BIG TEN FOOTBALL

The Michigan Wolverines clinched the Big Ten East and a spot in the Big Ten title game next weekend with a huge win over the Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday in Ann Arbor.

Undefeated Michigan State was upset on the road by the Purdue Boilermakers on Saturday in West Lafayette, handing the Spartans their first loss of the season.

The final score was 32-29.

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh and Nebraska coach Scott Frost will walk tall into their Big Ten Conference matchup Saturday.

The Big Ten formally announced it has made an alliance with the ACC and Pac-12 that will impact non-conference scheduling, future playoff format discussions and more.

Big Ten teams that miss conference games because of COVID will be charged with a forfeit and a loss this season, the conference announced.

Bo Schembechler, who led the team from 1969-89, was vividly told by at least four people that Robert Anderson had molested them during routine physicals or other exams, according to the report commissioned by the university.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines reacts in the second half while playing the Penn State Nittany Lions at Michigan Stadium on November 28, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Michigan football has canceled its final game of the 2020 season against Iowa due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns within the program. The announcement comes two days after the Big Ten matched up the Wolverines and Hawkeyes as part of its “Champions Week” slate. LAST WEEK: Michigan cancels rivalry football game vs. Ohio State due to rising COVID-19 casesIt’s the third straight week Michigan has had to cancel due to the virus. Both the Maryland and Ohio State games were also canceled.

So it’s only fitting that the Big Ten throw some extra salt in the wound, forcing the woefully undermanned Wolverines into the fire with a “Champions Week” matchup against Iowa. The second place team in the East would play the second place team in the West, and so on. Well, Michigan, the sixth place team in the East, will play against Iowa, the No. The Maryland and Ohio State games were both canceled because the Wolverines were without dozens of players due to COVID-19, contact tracing and other injuries. While Ohio State and Northwestern play for the Big Ten title, the rest of the “Champions Week” matchups look like this:

READ: Will Michigan lose to Indiana for first time in 33 years this weekend? If Michigan can take care of the ball and get the running game back on track, it will be able to score on this Indiana defense. Don Brown couldn’t manufacture any pressure against Michigan State, and that was a death knell for the entire defense. Michigan is hoping to get back some players who were injured during the Michigan State game. But the most likely outcome feels like Indiana breaking the 24-game losing streak and beating Michigan for the first time since 1987.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – There’s no sugarcoating it: Last week was a shocking, unmitigated disaster for the Michigan football program. Not only did Michigan lose to Michigan State, it also lost several players to injury during the game. READ: Will Michigan lose to Indiana for first time in 33 years this weekend? What Michigan really needs, more than anything, is to return to the field and get back in the win column. Milton wasn’t terrible against Michigan State, but he missed some throws that really could have opened up the offense.

Indiana last beat Michigan 33 years ago, on Oct. 24, 1987. Zach Charbonnet #24 of the Michigan Wolverines is tackled by Bryant Fitzgerald #31 of the Indiana Hoosiers during the first half at Memorial Stadium on November 23, 2019 in Bloomington, Indiana. It was a comedy of errors, and now, against a 2-0 Indiana team ranked No. Donovan Peoples-Jones #9 of the Michigan Wolverines goes up for a touchdown reception as Tiawan Mullen #3 of the Indiana Hoosiers defends during the first half at Memorial Stadium on November 23, 2019 in Bloomington, Indiana. Everything seems to be crumbling around this Michigan team.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Michigan football has had some truly heartbreaking losses under Jim Harbaugh the last few years, including last weekend’s shocking letdown against Michigan State. Ohio State has won handily each of the last three seasons, and Michigan hasn’t come close to the playoff. Michigan outplayed Michigan State and had victory all but wrapped up. Ohio State in 2018Final score: 62-39Quarterback Shea Patterson throws a pass against Ohio State at Ohio Stadium on Nov. 24, 2018, in Columbus, Ohio. Heck, nobody in the Michigan State fan base expected a win after what happened the previous week against Rutgers.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – There are countless reasons for Michigan football fans to be discouraged after the team’s loss to Michigan State, but here are the six most alarming signs for the future. Ronnie Bell #8 of the Michigan Wolverines fails to receive a pass during the second quarter against the Michigan State Spartans at Michigan Stadium on October 31, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. When that changed Saturday against Michigan State, Milton struggled with accuracy down the field. MORE: Can Michigan salvage season after lifeless loss to Michigan State? Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines looks on during the fourth quarter against the Michigan State Spartans at Michigan Stadium on October 31, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Dominique Long #9 of the Michigan State Spartans misses a tackle on Joe Milton #5 of the Michigan Wolverines during the fourth quarter at Michigan Stadium on October 31, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (2020 Getty Images)The other -- a once-impressive victory against ranked Minnesota -- lost the rest of its luster Friday night. By the way, that same Maryland team lost to Northwestern by 40 points the previous week. Maybe it’s the fact that Michigan hasn’t lost to Indiana since 1987, but that won’t matter when the two teams line up this weekend. Michigan couldn’t handle the praise that came with beating up on Minnesota, and that led to a crushing loss.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Any hope for the Michigan football team to make a splash at the national level was dashed over the weekend in a loss to Michigan State. Anyone who watched Saturday’s in-state rivalry would have thought Michigan State was the team favored to win by three touchdowns. Michigan was expected to handle Michigan State well before it debuted in Minneapolis, though. Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines looks on during the fourth quarter against the Michigan State Spartans at Michigan Stadium on October 31, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (2020 Getty Images)At this point, the only remedy that could heal the wounds opened by this weekend’s loss would be an upset against Ohio State.

