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Michigan Football: 3 Fiesta Bowl X-Factors Crucial to the Wolverines’ Success

By Jacob Bruetsch

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 03: Colston Loveland #18 of the Michigan Wolverines catches a touchdown against Cory Trice #23 of the Purdue Boilermakers during the first half of the Big Ten Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 03: Colston Loveland #18 of the Michigan Wolverines catches a touchdown against Cory Trice #23 of the Purdue Boilermakers during the first half of the Big Ten Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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The Fiesta Bowl is one day away, where Michigan football and TCU will be squaring off for the opportunity to play in the National Championship.

For both teams, this is their biggest game of the year. For every player, this is the biggest game they’ve ever played in. Guys will need to step up in order to win, regardless of which sideline they’re on.

Michigan football has plenty of players who are capable of impacting the game in a big way. However, there are three that the game will ride on.

If they rise to the occasion, the focus could shift to next week in the second half. If they don’t, the focus could shift toward the next season. Here are those three guys, and what they must do to put the Wolverines in the driver’s seat.

1. Colston Loveland

Coming off of back-to-back big games, Colston Loveland has penciled himself into the TE1 role for next year. This season still has at least one game left in it though, and a continuation of his hot streak in the Fiesta Bowl could be vital for Michigan’s offensive success.

The freshman has had a month to keep working with the confidence boost he surely gained, and it’ll be interesting to see how big of a role he plays in the offense.

Michigan will need every bit of that practice and previous play to carry over. With TCU allegedly dead-set on stopping the run, the tight ends are going to have to play a big role.

Between run blocking and catching passes, he and senior Luke Schoonmaker are going to be called on all game. Schoonmaker is usually pretty steady, and we know what we’re going to get from him. Loveland is more unknown, and if we get his best, it will go a long way for the Wolverines.

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