Cleveland, OH
What has changed with Michigan football in the 6 months since the 45-23 win over Ohio State?
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Six months drag by when you’re waiting for revenge, but the Ohio State football team has made it halfway to its next chance to reset the scoreboard against Michigan.
During that period, the Wolverines have flexed their continuity. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy returns for his junior season. UM retained star running backs Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards, too.
But while most of the main characters remain, the Wolverines still have new faces at several crucial positions on their roster and coaching staff this season. And in celebration of “Maychigan Week” — a May halfway look at the Ohio State vs. Michigan rivalry — cleveland.com is dissecting how those changes could UM’s quest for a third straight win over Ohio State.
What’s changed:
Related “Maychigan Week” stories
Sherrone Moore’s big break comes at a crucial point in Michigan’s trajectory.Neil Blake | MLive.com
Moore shared play-calling duties last season with former quarterbacks coach Matt Weiss, who was fired with cause in January for committing “computer access crimes” that are still under investigation.
Now Moore owns that responsibility alone for the first time in his career at a critical moment in Michigan’s trajectory. The 2023 Wolverines could be the best team Jim Harbaugh has ever coached. They could have legitimate national title aspirations, if Moore helps quarterback J.J. McCarthy make the necessary leap.
Every national champion of the last five seasons has started a quarterback that ranked top-12 in passer rating. McCarthy ranked 22nd last year with a 154.97 rating. Stetson Bennett of two-time national champion Georgia ranked 11th at 161.19, and he was even better the year before (176.69, fourth).
If numbers aren’t your thing, try this anecdotal comparison: Bennett played a great game against Ohio State. McCarthy played a good half – the second – against TCU, but his bad first half cost Michigan a national championship appearance.
Now McCarthy can call that loss a learning experience. His teammates say he looks surgical in spring practice. And he still has all-world running backs Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards to back him up.
McCarthy has the seasoning, and Michigan’s roster has the meat to vault the quarterback’s game into elite company. It’s Moore’s job to mix the ingredients properly.
Quarterback coach Kirk Campbell, a first-time Power Five assistant, is entrusted with one of the nation’s most important position groups.Neil Blake | MLive.com
It’s also Campbell’s job to help, in his first season as a Power Five assistant. Quite a departure from Weiss, who worked 11 seasons with the Baltimore Ravens before arriving at Michigan in 2021.
Campbell spent three seasons as an offensive analyst at Penn State (2017-2019) and one more (last year) in the same role at Michigan. Now the former offensive coordinator at Old Dominion and Alderson Broaddus University (Pa.) will direct one of college football’s most important position groups.
McCarthy doesn’t need guard rails after leading the highest-scoring Michigan offense since at least 2009. And during UM’s spring practice, McCarthy described Campbell as a pass-game “wizard” who has already forged strong relationships with players.
“When you can have that relationship with a coach, it can push through so many limitations and exceed expectations with my growth and his,” McCarthy said.
Sounds good. Michigan’s numbers from last year look good. And the six starters who return from last season suggest that the Wolverines needn’t change much. But their quest for a national title largely hinges on whether McCarthy can improve from a good quarterback to a great one. And the man in charge of that growth is a 37-year-old who has never shouldered so much responsibility.
No pressure, rookie.
Michigan linebacker Ernest Hausmann started seven games at Nebraska last season.Neil Blake | MLive.com
Michigan welcomed eight transfers in 2023, which is one more than it signed in the first two seasons of the new one-time transfer era combined (seven). Specifically, it targeted players with Power Five playing experience.
Linebacker Ernest Hausmann, the portal’s second-best prospect, per 247Sports.com, played in 12 games (seven starts) at Nebraska last season.
Tight end A.J. Barner started 10 games (and was voted captain) at Indiana. Guard LaDarius Henderson started 13 games at Arizona State.
Center Drake Nugent started 24 games at center for Stanford, and tackle Myles Hinton, a former five-star recruit, started seven games alongside Nugent last season. See a trend?