Meanwhile, Michigan State lost to Big Ten bottom feeder Rutgers in East Lansing. Nobody outside the Spartan locker room expected Michigan State to beat Michigan, but from the moment the opening whistle blew Saturday, it was Rocky Lombardi who embarrassed the Michigan secondary. Henning #3 of the Michigan Wolverines runs the ball during the first quarter at Michigan Stadium on October 31, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan State always gets up for the Michigan game. It’s the way Michigan lost that’s much more damning than the actual loss itself.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – This has probably been the quietest week leading up to a Michigan vs. Michigan State football game in a decade. Comparing Michigan, Michigan State by position: Do Spartans have advantage anywhere? That’s why I’m picking Michigan to win its third straight against Michigan State this weekend. RIVALRY PREVIEW: Michigan has to avoid overlooking massive underdog Michigan StateI don’t think Michigan takes this rivalry for granted anymore, so Michigan State should have the team’s full attention. Michigan State will improve from last week, and there’s almost no chance it turns the ball over another seven times.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – With Michigan and Michigan State set to square off in Ann Arbor this weekend, we’re breaking down which team is better at every single position. B1G: Wisconsin-Nebraska game canceled this weekend as Badgers report COVID-19 outbreakWhere Michigan truly separates itself from Michigan State is at defensive end, with Kwity Paye and Aidan Hutchinson. ADVANTAGE: MichiganLinebackersAnjuan Simmons was at it again Saturday, leading Michigan State with 11 tackles, including three for losses. Safety is a strength for Michigan and Michigan State, but Hill has by far the highest ceiling. Michigan is recruiting near the top of the Big Ten and Michigan State is trying to reboot under a new regime.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Michigan football is expected to crush Michigan State this weekend, as the current betting line favors the Wolverines by more than three touchdowns. While Michigan dominated a top 25 team in Minnesota, Michigan State turned the ball over seven times in a loss to conference bottom feeder Rutgers. “This game against the school down the road is not just another game, so it’s really special to me,” Tucker said. Tucker said that’s when teams generally show the most improvement, and it’s hard to imagine Michigan State turning the ball over seven times. Michigan crushed Michigan State 44-10 when the two teams met last season at the Big House.

The Wisconsin vs. Nebraska football game this weekend has been canceled as cases of COVID-19 continue to spread throughout the Badgers program. COVID-19 has been a hot topic in Madison as star quarterback Graham Mertz had his positive test confirmed on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the university announced the team will pause all team activities for at least seven days because of the outbreak. “This morning, I received the news that I had tested positive via a PCR test I took yesterday,” Chryst said. Wisconsin-Nebraska is the first Big Ten game to be canceled this year, but with COVID-19 cases continuing to spike around the Midwest, it will certainly be difficult to avoid further interruptions to the shortened season.

