The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1542067
JANUARY 2026 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 11 ❱ INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS U-M Needs Elite Wide Receivers By Chris Balas On defense, the Wolverines need to ramp up the efforts for defensive linemen. Though there is some good, young talent and experience there, there are also a lot of unprovens. At the same time, freshman quar- terback Bryce Underwood's receivers had a tough time this year outside of freshman phenom Andrew Marsh. The Wolverines were among the league leaders in dropped balls until Marsh started getting more targets, and no- body seemed immune. There's some talent here, but young guys need to prove themselves (like Channing Goodwin, Jamar Browder). Until then, they need to bring in some proven pass catchers to go with their potentially elite quarterback, and there should be several options in the portal when it opens Jan. 2. To be fair, we wouldn't mind a game-changing tight end, either. Defense is still where it's at, but there are likely going to be games Michigan needs to win with offense next year. We feel good about the offensive line, great about the running backs and quarterback. Find more pass catchers, and this offense should be humming. The Biggest Need Is Defensive Tackle By Clayton Sayfie Michigan rotates in six defensive tackles, and four of them will be gone next season, with Rayshaun Benny, Tré Williams, Damon Payne and Ike Iwunnah being out of eligibility. Juniors Trey Pierce and Enow Etta have one and two years of eligibility remaining, respectively, but the Wolverines need more difference-makers and depth up front after the defen- sive line didn't meet the lofty expectations in 2025. Pierce is the lone starter slated to return on the defensive line in 2026, so edge rusher is a position to watch, too, but the situation isn't as dire as it is on the interior. On the edge, Michigan has a lot of promising young players, including a five-star incoming fresh- man in Carter Meadows, who could play roles. A 6-foot-2, 310-pounder, Pierce was a breakout player this season, recording 29 tackles, including 1 for loss, but didn't have a sack. Etta, meanwhile, was fifth on the team in defensive tackle snaps and showed flashes and posted 15 stops with 2.5 for loss and a half-sack, while leading the Wolverines with 7 quarterback hurries. Flat out, Michigan needs more at this position to accompany Pierce and Etta, since the staff regularly stresses the need for depth and the ability to keep players fresh. The Wolverines didn't really trust anybody else who is scheduled to return to see time on the interior of the line, save for several snaps in only three games from sopho- more Manuel Beigel. ❱ POINT ❙ COUNTERPOINT ❰ WHAT IS MICHIGAN'S BIGGEST NEED IN THE TRANSFER PORTAL? 1969 MICHIGAN vs OHIO STATE GAME Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Michigan ON DVD!! One of the greatest upsets in the history of college football – The defending National Champion and undefeated Ohio State Buckeyes vs the 7-2 Michigan Wolverines under a new head coach! This was one of OSU coach Woody Hayes' finest teams. Ohio State had won 22 games in a row and had not lost a game at Ann Arbor in ten years! Some sportswriters were calling the Buckeyes the greatest college team of all time and had installed Ohio State as 17-point favorites –— at Michigan Stadium! But, by the end of the day, a sky-high Michigan team led by first year head coach Bo Schembechler, had totally outplayed Ohio State in front of an all-time NCAA record crowd of 103,588, had tied for the Big Ten Title and was heading to the Rose Bowl! The original network tapes have been digitally restored by Rare Sportsfilms for outstanding color and picture sharpness and now this historic classic is available for the first time on DVD! Bill Flemming and Lee Grosscup call the action! This entire TV broadcast, plus the pre-game show, includes all the original commercials and also features pre-game and halftime performances by both the Ohio State and University of Michigan Marching Bands! Pre-game interviews feature Jack Tatum of Ohio State and Jim Mandich of Michigan, as well as Buckeye coach Woody Hayes! Players in action you will see throughout the game include quarterback Don Moorhead, Billy Taylor, Marty Huff, Thom Darden, Dan Dierdorf, Glenn Doughty, Garvie Craw and Barry Pierson of Michigan. For Ohio State you'll see quarterback Rex Kern, Jim Otis, Mike Sensibaugh, Leo Hayden, Jan White, Jim Stillwagon, Larry Zelina, Stan White and many others! This game marked the beginning of the famous "Woody vs Bo Ten-Year War", and is one of the most significant games in the history of Michigan-Ohio State football! Running Time: 3 Hours, 20 Minutes $29.95 FREE SHIPPING! "RARE SPORTSFILMS W" 1126 Tennyson Lane, Naperville, IL 60540 1-630-527-8890 PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL