AIDAN HUTCHINSON

Tributes to the four slain students were all over Michigan and the Big Ten championship game on Saturday.

At first glance, the Cinderella story in this year’s College Football Playoff is Cincinnati, the first team outside one of the so-called “Power 5” conferences to qualify. “Nobody thought we could do this,” Michigan star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson said after Michigan beat Iowa on Saturday night to win the Big Ten championship and clinch a playoff berth. Michigan was all the way down at…”others receiving votes.” Michigan received 12 votes, good for 32nd overall. Michigan was ranked behind five Big Ten teams: Ohio State, Wisconsin, Indiana, Iowa, and Penn State. It may be hard to embrace the idea of the winningest program in college football history being an underdog, a surprise, a Cinderella.

No. 2 seed Michigan and No. 3 Georgia will meet in a College Football Playoff semifinal on New Year’s Eve in the Orange Bowl in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Even though the Michigan Wolverines made it to the mountaintop of the Big Ten, champions for the first time in 17 years, they made it clear Saturday night some things are bigger than football.

Yet one stat came to light this week, after Michigan handled arch rival Ohio State to earn a berth in the Big Ten championship game. And it fueled them in the days leading up to Saturday’s 42-3 rout of Iowa. “The beginning of the year, the odds (were) 2 percent likely that we win the Big Ten championship,” sixth-year senior offensive lineman Andrew Vastardis said. More: Michigan beats Iowa for Big Ten title, headed to College Football PlayoffBut following Saturday’s win, shouts of “6-6″ could be heard from outside Michigan’s locker room. The results were tangible, and week by week Michigan’s stock soared — up the rankings, up the minds of college football’s power brokers.

Like the Michigan coach says, the response typically diminishes one side. “I love this team,” Harbaugh said, his defensive MVP and Heisman Trophy candidate, Aidan Hutchinson, sitting next to him. In July, at Big Ten Media Days, Harbaugh, Hutchinson, linebacker Josh Ross and running back Hassan Haskins all spoke of a different team. “One of the first things I thought of after we won was coach Harbaugh,” McNamara said. After last season, it was so tough — not just for our players, but for coach Harbaugh as well.

Hassan Haskins ran for two second-half touchdowns and broke a school record as No. 2 Michigan captured its first Big Ten title in 17 years and a probable playoff berth with a 42-3 rout over No. 15 Iowa.

The game Saturday night will decide the Big Ten Conference championship and a berth into the College Football Playoff for the Michigan Wolverines.

After pulling off an upset against Ohio State, Michigan’s football team has a chance to claim its first Big Ten title since 2004 with a win over Iowa on Saturday. On the latest episode of “Wolverine Confidential” podcast, MLive’s Ryan Zuke, Aaron McMann and Andrew Kahn discuss the top storylines heading into the title game between the second-ranked Wolverines (11-1) and 15th-ranked Hawkeyes (10-2). Plus, the men’s basketball team is reeling. Listen to this week’s episode in the embedded player below (click here if you can’t see it) or on your preferred podcasting platform. Buy Wolverines gear: Fanatics, Nike, Amazon, LidsBuy Wolverines tickets: StubHub, SeatGeek, TicketmasterStream Wolverines games live: fuboTV, ESPN+, Sling

Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker III and Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson made the final cut for one of the nation’s top awards. Those two were among the five finalists named Thursday for the Walter Camp Player of the Year award. Walker is also a finalist for the Doak Walker Award (nation’s top running back) and Maxwell Award (player of the year) and winners for those will also be announced Dec. 9. Hutchinson on Tuesday was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. He has topped 100 yards rushing in eight games this season and eclipsed 200 yards on the ground twice and ranks second in the nation in rushing yards and rushing yards per game (136.3).

A late-season surge on the national stage has suddenly catapulted Aidan Hutchinson into Heisman Trophy discussion. “It’s pretty cool, you see it in places on social media,” Hutchinson, who was named Big Ten defensive player of the year, admitted this week in a television interview. And just once has a defensive player (Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o, in 2012) even garnered enough votes to finish in the top three. Sportsbook operator BetMGM lists him as a 12/1 favorite to win the Heisman, trailing only Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (X/X) and Stroud (9/2). Hutchinson came to Michigan to follow in the footsteps of his father, Chris, whose single-season sack record he broke this year.

A day after Aidan Hutchinson was named Big Ten defensive player of the year, two of his teammates on the other side of the ball were recognized for their standout play. Running back Hassan Haskins and offensive lineman Andrew Stueber were named first-team all-conference selections for the 2021 season, it was announced Wednesday. His 1,232 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns ranked second in the Big Ten behind Michigan State’s Kenneth Walker III, who was named running back of the year. Stroud won awards for Big Ten offensive player, quarterback and freshman of the year awards. Michigan offensive players to earn all-Big Ten honors:Hassan Haskins — first-team running back (media/coaches)Andrew Stueber — first-team offensive lineman (media)Ryan Hayes — second-team offensive lineman (coaches)Zak Zinter — second-team offensive lineman (media)Andrew Vastardis — second-team offensive lineman (media)Cade McNamara — third-team quarterback (coaches/media)Blake Corum — third-team running back (media)

The senior defensive end from Michigan was announced Tuesday as the Big Ten’s Nagurski-Woodson Defensive Player of the Year, an award voted on by the media and coaches. He was also named Big Ten defensive lineman of the year. The Plymouth, Mich., native was named Big Ten defensive player of the week on Monday following his seven-tackle, three-sack performance in the Wolverines’ 42-27 upset win over No. More: Jim Harbaugh: Aidan Hutchinson should go No. Other Big Ten awards for Michigan players:Jake Moody — kicker of the yearDavid Ojabo — first-team linebackerDaxton Hill — first-team defensive back

Hutch for Heisman?

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh is stumping for defensive end Aidan Hutchinson to win the Heisman Trophy after he starred in a win over Ohio State that put the second-ranked Wolverines in the Big Ten championship game and national title race.

The Wolverines dominated Ohio State 42-27 on Saturday at Michigan Stadium. The Wolverine Confidential crew discuses what Michigan did to pull off the upset -- which really didn’t look like an upset at all. + The postgame mayhemPlus, a brief discussion about Michigan’s Big Ten championship with Iowa and a potential College Football Playoff invitation. 97Big Ten championship game sold out; Michigan, Iowa fans must pay up on secondary marketMichigan’s stunning win reignites rivalry with Ohio StateIowa’s Kirk Ferentz applauds Michigan for sticking with Jim HarbaughBeating Ohio State checks off one goal for Michigan football, but it still wants goldJim Harbaugh: Aidan Hutchinson should go No. 1 in NFL draftFor the first time in forever, Ohio State feels pain of a Michigan loss: ‘It’s a failure’

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Jim Harbaugh stumped for him after Michigan’s historic win over Ohio State on Saturday. Now the Wolverines’ head coach has a message to all NFL scouts and general managers: Start paying attention to Aidan Hutchinson. “If there’s a better player out there that’s draft-eligible that’s better than Aidan Hutchinson, I have not seen that player,” Harbaugh told reporters Monday. “I don’t know who will have the first pick in the draft, but they should be studying — very thoroughly — Aidan Hutchinson,” Harbaugh said. “There’s been some awfully good players that have played here at Michigan and not done what Aidan Hutchinson has done,” Harbaugh continued.

But as Ferentz, Iowa’s head coach, watched tape in his office of Michigan’s dominant win over Ohio State and saw the havoc No. That’s what you’re looking at with 97.”In what will not be news to Michigan fans, Ferentz is referring to Aidan Hutchinson. The senior defensive end is part of a well-rounded Michigan team that Ferentz and the Hawkeyes will face on Saturday night in Indianapolis. Related: Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz applauds Michigan for sticking with Jim HarbaughMoving the ball figures to be a challenge for Iowa. Ferentz knows Ohio State’s offensive line is an impressive group, and yet Michigan’s edge rushers, which also include David Ojabo (No.

The two players central to Michigan’s monumental win over Ohio State earned nods from the Big Ten this week. Michigan (11-1, 8-1 Big Ten) will play Iowa for the Big Ten championship on Saturday in Indianapolis (noon, FOX). Haskins, a senior running back, rushed 28 times for 169 yards and five touchdowns in the win, tying a single-game program record for touchdowns. He finishes the regular season with 18 rushing touchdowns, second-most in program history with Anthony Thomas (2000) and Chris Perry (2003). The St. Louis, Mo., native is just one of three FBS running backs to record five rushing touchdowns in a game this season.

Hassan Haskins and Aidan Hutchinson have carried the Michigan football team all season, and with their performances in the win over Ohio State, they cemented themselves as program legends.