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State football coach Mel Tucker tried to avoid saying the name of his in-state rival ahead of their matchup this weekend, calling Michigan “that school up/down the road” four times during his Tuesday press conference. In his first season as Michigan State’s head coach, Tucker is stoking the flames of an already-hot rivalry between the Wolverines and Spartans. You can hear Tucker calling Michigan “the school up/down the road” in the clips beneath each quote. “This game against the school down the road is not just another game, so it’s really special to me," Tucker said. “We know that it’s always a physical game," Tucker said.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – It’s unclear whether Wisconsin will be without star QB Graham Mertz -- and possibly its top three quarterbacks -- when it travels to Ann Arbor in three weeks to play Michigan. Over the weekend, reports emerged that Mertz had tested positive for COVID-19. That first positive test came from an antigen test, and on Tuesday, CBS Sports' Dennis Dodd reported that Mertz tested positive for a second time -- presumably through a polymerase chain reaction test. That would be exactly 21 days from Mertz’s positive test, and according to ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg, he would be allowed to return to action that day. Unfortunately, Wolf has also reportedly tested positive for COVID-19, though he hasn’t had a second positive test confirmed.

Here are some of the most positive takeaways from the performance, as well as a few concerns. On Ben Mason’s touchdown, Milton tossed a little dump-down pass that looked simple enough but gave Mason the corner to get to the pylon. But he also returned a kickoff 66 yards to set up a Michigan touchdown. Michigan didn’t necessarily get better at wide receiver by losing Nico Collins and Donovan Peoples-Jones, but this year’s group has a different look, and it might end up being a net positive. Like Nordin, Hill is expected to return to practice this week after he was removed from the Minnesota game with an undisclosed injury.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Michigan football made plenty of huge plays in its blowout win over Minnesota, but what about the under-the-radar moments that helped Jim Harbaugh’s team maintain control of the game? Upshaw’s tackle ultimately saved Michigan four points, and instead of a tie game, the Wolverines maintained a 14-10 lead. Four plays later, Haskins punched the ball into the end zone to give Michigan an 18-point lead, and the game was virtually over. After coming out with an impressive touchdown drive to get back within 11 points, Minnesota kicked off and forced a fumble during Blake Corum’s return. “There was a ton of hustle plays throughout the game,” Harbaugh said.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Jim Harbaugh said Ben Mason made an impassioned pregame speech before Michigan football’s victory over Minnesota, then went out and backed it up. Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines looks on in the second quarter of the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at TCF Bank Stadium on October 24, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. “Ben was penalized -- and probably rightfully so -- but it was a tremendous block, tremendous, tremendous block on a tremendous player.”Mason was named one of seven team captains for Michigan during the preseason, and before the opener, he had a few words for his teammates. “Ben Mason kind of called up the team pregame ... and what he said was, ‘Joe (Milton), this is your night. Just a tremendous game by Ben Mason."

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Jim Harbaugh provided an update on the injuries to Daxton Hill and Quinn Nordin after Michigan football’s impressive opening victory over Minnesota. Harbaugh was asked Monday about the status of Hill and Nordin ahead of the game against Michigan State. You can see Harbaugh’s full comments on Hill and Nordin in the video above. “Yeah, I anticipate he will be (available to practice this week),” Harbaugh said of Nordin. Michigan State is off to an 0-1 start after falling to Rutgers.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The debut of the 2020 Michigan football team was certainly worth the wait Saturday, as it went into Minneapolis and dominated No. Since Harbaugh returned to Ann Arbor in 2015, Michigan has dominated too many good teams to count on one hand. Sept. 26, 2015: Michigan beats No. Oct. 10, 2015: Michigan beats No. There’s still a long road ahead for this Michigan team.

Michigan and Minnesota haven’t met since 2017, when the Wolverines walloped the Golden Gophers in a weather-delayed, soaking wet night game. Well, I’m about to break down four well-thought-out reasons why Michigan will lose to Minnesota, then I’m going to pick Michigan to win anyway. It’s like Minnesota picked up a “Michigan letdown game” appetizer menu and ordered an entire sampler platter. Michigan offensive coordinator Josh Gattis. At times last season, Michigan struggled to get pressure on the quarterback.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – When Michigan football takes the field Saturday against Minnesota, it will do so against seven players who received scholarship offers from Jim Harbaugh. Meanwhile, three of Minnesota’s best players received Michigan offers. That’s how recruiting works in this era of college football, and it means Michigan likely prioritized each of these players differently. 47 in OhioAccording to 247 Sports, Minnesota and Michigan were the only Power Five schools to extend scholarship offers to Fleming. He also received scholarship offers from Michigan State, Iowa, Northwestern, Purdue and Illinois.

