As we head into Week 6 of the college football season, it feels like a fresh start for Michigan football, which is coming off a bye week.
It's the first of two bye weeks for the Wolverines. They will also be off on November 8th. The opponent this week is the Wisconsin Badgers (2-2).
Michigan is a heavy favorite. Luke Fickell, the Badgers' head coach, is on the hot seat. Some have speculated this game, if it's one-sided, could be the end for Fickell, sort of like Sam Pittman at Arkansas.
Yet, we don't want to get carried away. Wisconsin has a solid run defense. Michigan has a true freshman quarterback, plus, Billy Edwards could return for the Badgers. That could be a recipe for a closer game than people expect.
There's also a chance that some new faces emerge. Guys have been pushing for starting jobs at certain spots and here are three Michigan football players in danger of losing their spot.
Channing Goodwin, WR
Channing Goodwin had a reception of more than 20 yards in each of the first two games. He caught a rfile from Bryce Underwood on a 3rd-and-14 against New Mexico.
But Goodwin has been inconsistent. He was open for a touchdown against Nebraska. Underwood dropped a dime in the end zone, and Goodwin couldn't hang on. It wasn''t an easy catch, but guys have to start making plays for Bryce.
With that in mind, Goodwin is a candidate to lose his starting job. Freshman Andrew Marsh has made some freshman mistakes this season, but the talent is apparent. Sherrone Moore mentioned him on Monday as a player who stood out during the bye week.
Peyton O'Leary's name has even been mentioned. When you have a quarterback like Underwood, who can fit the ball into nearly any window, catching the ball becomes even more important. O'Leary isn't the most dynamic or athletic player in the world, yet he will catch the ball.
If Goodwin, who had just one catch for five yards against Nebraska, doesn't start catching the ball, someone else will get the opportunity.
Brady Norton, OG
Brady Norton has played well this season. He just hasn't been on the field for the past two games after coming back from an injury.
Norton started against New Mexico and was a starter against Oklahoma. Yet, in the past two weeks, Jake Guarnera has played in his place and played quite well.
Guarnera who is expected to be the future starting center for Michigan football, after the graduation of Greg Crippen, made some key blocks in Michigan's win at Nebraska as the Wolverines rushed for 286 yards.
At 6-foot-4, 317 pounds, Guarnera has good movement skills. He's also a really smart player. Sherrone Moore said both players could play. Norton shouldn't lose his job because of an injury but sometimes, the guy behind you is just that good.
That could be the case with Guarnera. Now that he has gotten on the field, it's going to be hard to take him off.
Zeke Berry, CB,
Zeke Berry is another Michigan football player who has missed time due to injury. He started the first two games and had a pass breakup in each.
However, in his absence, Jayden Sanders, a 6-foot-1, 193-pound freshman out of Kilgore, Texas, has stepped in and played very well.
Sanders has started the past two games and has only allowed 71 yards on 10 targets. Like with Guarnera, it's hard to see him get displaced at this point. He just looks so natural out there.
Yet, that doesn't mean that Berry won't have a role. The junior defensive back started seven games at nickel in 2024. That always seemed like an ideal role for him. Berry could shift back there, which could give Michigan football a better coverage option in that spot.
Then, the Wolverines would be able to rotate Brandyn Hillman, Rod Moore, and TJ Metcalf. That's a solid group of six defensive backs right there with a ton of versatility. Sanders has to keep playing well, and truly, you can never have enough cover guys, so Berry will play somewhere.
But Sanders is a gem and there's no reason to take him off the field, at least not right now.