Before Saturday’s showdown between Michigan and Ohio State, many college football pundits believed the Wolverines needed to play a near-perfect game to have a chance. Michigan totaled 487 yards of offense, and although it allowed 458 yards to OSU’s top-ranked offense, it held it to just three touchdowns. PFF grades every player on every play in multiple facets of the game, such as passing, rushing, receiving, pass blocking, run defense, etc. With that said, here are Michigan snap counts from Saturday’s win and key takeaways from PFF’s grades. Buy Wolverines gear: Fanatics, Nike, Amazon, LidsBuy Wolverines tickets: StubHub, SeatGeek, TicketmasterStream Wolverines games live: fuboTV, ESPN+, Sling

Conference champions will be crowned, bowl selection pecking orders will be locked in and more clarity will emerge about which teams will and won’t be among the four picked for the College Football Playoff.

ANN ARBOR – Earlier in the week, Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson said he already had been visualizing walking off the field at Michigan Stadium victorious against Ohio State. His first came in the first quarter on third-and-goal, forcing a Buckeyes field goal that made it a 7-3 game. Saturday was his last opportunity to beat the Buckeyes, a feat his father, Chris Hutchinson, did three times during his career. “I mean, this is it right here -- visualizing storming the field,” Hutchinson told reporters after the game. “I told you guys at the Big Ten media day that we’re emphasizing this game more,” Hutchinson said of the OSU rivalry.

Jim Harbaugh has finally beaten Ohio State as Michigan’s head coach. In his sixth meeting against the Buckeyes, Harbaugh watched as his sixth-ranked Wolverines toppled No. 2 Ohio State 42-27 at Michigan Stadium to punch their ticket to the Big Ten championship. The Wolverines’ victory snaps an eight-game losing streak against the Buckeyes, who also won 15 of the previous 16 meetings. Michigan Upsets Ohio State and Aims for a Playoff Berth (New York Times)Jim Harbaugh’s plan takes shape as Michigan Wolverines bully Ohio State Buckeyes (ESPN)Michigan beats Ohio State 42-27, ends 8-game skid in rivalry (Associated Press)Jim Harbaugh finally gets over hump as Michigan topples Ohio State in testy thriller (Yahoo)How Michigan stopped the nation’s most explosive offense by making Ohio State one-dimensional (Cleveland.com)Jim Harbaugh Gets Michigan Breakthrough vs. Ohio State and Shakes Up CFB Playoff (Bleacher Report)Michigan bullies Ohio State for upset 42-27 victory (Columbus Post Dispatch)

Hassan Haskins scored five touchdowns and Aidan Hutchinson had three sacks, helping No. 6 Michigan finally beat No. 2 Ohio State 42-27 to give Jim Harbaugh his first win as a coach against the rivals.

Second-ranked Ohio State plays at No. 6 Michigan on Saturday with high stakes.

Jim Harbaugh’s team recovered from a 2-4 season a year ago and road loss to Michigan State on Oct. 30 to get itself back in an all-too-familiar spot. That’s third-best in the Big Ten, trailing only Wisconsin and Minnesota, the latter of which (you might recall) gave Ohio State a Week 1 scare. More: Michigan’s biggest challenge vs. Ohio State? Not committing turnovers will be important, but even more important will be forcing some against an Ohio State team that has committed just nine giveaways all season. McNamara and the passing game will be leaned on heavily Saturday to sustain drives and keep up with a lightning-fast Ohio State offense capable of scoring on any play.

The Game is going to be a game again, or at least that appears to the case before No. 2 Ohio State plays No. 6 Michigan.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Aidan Hutchinson arrived at Michigan in 2018 as a highly-touted freshman and son of a former All-American. It’s only fitting that the Michigan-Ohio State game on Saturday (noon, FOX), a high-stakes matchup that has the Wolverines back in the national spotlight, is his last at Michigan Stadium. No longer was Ohio State on the mind the week of “The Game,” but all season long. If not, see ya later.”More: Michigan’s biggest challenge vs. Ohio State? “Obviously I can’t guarantee anything, but I really think this team is at a good head space right now.

For the third time in the past six years, Michigan football will play Ohio State with a Big Ten East title and playoff appearance on the line. But this time, it’ll happen on Michigan’s turf.

— The game for The Game is less than 24 hours away, and it’s one Michigan should — and likely will — win. Will Blake Corum play? Saturday’s win over Penn State was just the second game all season McCarthy, the true-freshman backup, didn’t play any snaps. But the decision not to utilize McCarthy at all against Penn State was an interesting one. Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson moves in on Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford during the first quarter on Nov. 13, 2021.

