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Michigan to be without key player vs. Ohio State, per report
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Michigan cornerback Will Johnson is not expected to play against Ohio State on Saturday, according to a report from ESPN’s Pete Thamel.
The Wolverines have been without their top corner since he injured his toe in a game against Illinois on Oct. 19. Johnson entered the season widely regarded as the best corner in the country, and Michigan has been waiting on his return for weeks.
Michigan’s secondary has sorely missed him. During its national championship season, Michigan ranked second nationally in passing success rate allowed. This year, the Wolverines rank 44th, per Game on Paper.
Some have wondered if Johnson is sitting out to preserve his draft stock, but U-M head coach Sherrone Moore said on Oct. 28 that the team still expected Johnson to “for sure” return this season.
“Will has no plan of just shutting it down,” Moore said then. “If he could go out there, he would go out there in a heartbeat.”
In 6 appearances prior to the injury, Johnson totaled 14 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 5 pass breakups and 2 interceptions — both of which were returned to touchdowns.
In his absence, Jyaire Hill and Aamir Hall have been the primary guys on the outside while Zeke Barry has handled the slot.
Against Ohio State, it’ll be all hands on deck. The Buckeyes enter the matchup with arguably the best trio of receivers in the country. True freshman Jeremiah Smith currently ranks fourth in the Big Ten in receiving this season with 899 yards. His 9 touchdowns are tied with multiple players — including teammate Emeka Egbuka — for the most in the Big Ten. Egbuka is also top-10 in the Big Ten in receiving.
In a revenge spot, the Buckeyes are a 19.5-point favorite over the Wolverines, via ESPN Bet. Kickoff is set for noon ET on FOX. Ohio State will be looking to snap a 3-game losing streak in The Game.
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.