GEMON GREEN

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.

Running back Blake Corum and corner Gemon Green are both available to play for the eighth-ranked Wolverines against Maryland (3:30 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network), a team spokesman confirmed to MLive. The spokesman declined to provide a status on Corum, only saying “stay tuned.”If Corum does play, it would give Michigan’s rushing attack a boost. The Marshall, Va., native who played his prep ball in Baltimore has 778 rushing yards, 137 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns this season. Green also appeared in a reserve role against Michigan State and IU.

Michigan coughed up a 16-point second-half lead and dropped a closely contested game, with some controversy, to in-state rival Michigan State. But for those goals to remain intact, a win on Saturday at Penn State (Noon, ABC) is a must. With the game less than 24 hours away, here are four key questions facing Michigan. More: Michigan vs. Penn State — score predictions from MLive’s beat writers3. Last year, amid struggles in the secondary, Michigan did a great job of limiting Penn State receiver Jahan Dotson.

That two-way street of communication spilled into spring and has continued into late-October, where the Wolverines take a 6-0 start and No. And while there have been hiccups, players say the coaching staff has worked through it with them. Players say they watch film from the previous day’s practice or previous week’s game and provide feedback to the coaches. But so far, Michigan’s defense has been a surprise strength of the team. More: ‘Leveled up’ defensive line has turned into a strength for Michigan football“This is their defense,” defensive backs coach Steve Clinkscale said.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Last November, two days after Michigan’s football team suffered a 38-point home loss to Wisconsin, Gemon Green had to face the media. They were struggling in man-to-man coverage and gave up more than 300 yards passing in back-to-back games against Michigan State and Indiana. But it was the loss to Penn State on Nov. 28, six games into a miserable season for Michigan, in which Green believes he really turned a corner. Last fall was the first time he had lined up in the secondary in an actual football game in three years. “We gave up a couple of fade balls at the beginning (of last season), so they tried to throw shots on me and Vince early on and throughout the season,” Green said.

With Michigan set to begin preseason camp on Friday, much of the discussion remains centered around the defense. Michigan State first exposed those deficiencies in a Week 2 upset win in Ann Arbor, then Indiana followed up a week later. But with both players, Vincent Gray and Gemon Green, back and several underclassmen waiting in the wing — opportunities will be had during the month of August. Meanwhile, on the other side, Gray — the senior and most experienced player of the group — is locked in a battle with the emerging D.J. Turner has emerged as a real threat to Vincent Gray’s starting spot.

But Michigan was able to take away the deep go and post routes that have plagued them for much of this season. Redshirt sophomore Gemon Green received the highest coverage grade of any Wolverines player all season, an impressive 90.2 mark out of 100 from Pro Football Focus. “Gemon Green had a very good game and was particularly good in man-to-man coverage,” Harbaugh told reporters Monday. “Good to see that progress made there,” Harbaugh said on Monday’s “Inside Michigan Football” radio show. “Coverage was much improved.”But overall, the defense remains a work in progress.

Michigan’s secondary has struggled in one-on-one man coverage this season, giving up more pass plays of between 20 and 30 yards than any other Big Ten team. The Wolverines' defensive backs remain a penalized bunch, earning 10 flags for pass interference or holding in their first four games. Combined, Hill and Green have combined for five, or half, the penalties against the secondary. “For whatever reason, we’ve had officials at our practices — and there weren’t many flags,” Zordich said. Michigan’s secondary drew three flags in a loss to Indiana — including one against safety Brad Hawkins — and two in the 49-11 rout to No.

Wisconsin 49, Michigan 119:36 – Michigan drive start on own 25That Cade McNamara efficiency from the first drive faded quickly. Wisconsin 35, Michigan 39:04 – Michigan drive starts on own 4The Wolverines went three-and-out deep in their own territory. Wisconsin 28, Michigan 312:52 – Wisconsin drive starts on own 25Michigan had another takeaway overturned upon review. Wisconsin 28, Michigan 010:07 – Michigan drive starts on own 25It was still ugly at times, but Michigan found the end zone for the first time tonight. Wisconsin 21, Michigan 0FIRST QUARTER4:30 – Wisconsin drive starts on own 40Michigan has had no answer for Wisconsin’s jet sweeps.