ANN ARBOR – It didn’t take long for Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson to make an impact against Penn State on Saturday. The high motor Hutchinson plays with on Saturdays is noticeable to the entire college football world, but Michigan offensive coordinator Josh Gattis also sees it every day in practice. “Aidan is the absolute best player in college football,” Gattis told reporters Wednesday. “What Aidan brings to this team is -- I won’t say it’s one person specifically -- but Aidan could have left last year, right?” Gattis said. “Aidan Hutchinson just continues to be relentless,” head coach Jim Harbaugh said Monday.

Aidan Hutchinson arguably had the best game of his collegiate career on Saturday, and he’s being rewarded by the Big Ten for it. The conference named Hutchinson, a senior defensive end, defensive player of the week following his seven-tackle, three-sack performance in Michigan’s 21-17 victory over Penn State. Ojabo added two sacks himself as the Wolverines racked up a season-high seven sacks in the game. Hutchinson is just the fourth Michigan player to record three sacks in a game since 2000, and first to do it since Josh Uche in 2019. He was also named defensive player of the week by the Senior Bowl, the annual NFL prospect game for college seniors.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Just when you thought Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo couldn’t do any more, they turn in *that* kind of performance. In total, the Wolverines compiled a season-high seven sacks; three of them by Hutchinson, who set a new single-game career high, and two from Ojabo. “Those were havoc plays by the defense,” said Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, who himself lost track of the count. We made a lot of plays.”More: Overheard outside the locker room: No flinching vs. Penn StateWhile Michigan’s defense lived in the backfield on Saturday, it opened the door to big plays. “He knew we were coming,” said Hutchinson, named one of four finalists for the Lombardi Award for nation’s best lineman.

After getting outgained 145 yards to 15 in the first quarter, the Wolverines (9-1, 6-1 Big Ten) settled in in the second quarter. Hutchinson and Ojabo are tied for the Big Ten lead with 10 sacks each after they recorded three and two, respectively, Saturday. They both forced a fumble, and Hutchinson also caused a holding penalty on a Penn State tackle. Junior ColsonThe true freshman inside linebacker led the team in tackles for a second straight game, this time finishing with 12. The Wolverines allowed 15 plays of 10 or more yards, with most coming in the first half.

Cade McNamara threw a 47-yard touchdown pass to tight end Erick All with 3:29 left and No. 9 Michigan stayed in the Big Ten championship race, rallying past tricky No. 23 Penn State 21-17.

Michigan senior defensive end Aidan Hutchinson moved up one spot from Kiper’s last rankings in October, checking in at No. “Ojabo has been one of the most impressive newcomers in the country this season,” Kiper wrote. “We learned about him when we first got here,” Michigan first-year defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald said of Ojabo on Wednesday. “In the preseason, I led off my write-up on the Michigan edge rusher with ‘I think Hutchinson could have a big year,’” Kiper wrote. Buy Wolverines gear: Fanatics, Nike, Amazon, LidsBuy Wolverines tickets: StubHub, SeatGeek, TicketmasterStream Wolverines games live: fuboTV, ESPN+, Sling

Penn State head coach James Franklin is well aware of the problems Michigan pass-rushers Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo have presented for opposing offenses this season. “Been impressed with how they’re playing on defense,” Franklin said Tuesday of Michigan. “I think it really starts with their two defensive ends: David Ojabo who we know very well, went to the same high school as (PSU defensive end) Jayson Oweh. “I mean, you watch that Michigan State game, both of those defensive ends showed up with with huge plays. “That’s what we kind of emphasize -- if we do our parts, and the D linemen do their job and vice versa, it’s a lot easier on us,” Michigan defensive back Daxton Hill said.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Jim Harbaugh was reluctant to provide many updates on injured members of the Michigan football team on Monday. Edwards was absent from the team’s 37-33 loss to Michigan State on Saturday and did not travel with the team to East Lansing because of injury, a spokesman previously said. Meanwhile, there’s some concern about quarterback Cade McNamara, who took a couple of big hits in Saturday’s loss to Michigan State. “Good football team,” he said. “Both linebackers (are) extremely good,” Harbaugh said.