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 and Minnesota both had top-20 football teams last year, but now Jim Harbaugh and P.J. READ: Here’s where 39 Michigan football transfers are playing this seasonAttrition is the theme of every offseason in today’s college football. Both teams are undergoing makeovers this offseason, but it’s pretty clear Michigan is replacing more talent than Minnesota. It’s worth noting that Michigan is inherently going to lose more talent than Minnesota in any given year because of the obvious advantages in recruiting. Michigan is used to replacing NFL talent year-in and year-out, while Minnesota’s 2019 was a bit of a surprise.

We found 39 former Michigan football transfers who have recently left the team and still have college eligibility. Here's where they are playing in 2020.

All rights reserved)ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Mayors from 11 Big Ten cities sent a letter to the conference requesting four additional safety measures be taken ahead of football season. After it was originally postponed until the spring, the Big Ten football season was reinstated last month and will begin this weekend. On Tuesday, 12 mayors -- 11 from Big Ten cities, as well as the mayor of Lansing -- sent a letter to the league requesting a few additional precautions be put in place. Work with local and county health officials to agree on a positivity rate that would make a city unsafe to hold a game. “We know the history of football games within our cities,” the letter says.

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The Minnesota football team will have a “number of players” unavailable against Michigan in the season opener due to COVID-19, according to Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck said Monday he knows current number of players unavailable due to COVID-19 for Saturday’s game vs. Michigan,” Pioneer Press writer Andy Greder tweeted at 11:35 a.m. Monday. News: #Gophers football coach PJ Fleck said Monday he knows current number of players unavailable due to #COVID19 for Saturday's game vs. Michigan, but he's clear he won't be sharing it. 18 Michigan vs. No. Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh said his team doesn’t currently have any players unavailable due to COVID-19.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Michigan football’s starting kicker and punter both returned for another season, but Jim Harbaugh said they’re still battling for starting spots heading into the opener. “(Nordin)'s in a real competitive battle with (Jake) Moody, who’s also doing a really good job, so it’s still playing out,” Harbaugh said. "Both are really good. Harbaugh said both the kicker and punter positions are still up in the air. “We also have two really good punters: Brad Robbins and William Hart.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Michigan football’s secondary is one of the biggest question marks heading into this season, and just five days before the opener, four players are still fighting for a starting cornerback position. When Harbaugh spoke Monday ahead of the team’s opener against Minnesota, he named four players as possibilities to fill that role. Turner are in competition for that spot, as well.”LATEST: Michigan vs. Michigan State will kick off at noon on HalloweenGreen and Faustin were both three-stars in the 2018 recruiting class. Green was a top 400 player at cornerback, but Faustin was just inside the top 600. Since enrolling at Michigan, Faustin has been moved from cornerback to safety, and now back to cornerback.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Joe Milton or Cade McNamara: Who will start at quarterback for Michigan football this weekend? Jim Harbaugh avoided making it official ahead of the opener vs. Minnesota. “He’s playing extremely well.”Most people around the program expect Milton to be Michigan’s starter. LATEST: Michigan vs. Michigan State will kick off at noon on Halloween“Jim, just to clarify, are you saying Joe is going to start at quarterback on Saturday?” Harbaugh was asked during Monday’s press conference. From the outside, McNamara hasn’t been considered a serious contender for the starting job, but Harbaugh has surprised fans at the quarterback position before.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Michigan football has to replace four offensive linemen from last season, and Jim Harbaugh revealed the new starting five during his Monday press conference. Jalen Mayfield and Ryan Hayes will be the starting tackles, which is no surprise since both have prior starting experience. Stueber and Mayfield were in a battle for the starting right tackle spot last August before that injury, and now Stueber has moved inside. LATEST: Michigan vs. Michigan State will kick off at noon on HalloweenFormer walk-on O-lineman Andrew Vastardis will start at center as a fifth-year senior. “He has been the leader on the offensive line for several months, since the season ended, since last year ended,” Harbaugh said.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Michigan football’s star wide receiver, Nico Collins, is “not currently on the team,” head coach Jim Harbaugh revealed Monday. MORE: 12 takeaways from Jim Harbaugh’s press conference“Nico is not participating in football right now, and I don’t have a crystal ball as to if his mind would change or not, but he’s not currently on the team,” Harbaugh said. Michigan wide receiver Nico Collins at the 2018 Outback Bowl between Michigan and South Carolina on Jan. 1, 2018 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. (Mark LoMoglio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)In 2019, Collins 37 passes for 729 yards and seven touchdowns. LATEST: Michigan vs. Michigan State will kick off at noon on HalloweenCollins, at 6-foot-4, was an excellent compliment to Michigan’s growing crop of smaller, faster receivers.