UM wants ready-made talent from the portal. The only non-Power Five transfer it added was Coastal Carolina edge rusher Josaiah Stewart, who totaled 16.5 sacks and 26 tackles for loss over two seasons in the Sun Belt. At 230 pounds, he seems undersized for the Big Ten, but the Wolverines bet on his production. Just like they did with the rest of its portal class.
These players might not log the same snap counts at Michigan as they did at their previous stops, but UM knows they’r capable, which adds depth to a roster that already returns 13 starters.
Former Michigan offensive lineman Ryan Hayes was a reliable presence at left tackle for two seasons. Who fills Hayes’ void? AP
Moore believes this is the deepest line he’s coached at Michigan, which is saying something considering Michigan has won the Joe Moore Award – might as well re-name it after Sherrone — for having the nation’s best offensive line two years running.
But the fact remains that this year’s line must replace starters at two crucial positions. Olusegun Oluwatimi, who won the 2022 Remington Trophy awarded to the nation’s best center, was a smashing transfer success story last year. Can Nugent, who PFF graded better than Oluwatimi last season, find similar success?
And who will protect McCarthy’s blind side? Left tackle Ryan Hayes served that role in 26 of 28 games since 2021, when Moore began coaching UM’s offensive line. Karsen Barnhart filled Hayes’ absence during last season’s opener against Colorado State. Trente Jones started six games at right tackle before suffering an injury and losing the job to Barnhart. And transfers Hinton (Stanford) and Henderson (Arizona State) both have experience at left tackle from their Pac-12 days.
Moore has plenty of options. His challenge is finding the right combination. But given his track record the last few seasons, Michigan can bet on another strong offensive line in 2023.
Michigan receiver Cornelius Johnson caught four passes for a career-high 160 yards and a career-high two touchdowns against Ohio State last November.AP
Ronnie Bell led the Wolverines with 62 catches last season, nearly double the second-highest total among UM receivers (Cornelius Johnson, 32). If Michigan wants a more reliable pass game in 2023, it’ll need reliable targets.
Johnson and Roman Wilson return 64 games of experience between them, but neither has caught more than 40 passes or totaled more than 650 yards in a season during their career.
Sounds like a half-season’s work for Buckeye wideout Marvin Harrison Jr., who caught 77 passes for 1,263 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2022, his first season as a starter. In 2022, Harrison and Emeka Egbuka became the second pair of OSU receivers to tally 1,000 yards in the same season.
Michigan hasn’t produced a 1,000-yard receiver since 2013 (Jeremy Gallon).
That isn’t the goal of UM’s punishing, run-first offense, which has catalyzed two straight wins in the rivalry. But at some point, Michigan might have to play at Ohio State’s pace to win one of these matchups. And in that scenario, the Wolverines need receivers wcan post big numbers in high volume.
Is Johnson’s four-catch, 160-yard performance against the Buckeyes last November replicable? Can it be improved upon? And can someone else produce it?
COLUMBUS, OH – NOVEMBER 26: Michigan Wolverines tight end Colston Loveland (18) fights thru the tackle of Ohio State Buckeyes safety Lathan Ransom (12) to score on a 45-yard touchdown pass during the third quarter of last season’s game.Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Tight end Luke Schoonmaker had the lowest drop percentage (5.5%) on Michigan’s roster and ranked second in catches and first-down catches (behind Bell) last season. Now he’s a Dallas Cowboy, and McCarthy must rebuild that trust with sophomore Colson Loveland.
Loveland earned plenty during his true freshman season, during which he caught 16 passes for 235 yards and two touchdowns, including a 45-yarder that put UM ahead for good at Ohio Stadium. But PFF graded him as a subpar run-blocker in 223 snaps. And Michigan added Indiana transfer A.J. Barner, a senior, this offseason.
Michigan doesn’t want to telegraph its run-pass palate by personnel, and its run-first attack requires pass-catchers to move bodies. That’s the trust that Loveland still needs to earn.
Michigan DB DJ Turner, the fastest player in Michigan’s secondary a season ago, has moved on to the NFL.David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com
Michigan lost its fastest cornerback (D.J. Turner) and its most experienced one (fifth-year senior Germon Green) in the same offseason, leaving an important vacancy across from sophomore cornerback Will Johnson, who starred in his freshman season.