Jim Harbaugh took the high road Saturday afternoon, electing not to criticize Big Ten officiating in public after Michigan’s devastating loss to Michigan State. But two days later, with the dust now settled on the Wolverines’ 37-33 loss and the game film reviewed, Harbaugh grew a bit more animated. Upon review, however, officials said MSU quarterback Payton Thorne’s knee was down at the 2-yard line and the play was ruled dead. Bowl projections: Michigan ‘hurt its cause,’ but can still reach NY6 game“I think everybody that has a rationale view, non-partial view, would say that’s the rule that is written,” Harbaugh continued. The loss not only gave MSU bragging rights for another year, but set Michigan (7-1, 4-1 Big Ten) back in the race for the Big Ten’s East Division crown.

Michigan suffered its first loss of the season Saturday, falling to rival Michigan State 37-33 after blowing a 16-point lead in the second half. The Wolverines’ offense totaled 552 yards, but it had to settle for four field goals as the team’s red-zone offense scuffled once again. With that in mind, here are Michigan snap counts and key takeaways from PFF’s grades from Saturday’s loss. He was Michigan’s highest-graded player on offense Saturday with a mark of 84.0. Buy Wolverines gear: Fanatics, Nike, Amazon, LidsBuy Wolverines tickets: StubHub, SeatGeek, TicketmasterStream Wolverines games live: fuboTV, ESPN+, Sling

Michigan may have lost its first game of the season, but it hasn’t lost the confidence of college football voters just yet. 9, in the AP Top 25 poll following a 37-33 loss to Michigan State on Saturday. With the victory, Michigan State leap-frogged Ohio State for the No. The first College Football Playoff rankings, the poll used to determine the four-team playoff, are set to be released Tuesday night. After the loss on Saturday, Michigan players acknowledged that their goals of reaching the College Football Playoff were still in play.

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Players described a somber locker room at Spartan Stadium in the wake of Michigan’s 37-33 loss to Michigan State on Saturday. Michigan is no longer unbeaten (7-1) and is expected to drop in the rankings when they come out later today. The response will have to begin Saturday against Indiana (7:30 p.m., FOX), the only remaining winless team in Big Ten play. It was 2018 when Michigan dropped its season opener to Notre Dame and went on to win 10 straight games and reach No. “The players played hard — and now they’re going to have to strengthen their resolve.”Said Vastardis: “We’ve gone through it already.

By late afternoon those numbers didn’t look as good thanks to Michigan State’s Kenneth Walker III. The Heisman Trophy contender ran through and past Michigan’s defense in a monster performance that propelled the Spartans to a 37-33 victory. Michigan’s defense was caught off guard on a few other snaps on Saturday. Three of Michigan State’s touchdown drives were exactly 75 yards and another was 86. Only once was Michigan’s defense put in a bad spot, field-position wise, and Michigan State took advantage with a 41-yard touchdown drive.

But the Wolverines fared poorly against Michigan State in a stat not found in the box score: They were 0-for-6 on replay reviews. With 1:31 left in the second quarter, Michigan’s David Ojabo sacked Michigan State quarterback Payton Thorne at the Spartan three-yard line, forcing a fumble in the process. Aidan Hutchinson dove on the ball in the end zone and the referees signaled a Michigan touchdown. Both resulted in Michigan State completions. The final replay was deployed early in the fourth quarter, after Michigan State had tied the game at 30 with a successful two-point conversion.

A matchup between Michigan and Michigan State always has special meaning within the state.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Aidan Hutchinson is highly visible on Saturdays, navigating the minefield of opposing offenses to wreak havoc in the backfield. Teammates say his motor is unlike anything they have ever seen, while coaches laud the Michigan defensive end’s work ethic. His desire to keep getting better hasn’t gone unnoticed.

ANN ARBOR -- Michigan star Aidan Hutchinson was watching Michigan State’s last game, against Indiana on Oct. 16, and had mixed emotions when it ended with a Spartans’ victory. “Obviously I was a little bit pissed,” Hutchinson said on Tuesday evening. “But I was like, ‘Hey, now our game will be a battle of the undefeateds.’”

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Things got a bit awkward in the winter when Michigan co-captain and star defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson found out his roommate was leaving. Ben VanSumeren, a linebacker on the football team, entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal in February, a day after his younger brother, Alex, announced his de-commitment from Michigan.

College football trophies have a tendency to be quirky, whether it’s the Old Brass Spittoon, the Little Brown Jug, the Iron Skillet, the Bronze Boot or the Golden Egg.