TRANSFER NEWS: Charles Thomas enters transfer portal as future linebacker room gets crowded“They have been through a lot,” Harbaugh said. I feel really good about them in terms of competitiveness, and oneness -- probably the most important thing. “A lot of really good leaders, a lot of guys who are really invested and a lot of guys who really like each other,” Harbaugh said. “(Nordin)'s in a real competitive battle with (Jake) Moody, who’s also doing a really good job, so it’s still playing out,” Harbaugh said. I feel the talent is really good, and I think they’ll all eventually see action, but those are really tight battles."

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Michigan football’s rivalry game against Michigan State will kick off at noon on Halloween. Due to the irregularities created by the pandemic-shortened schedule, the Spartans will be forced to travel to Ann Arbor for the second year in a row. 21 Minnesota, while Michigan State hosts Rutgers. Last season, Michigan defeated Michigan State 44-10 at the Big House, marking the second-straight victory for the Maize and Blue in the rivalry. READ: Which Michigan football jersey number duo will be most valuable this season?

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Michigan football added another elite linebacker recruit to its 2021 class Friday, landing former Florida State commit and top 100 overall player Branden Jennings. 82 overall recruit in the 2021 class. He had 42 official scholarship offers, including from Clemson, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Notre Dame, LSU, Auburn, Texas and Penn State. 7 in the country, behind only Ohio State in the Big Ten. 474 overall player) committed to the 2021 class.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Which pair of Michigan football players who share a jersey number will unite to be the most valuable this season? This year’s roster, with the new rule in place, has 45 duos who will wear the same jersey number. Some of the Michigan jersey number duos contain players who will contribute on different sides of the ball. 1: Both players must wear a jersey number for the entire season for their stats to qualify in favor of said jersey number. Other eligible duosHere are all the other jersey number duos listed on the 2020 Michigan football roster, as of Oct. 16.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – After a long, strange offseason that felt like it would never end, Michigan football is just 10 days away. With 10 days left until the start of the season, here are 10 reasons for Michigan fans to be excited about their team. Joe Milton eraNobody knows if Milton will be successful as Michigan’s starting quarterback, but he sure has all the tools. Road trips to Indiana are never easy, especially in between the Michigan State and Wisconsin games. Fans have waited a long time for Michigan football to return, and as soon as it does, it’ll be pedal to the metal.

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.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The 2020 Michigan football season will kick off with a top 25 matchup under the lights. 24 Minnesota will begin at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 24 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Minnesota is one of four ranked teams on Michigan’s eight-game regular season schedule. One week after the opener against Minnesota, Jim Harbaugh’s team will host in-state rival Michigan State on Halloween. More Michigan football storiesPredictions:Lists:Player profiles:

One of the most important is defensive tackle Chris Hinton. Defensive line outlookIt’s no secret Michigan’s defensive line underperformed a year ago. That was missing against the likes of Wisconsin, Ohio State and Penn State last season. Former Michigan defensive tackle Maurice HurstHinton doesn’t have to be Maurice Hurst, but Michigan needs him to be a threat from the interior of the line. It’s absolutely critical for the defensive line to get pressure without committing too many players to the blitz and compromising coverage downfield.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – How is Michigan football a top 20 team in the country without playing a single game? Of those 70 appearances, Michigan has been ranked in the top 20 a total of 73 times and the top 10 a total of 33 times. It’s littered with the biggest brands in college football, including Texas, Texas A&M, USC, Tennessee and the other obvious powerhouses. Since then, Texas, Texas A&M, UCF, Mississippi State and Oklahoma have all dropped below Michigan because of upset losses. Having two reliable pass rushers on the edges obviously helps Michigan’s defensive perception, even if there might be a weakness in between them.

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.