Mike Sainristil proved himself a quality defender – Big Ten honorable mention-quality — after switching positions from wide receiver to nickel back last season, but Michigan may ask him to move again if it can’t find another option outside.
And the Wolverines already asked Amorion Walker to move from receiver to cornerback (a la Sainristil) in hopes that Walker could fill the starting vacancy.
Harbaugh called Walker an athletic “unicorn” this offseason when explaining the switch, which could help fill the void left by Turner, who ran a 4.26-second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine and was drafted by the Bengals in the second round. But if Walker isn’t ready, Michigan may move Sainristil, which might force other secondary shuffling to fill Sainristil’s void at nickel.
Six months out, this position turnover looks like one to watch for the pass-happy Buckeyes, who are once again stacked at wide receiver.
Michigan Wolverines place kicker Jake Moody won the 2022 Lou Groza Award for the nation’s best kicker.
The Plain Dealer
Specialists haven’t played significant roles during the last four OSU-Michigan games, all of which have been blowouts and/or shootouts. But the Wolverines must replace last year’s Lou Groza Award winner for the nation’s best kicker (Jake Moody) and a Ray Guy Award semifinalist for the nation’s best punter (Brad Robbins) in the same offseason.
Michigan plucked Louisville kicker James Turner, who made 80.7% of his kicks in three years as an ACC starter, out of the portal. Turner ranked 12th nationally in field goal accuracy last season (90.9%), but he’s only 1-of-6 from 50-plus yards in his career. Not quite the same weapon as Moody, who made 4-of-8 kicks from that distance during his career (though Moody made three of those kicks last season as a fifth-year senior).
Tommy Doman, who looks like the frontrunner to replace Robbins, has kicked two game punts in two seasons since graduating from Orchard Lake St. Mary’s Prep (Mich.) in 2021. He did average 44.8 yards per punt as a high school senior, though. And it’s not like Michigan has ever had a high-profile punting mishap.
One more thing: A.J. Henning, UM’s primary punt and kick returner from last season, transferred to Northwestern earlier this month. Wilson, who returned five kicks for 114 yards (22.8 average) is the logical replacement there.
If you or a loved one has questions and needs to talk to a professional about gambling, call the Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-589-9966 or the National Council on Program Gambling Helpline (NCPG) at 1-800-522-4700 or visit 1800gambler.net for more information. 21+ and present in Ohio. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.
Cleveland, OH
City launches ‘Cleveland Moves’ initiative, seeks public input on 5-year transportation plan
CLEVELAND, Ohio — The city of Cleveland is seeking public input and engagement on its ambitious five-year transportation initiative that aims to enhance the safety, comfort and convenience of walking, biking and using public transit across the city.
In a news release Friday, the city said it hopes to harness the feedback and build upon the multimodal transportation plan, dubbed “Cleveland Moves,” which includes five key components:
Two powerhouse contenders are squaring off this weekend in Cleveland, part of a massive four-game series that is going to help answer some questions about what we may see come October. The Baltimore Orioles and Cleveland Guardians are well in contention for a championship and it takes center stage all weekend long.
The Orioles continue a titanic battle in the American League East with the Yankees at 65-45, while the Guardians continue to shine with a current league-best 66-42 record. Both teams have surprisingly impressed this season, especially the young but mighty Guardians. Here’s how to play this Friday matchup.
Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook
Run Line:
Moneyline:
Total:
Colton Cowser: Part of the rich youth pool of talent, the Orioles may have found a true gem with Colton Cowser. The 24-year-old left fielder has extended his active hitting streak to 14 games, recording one in each game since the all-star break. His average has increased from .219 to .247 in that span, along with 4 home runs and 13 RBI. His hitting streak is tied for the 2nd most active one in all of the MLB, behind Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (14) and Ezequial Tovar (17). Cowser is making 2024 a memorable inaugural full season.