Overall, Michigan received an above-average overall grade of 81.3 (out of 100) from Pro Football Focus. With that in mind, here are Michigan snap counts and key takeaways from PFF’s grades from Saturday’s game. His overall grade of 80.1 ranked second on the team’s defense among players who played double-digit snaps. Haskins’ received an overall grade of 83.2 while Corum notched a 77.4 – both top-four on the team’s offense. Despite his high completion percentage, he received an overall grade of 58.0, one of the lowest on the team.

“I still can’t believe we lost that Michigan State game. While the Wolverines’ offense hasn’t been game-changing, the group continues to score first, limit the turnovers (they four, tied for second-fewest in the country) and move the football. 8 Michigan State on Saturday in East Lansing (noon, FOX) begins a stretch of games for Michigan that will make or break the season. And now, we’ll start that process of preparation for the next opponent.”More: Michigan’s passing game conundrum: Will it work against better competition? Michigan State will be ready, prepared and is riding just as high as Michigan, setting the stage for what should be an energized environment.

ANN ARBOR – Michigan’s football team overcame a shaky start Saturday and outscored Northwestern 23-0 in the second half of a 33-7 victory at Michigan Stadium. Michigan’s defense held Northwestern to 233 yards, with 75 coming on an Evan Hull touchdown run in the second quarter. Here is our stock report from Saturday’s game as the Wolverines improve to 7-0. STOCK DOWNRed zone offenseThe Wolverines settled for two field goals inside the red zone against Nebraska, and their red zone offense struggled in the first half against the Wildcats. Buy Wolverines gear: Fanatics, Nike, Amazon, LidsBuy Wolverines tickets: StubHub, SeatGeek, TicketmasterStream Wolverines games live: fuboTV, ESPN+, Sling

Blake Corum and Hassan Haskins combined for 229 yards rushing and four touchdowns, carrying No. 6 Michigan to a 33-7 win over Northwestern.

Mel Tucker took over a downtrodden Michigan State program before a pandemic-shortened 2020 season. For a variety of reasons, it was one to forget in East Lansing.

Michigan football enjoyed a stress-free bye this weekend, but hopefully the players and coaches were paying attention to what happened around the Big Ten.

Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson hasn’t had any trouble adjusting to a new defensive scheme this season. “A two-time captain at Michigan, Hutchinson is leading a revived defense that has helped the Wolverines get off to a 6-0 start,” ESPN.com’s Mark Schlabach wrote. “A senior from Plymouth, Michigan, Hutchinson is ninth in the FBS with 5.5 sacks. 8 Michigan has frequently mixed up its fronts this season, and Hutchinson has primarily been rushing out of a two-point stance. “(He’s) hungry for greatness, hungry to match his potential,” Michigan defensive line coach Shaun Nua said on Sept. 29.

Ninth-ranked Michigan looks to keep its roll going with a defense yet to give up more than 17 points and the confidence it can achieve championship goals after falling short in previous seasons under Jim Harbaugh.

Here are Michigan’s defensive starters and where they were ranked as prep prospects, according to 247Sports’ Composite system. RELATED: Where Michigan’s offensive starters ranked as prospectsDefensive end: Aidan Hutchinson – The Dearborn Divine Child four-star was Michigan’s top-ranked recruit in the 2018 class at No. 31 overall prospect, was a U.S. Army All-American and finished his senior season with 6 1 ½ sacks. The Rochester Adams product originally committed to Missouri and racked up 28 overall offers. He was a four-star recruit ranked No.

Meanwhile, last week, ESPN’s Mel Kiper ranked Hutchinson as the No. “He’s a tremendous competitor, he’s wired right, he loves to compete. That guy, man, you can’t say enough things about Aidan Hutchinson. But the former Dearborn Divine Child graduate is healthy again in 2021 and is leading Michigan’s revamped defense under new coordinator Mike Macdonald. He’s a great teammate, he’s a great leader.

PFF grades every player on every play in multiple facets of the game, such as passing, rushing, receiving, pass blocking, run defense, etc. With that in mind, here are three takeaways from PFF’s grades of Michigan’s win over Wisconsin. Meanwhile, Michigan’s defense arguably had its best game of the year, holding Wisconsin to 210 yards and forcing seven three-and-outs. Hutchinson and Ojabo received the two highest grades on Michigan’s defense against Rutgers and replicated that against Wisconsin, earning a 90.2 and 89.9, respectively. Stueber was Michigan’s most experienced lineman heading into this season, and he has been playing like it through five games.