Michigan’s secondary coach says his group of cornerbacks is “going through a slump” but vowed “to get it fixed” in his first interview since the start of the 2020 season. “We’re going to get it fixed,” Zordich said. That number was really impacted by the last two weeks, when the Wolverines surrendered big yards in losses to Michigan State (323) and Indiana (342). Both teams made it a point to attack Michigan’s starting cornerbacks, Vincent Gray and Gemon Green — throwing the football early when they showed man coverage. “The crazy thing is, all four of those is he was bad at the line of scrimmage,” Zordich said.

— Jim Harbaugh issued a public vote of confidence for his coaching staff and players on Saturday, even as Michigan football team dropped its second straight game in similar fashion. For the second straight week, an opponent took to the air early and often and had a career day doing it. Both Penix and Fryfogle recorded career days, like Michigan State receiver Ricky White had last week. (Then) they get that confidence.”Like last week, defensive coordinator Don Brown did his best to curb the attack. Asked about Don Brown, whose pressure-oriented defense doesn’t look so fast and effective these days, Harbaugh says he still has confidence in his 65-year-old defensive coordinator.

4:23 – Michigan drive starts on own 25Another costly penalty derailed a promising Wolverines drive. MSU 20, Michigan 178:00 – MSU drive starts on own 21Michigan standout defensive end Kwity Paye was injured on the drive. MSU 20, Michigan 1712:26 – Michigan drive starts on own 25The Wolverines' talented freshmen were heavily featured on the 11-play touchdown drive. MSU 17, Michigan 1015:00 – Michigan drive starts on own 29Rough drive for the Wolverines to open the second half. STORY: Daxton Hill, Nick Eubanks in uniform for Michigan vs. MSU- MSU WR Tre Mosley is in uniform.

Michigan defensive coordinator Don Brown stuck to his principles in Saturday’s opener against Minnesota, despite starting two inexperienced cornerbacks. “I thought Vincent played really well, graded out really well,” Harbaugh said in a video conference call with reporters. But outside of that completion, Minnesota quarterback Tanner Morgan didn’t look Gray’s way very often. “I just feel like, with the way our defensive line is playing, the quarterback is just not putting the ball out there,” Gray said. Reed had to sit out last season after transferring from Western Michigan, but he’s expected to be the Spartans' No.

Michigan 49, Minnesota 242:49 -- Michigan drive starts on Minnesota 30Redshirt freshman Cade McNamara replaced Joe Milton at quarterback. Michigan 49, Minnesota 243:37 -- Minnesota drive starts on own 20On the second play of the drive, linebacker Josh Ross picked of Tanner Morgan. Michigan 7, Minnesota 712:43 -- Michigan drive starts on own 30Well, it only took one play for Michigan to answer. Michigan 7, Minnesota 712:02 -- Minnesota drive starts on Michigan 17The Golden Gophers started with great field position after the blocked punt and took advantage. Minnesota 7, Michigan 015:00 -- Michigan drive starts on own 30As expected, redshirt sophomore Joe Milton starts at quarterback.

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.

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.

Every single recruiting class is important, and the Wolverines have reached the point where the 2018 class -- by far Harbaugh’s most criticized group -- has to make major contributions. Remembering the 2018 recruiting cycleThe 2018 class was recruited amid Michigan’s worst season of the Harbaugh era. The result was Michigan’s only full recruiting class to be ranked outside the top 20 since Harbaugh took over. Michigan’s recruiting has since rebounded, but that 2018 unit will play a major role in the coming seasons. 18 in MissouriRole: Guaranteed starterNobody better exemplifies the 2018 class than Bell, and everyone who follows Michigan football knows his story.

Last week, just as Michigan’s football team was getting ready to put on the pads, Don Brown acknowledged the need to find a second starting cornerback. Brown, Michigan’s defensive coordinator, on Monday revealed the early frontrunner during an interview on the “Inside Michigan Football” radio show. “I would say he’s probably the leader in the clubhouse right now.”Green, a redshirt sophomore from DeSoto, Texas, appeared in 11 games last season. More: Aidan Hutchinson aims to be Michigan’s ‘matchup nightmare’But the 6-foot-2, 181-pound Green has the early lead over D.J. “If I had to pick one guy up front that I’m excited about, it’s this Julius Welschof,” Brown said.