Michigan’s first availability report for Iowa brought a mix of the expected and the unsettling as Big Ten play arrives this weekend.
The Wolverines open conference play against the Hawkeyes, who have already handled Northern Illinois and Northern Iowa and needed a game-winning field goal to get past Iowa State. Now Michigan has to sort through its own injury picture before facing the No. 1 ranked defense in the country.
There are six Michigan players listed out for the game, with offensive lineman Andrew Babalola the most notable name on that group. Babalola had a setback before the season, and his timetable remains unclear. The Wolverines would love to get the five-star lineman back as soon as possible.
Three players are listed as questionable: Andrew Sprague, Zeke Berry, and Dom Nichols. Manuel Beigel, the “Rhino” specialist, is listed as doubtful.
Berry’s status may not be as ominous as it looks. Jay Hill said during Wednesday’s press conference that he sounded confident Berry would be back this weekend against Iowa, which suggests Michigan could simply be being careful on the first report for a top-25 matchup.
Nichols and Beigel, though, appear to be newer issues. Michigan has plenty of depth at edge rusher, so the Wolverines can absorb a loss there if needed, but Nichols has been playing like one of the best edge rushers in the country.
That makes his status worth watching. Beigel matters too, especially with how often Jason Beck leans on the rhino package.
Sprague’s situation has been a concern for a little while now. Kyle Whittingham said Monday that his return could be week-to-week, though Michigan was still hoping to get him back soon. Sprague was a late scratch before the UTEP game because of an undisclosed injury, and the Wolverines shifted Blake Frazier to right tackle while Evan Link handled left tackle.
For Michigan, questionable is obviously a better place to be than doubtful or out. Sprague is a key piece of what the Wolverines want to do on the ground and in pass protection for Bryce Underwood, so getting him back would matter. If he’s ready to go, this would be a good week to have him.
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