Aidan Hutchinson is off to a fast start in the 2021 season, and outside observers with their pulse on the NFL are taking notice. ESPN’s Mel Kiper unveiled his latest list of the top 25 prospects for the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, moving Michigan’s star defensive end up to No 5. More: Cade McNamara’s start: The good, the bad and outside factors impacting the Michigan QBThrough four games, Hutchinson has lived up to that billing. Hutchinson currently leads Michigan’s defensive line with 15 tackles and two quarterback hurries in his new edge-rushing role in coordinator Mike Macdonald’s defense. On Wednesday, Michigan defensive line coach Shaun Nua described Hutchinson as “someone who’s very, very hungry.

Not only has first-year Michigan defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald brought a new scheme to the Wolverines, but he appears to have a different philosophy as well. Through the first two games, 19 players have played more than 25 defensive snaps, and 23 guys have played more than 15. “Focusing on keeping us fresh is definitely the bigger focus,” sophomore defensive lineman Kris Jenkins said. “We have a really great defensive line system going and we have a lot of guys ready to go. Great job by our offense.”Buy Wolverines gear: Fanatics, Nike, Amazon, LidsBuy Wolverines tickets: StubHub, SeatGeek, TicketmasterStream Wolverines games live: fuboTV, ESPN+, Sling

Michigan’s football team already has equaled its win total from 2020 by downing Washington 31-10 Saturday to improve to 2-0. PFF grades every player on every play in multiple facets of the game, such as passing, rushing, receiving, pass blocking, run defense, etc. However, Michigan’s perimeter blocking by the receivers really hurt its overall grade. No receiver had a run blocking grade above 60, while two – Roman Wilson and Mike Sainristil – each were under 50, which is well-below average. Winning the game, going throw-for-throw with those guys, we didn’t think was the best formula to win the football game.

Instead, the Wolverines won the line of scrimmage and held the visiting Huskies to just 50 rushing yards on 32 carries. Their 1.6-yards-per-carry average was the fewest allowed by the Michigan defense since October 2019, in another night game against a marquee non-conference opponent, Notre Dame. Perhaps most impressive, Harbaugh said, was his team’s ability to counter most of what Washington was throwing at it. “We got hit on some passes in the game,” Harbaugh conceded. “Getting that communicated and getting that improved, I think there’s still improvement to be had there.

ANN ARBOR – Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson arguably had the toughest assignment of any defensive player Saturday against Washington, often lining up against Huskies all-Pac-12 left tackle Jaxson Kirkland. The Wolverines’ standout defensive end got the best of Kirkland for most of the night, regularly getting pressure on Washington quarterback Dylan Morris in a 31-10 victory at Michigan Stadium. Hutchinson finished with 2 ½ sacks, with 1 ½ coming against Kirkland, a projected first-round pick. “They were throwing quick game because they couldn’t block Aidan,” Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh said. “We’ve been watching Aidan in fall camp, and we couldn’t block him either.”RELATED: Michigan stock report: Defense impressive, but is offensive play-calling a concern?

Michigan is 2-0 after picking up a pivotal 31-10 win over Washington on Saturday in front of a maize out crowd at Michigan Stadium. Meanwhile, the unit also bottled up Washington’s run game, holding it to 50 yards on the ground on 32 attempts. Michigan relied heavily on its run game but didn’t have much success when it put the ball in the redshirt sophomore’s hands. The loss of Ronnie Bell obviously hurts and Michigan’s run game was effective moving forward, but the team needs more out of the group moving forward. The run game was effective but it also was clear it didn’t have much confidence in McNamara or the team’s receivers.

Chaos reigned supreme on Saturday in Michigan’s 47-14 win over Western Michigan, a game in which the Wolverines flashed multiple different looks, fronts and coverages under their first-year defensive coordinator. “We needed to show some different looks; we needed to disguise some coverages. With Macdonald, a former assistant coach with the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens, disguises and different looks were the name of the game. Instead, Michigan now has to worry about opponents over the middle — an area Western Michigan took advantage of early. Western Michigan had very little film to work with ahead of time — giving Michigan an inherent advantage with its defense.

Jim Harbaugh is thrilled and perhaps relieved to still be coaching at Michigan for a seventh season, a year after winning two games.

Wisconsin wide receiver Chimere Dike (13) gets away from Michigan defensive back Vincent Gray (4) during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020. 13 Wisconsin build a big lead in a 49-11 rout of Michigan on Saturday night. “It was great to get back to playing.”The Wolverines (1-3) fell behind 28-0 at halftime, their largest deficit at home since the Big House opened in 1927, and are off to their worst start since 1967. The team announced that 10 players would not be available to play at Michigan, but didn't say why they were out of the lineup. POLL IMPLICATIONSThe Badgers might up a little after slipping in the two weeks they were idle after rising to No.