Jose Ramirez: There may not be anyone hitting the ball better right now across all of the MLB like Guardians slugger Jose Ramirez. He opened this series on Thursday with a 2-run blast, marking his 3rd consecutive game with a home run. Ramirez has a ridiculous ledger of 3 home runs and 8 RBI in his previous three games. His 28 home runs and 90 RBI this season place him in the top 10 across all players. He continues to provide the power on this feisty, young team. Ramirez is the offensive spark the Guardians must turn to in their run to the postseason.
This is an exciting change of pace to the normal juggernauts that we have seen through the years in baseball. While we don’t quite know if these two will be near the top of the standings in October, all that matters is that both are positioning themselves for it. A pair of unlikely division leaders are battling for a little summer glory in Cleveland.
Dean Kremer takes the hill for the Orioles on Friday. A lot of uncertainty surrounds this start as he’s amassed mixed results for much of 2024. Currently at 4-7 with a 4.20 ERA, 73 strikeouts and 14 home runs allowed, it hasn’t been pretty but at least is passable. Kremer anchors the No. 4 spot in this rotation and has yet to find much consistency. Last time out on Saturday against San Diego, he tossed 6 innings, allowing 4 runs (1 earned), 7 hits, a walk and 7 strikeouts. The Orioles have not provided him the best run support lately, with the team being 2-5 in his last seven outings.
Carlos Carrasco holds the fort down for the Guardians in this one. It’s been a lackluster season with a 3-9 record, a 5.68 ERA and 79 strikeouts. The month of July was very unkind to him, allowing 19 earned runs and 6 home runs across a total of five starts. Carrasco additionally has allowed 6 runs in each of his prior two outings. He is currently 20th in all of the MLB in home runs allowed (17), but a lower walk rate with just 27 free passes allowed. The 37-year-old is clearly beginning to hit a decline, and likely will finish his career here where he has so many great memories.
Both teams certainly check a lot of marks offensively and Thursday’s 10-3 Guardians win backed that up. We have another pitching matchup that is not pretty, so it’s absolutely fair to expect a lot of offensive fireworks. The Orioles are superior on paper, ranking 1st in home runs per game, 4th in hits and 3rd in runs.
That’s the way I lean with this prediction. I get the feeling both teams will feed off each other’s energy all weekend long, especially with a lot on the line in this series. I’ll happily back the total to go over 9 runs in Friday’s contest at -115 (FanDuel), especially with a pair of starters that have been less than ideal for most of the year.
Pick: Orioles-Guardians OVER 9 Runs (-115)
Note: Game odds are subject to change.
CLEVELAND, Ohio — There will be plenty of overnight lane closures over the next several weeks for various construction projects in Northeast Ohio.
The Ohio Department of Transportation has released an updated list of lane closures and delays for Cuyahoga County and other regions.
I-90 westbound just east of Columbia Road will be in a bi-directional traffic pattern beginning Tuesday and continuing through September for bridge deck replacement. All lanes of traffic are maintained. However, one lane of westbound traffic will be maintained on the I-90 eastbound side separated by a concrete barrier wall. Two lanes of traffic are maintained on the existing westbound side using a lane shift.
U.S. 422 westbound ramp to I-271 northbound will be closed from 9 p.m. Monday to 5 a.m. Tuesday. The detour is I-480 westbound to Miles Road to I-271 north.
Harvard Road entrance ramp to I-271 north will be closed from 8 p.m. Tuesday to 6 a.m. Wednesday.
Chagrin Road entrance ramp to I-271 north will be closed at 8 p.m. Tuesday until 6 a.m. Wednesday.
Chagrin Road entrance ramp to I-271 south will be closed at 8 p.m. Wednesday until 6 a.m. Thursday.
Westway Drive over I-90 will be closed from Aug. 12 through mid-September for bridge repairs. The detour will utilize Wager Road
I-271 southbound ramp to U.S. 422 eastbound will be closed 8 p.m. Aug. 9 through 6 a.m. Aug. 12 for bridge repairs.
The following closures will be in place each night from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. from Tuesday until Thursday for pavement work.
I-71 northbound to I-480 westbound. The detour is I-480 east to Tiedeman Road to I-480 west.
