com, ESPN. com, Athlon's, USA Today and Scout. com — Michigan holds an average 2013 preseason ranking of No. 20. The Wolverines were ranked No. 12 by SI.com and ESPN.com, but went unranked in two polls. • Michigan announced that defensive lineman Ken Wilkins, tight end Nate Allspach and safety Andrew Offerdahl are no longer with the program. Wilkins is the only scholarship athlete among the three. Senior punter Will Hagerup, meanwhile, remains suspended after violating team rules before the bowl game. Big Ten Spring Power Rankings 1. Ohio State — Last Season: 12-0 (8-0 Big Ten) The Buckeyes return nine starters from their dynamic offense of a year ago, but must plug a multitude of holes on the defensive side of the ball, including all four starting defensive linemen and two linebackers. Junior linebacker Ryan Shazier, who led OSU with 115 tackles in 2012, must continue to grow in the middle for the young defensive unit. 2. Michigan — Last Season: 8-5 (6-2) Redshirt junior signal-caller Devin Gardner's development and the return of fifthyear senior tackle Taylor Lewan should help mask the uncertainty at both running back and wide receiver. Defensively, the Wolverines will be led by an energetic linebacking corps, but are still looking for impact players in the backfield and along the line. 3. Nebraska — Last Season: 10-4 (7-1) A strong spring will be necessary to erase the memories of a nightmarish end to the 2012 season. The Cornhuskers were outscored 115-62 in losses to Georgia and Wisconsin, and must replace seven starters from a defense that struggled immensely down the stretch. 4. Northwestern — Last Season: 10-3 (5-3) The versatile one-two punch of senior quarterback Kain Colter and senior running back Venric Mark should provide explosiveness out of the backfield. Following just