The 13th-ranked Badgers are set to play at Michigan on Saturday night, three weeks after their season-opening win. Wisconsin has been idle because it canceled two games due to a COVID-19 outbreak within the program. “It’s been kind of weird and sad a little bit, not being able to play," Badgers receiver Kendric Pryor said. The Badgers bounced back well enough with testing results that athletic director Barry Alvarez announced Monday the team would be back on the field against the Wolverines (1-2, 1-2), confident that the coronavirus outbreak has been handled. Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz, who tested positive for COVID-19 on Oct. 24, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, might play at Michigan.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – There are 25 players on the Michigan football roster who received scholarship offers from Minnesota during their recruiting processes. TE Erick AllRecruiting profile: 4-star, No. OL Karsen BarnhartRecruiting profile: 4-star, No. HenningRecruiting profile: 4-star, No. DL Luiji VilainRecruiting profile: 4-star, No.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Michigan has been good, not great, under coach Jim Harbaugh. Michigan defensive end Kwity Paye said the team is under the radar and has taken a lot of punches from people. Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel has said more than once that he wants Harbaugh to lead the Wolverines until he chooses to retire from coaching. Heading into his sixth season, though, Harbaugh has just two years left on a deal that pays him about $7 million per season. The Wolverines host rival Michigan State and its new coach, Mel Tucker, in their second game.

Michigan has often been ranked among the top five or 10 teams in the country, and that’s thanks to strong defensive performances. Kwity Paye #19 of the Michigan Wolverines tries to sack Peyton Ramsey #12 of the Indiana Hoosiers at Michigan Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. According to Harbaugh, they’ve only gotten better this offseason, and if Michigan can get some help from the defensive tackles, it’ll make their jobs even easier. READ: Defensive line is X-factor for Michigan against quarterback-loaded scheduleWith a less experienced secondary -- particularly at cornerback -- Hutchinson and Paye will be more important than ever. Defensive tacklesStarters: Carlo Kemp and Chris HintonConfidence: 100% and 95%Kemp will be one of the starters at defensive tackle -- that’s a slam dunk.

As a potential first-round draft pick, Mayfield certainly belongs in Michigan’s MVP conversation, even though he won’t stuff any stat sheets as an O-lineman. Even if he doesn’t ultimately win team MVP, Mayfield could end up being the most important player. LB Cam McGroneCameron McGrone #44 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates a fourth quarter sack against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Michigan Stadium on October 05, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. DE Kwity PayeKwity Paye #19 of the Michigan Wolverines tries to sack Peyton Ramsey #12 of the Indiana Hoosiers at Michigan Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Then they would both be candidates for team MVP.

Unfortunately, the defensive line wasn’t a strength for Michigan a year ago. Even though the schedule is shorter this season, Michigan won’t avoid the best quarterbacks in the Big Ten. Look no further than the 2019 recruiting class to find the X-factors for this defensive line. Beyond Hinton and Smith, the rest of the defensive line depth is hard to project. Beyond Hutchinson and Paye, the defensive line could very well be a weakness for Michigan, and that would be a crippling blow to a young defense.

That means Michigan's best player could come from just about anywhere. Last season, Devin Bush, Chase Winovich and David Long were clearly among the team's best players. There's no guarantee Runyan will even be the best player on Michigan's veteran offensive line, but whoever is will be in consideration for the team's best player. By the end of the year, it wouldn't be a surprise if he's one of the team's best defenders. DE Aidan HutchinsonLast season: 15 tackles, 1.5 tackles for lossIf Paye doesn't end up as Michigan's best edge rusher, it might be Aidan Hutchinson.

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh leaves the field after a 42-21 win over Maryland on Oct. 6, 2018, at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor. Carlo Kemp celebrates a win over Michigan State at Spartan Stadium on Oct. 20, 2018 in East Lansing. Josh Ross tackles Avery Davis of Notre Dame at Notre Dame Stadium on Sept. 1, 2018, in South Bend, Indiana. Redshirt freshmenMichigan's 2018 recruiting class was ranked outside the top 20 in the nation, but there were a handful of four-star recruits who could step into bigger roles this season. 5 player from the state of Michigan in 2017 and has appeared in 17 games his first two seasons.