I-480 westbound to Ohio 237. The detour is Ohio 17 east to Ohio 237.
The following ramps will be closed for resurfacing from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. each night from Aug. 7 to Aug. 11. All ramps will not be closed at the same time.
Ohio 176 north ramp to I-90 east. The detour is I-490 east to I-77 north.
I-90 east ramp to I-71 north. The detour is I-90 east to I-77 north.
I-90 east/I-490 west ramp to I-71 south. The detour is Ohio 176 south to Denison Avenue to Ohio 176 north to West 14th Street to I-71 south.
Ohio 700 just south of Tavern Road has been reduced to one lane maintained by a temporary traffic signal beginning through early September for culvert replacement.
Ohio 91 (SOM Center Road) between U.S. 20 and Ohio 2 has various lane restrictions through mid-September for bridge repairs.
U.S. 6 between Rockefeller Road and Bishop Road will be reduced to westbound traffic only beginning Aug. 10 through early September for resurfacing. The detour for eastbound traffic is Bishop Road to Eddy Road to Rockefeller Road.
Ohio 615 between Andrews Road and Center Street has various nightly lane restrictions between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. through October.
I-277/U.S. 224 westbound between I-76/Kenmore Leg and I-77 will have various lane restrictions beginning Aug. 12.
I-277/U.S. 224 westbound between I-77 and I-76/Kenmore Leg will be closed from Aug. 19 through Aug. 28 for resurfacing. The detour will be I-77 northbound to I-76 westbound to I-76/Kenmore Leg.
Brush Road over Ohio I-77 will be closed beginning Aug. 14 through late August for bridge repairs. The detour is Brecksville Road to Boston Mills Road to Black Road.
Ohio 303 under I-77 will be closed between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. each night beginning Aug. 19 through Aug. 26 for bridge-beam placement. The detour is Brecksville Road to Wheatley Road to I-271.
Ohio 303 eastbound under I-77 will be closed from Aug. 21 through late November for bridge construction. The detour is Brecksville Road to Wheatley Road to I-271.
The ramp from Glenwood Avenue to Ohio 8 southbound will be closed between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily beginning Aug. 19 through late August. The detour is Glenwood Avenue to Howard Street to Tallmadge Avenue.
Environmental coalition threatens lawsuit over black bear baiting in Idaho
In wake of Sonya Massey shooting, call issued for referendum on whether Illinois sheriff should resign
Tyrese Haliburton looking to prove his 2023 dominance wasn’t fluky, believes Indiana Pacers are being glossed over
More northwest Iowa counties approved for FEMA assistance
KU football holds practice at Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City
See it: Tesla crashes into Columbus convention center at 70 mph
Fox News Politics: Georgia the whole day through
Colorado Rockies game no. 116 thread: Zac Gallen vs José Ureña
Death of missing Oregon girl found in stream ruled homicide
At least 2 dead as tornadoes hit Alabama, damage homes across Southeast
GOP senators react to acting Secret Service Director Rowe’s press conference: 'Clearly a cover-up’
Paris Olympics: Crowd jeers Argentina during France quarterfinal
Defense secretary revokes plea deal with accused 9/11 plotters
The Court Filing
Trump federal election interference case sent back to trial court after SCOTUS ruling
-
Mississippi3 days agoMSU, Mississippi Academy of Sciences host summer symposium, USDA’s Tucker honored with Presidential Award
-
World1 week agoTyphoon Gaemi barrels towards China’s Fujian after sinking ship off Taiwan
-
News1 week agoVideo: Biden Says It’s Time to ‘Pass the Torch’ to a New Generation
-
News1 week agoVideo: Kamala Harris May Bring Out Trump’s Harshest Instincts
-
News1 week agoWho Can Achieve the American Dream? Race Matters Less Than It Used To.
-
World5 days ago
More right wing with fewer women – a new Parliament compendium
-
Politics1 week agoHouse unanimously votes to create Trump assassination attempt commission
-
Politics6 days agoRepublicans say Schumer must act on voter proof of citizenship bill if Democrat 'really cares about democracy'