Michigan is officially without two of its best players for The Game.
Michigan tight end Colston Loveland and cornerback Will Johnson are both out for today’s game against Ohio State, according to the team’s status report.
The injuries deprive the Wolverines of their best offensive weapon and their top defensive back, both of whom are projected first-round NFL draft picks.
Johnson, who has been sidelined since suffering a toe injury in Michigan’s October loss to Illinois, was considered by many to be the best cornerback in college football entering the season but has played in only six games due to injury. The Wolverines’ secondary hasn’t been the same without him, ranking 72nd in passing yards allowed per game (222.3) and tied for 39th in yards allowed per passing attempt (6.6).
Loveland, who suffered a shoulder injury last week against Northwestern, has been one of the best tight ends in all of college football this season, catching 56 passes for 582 yards and five touchdowns in 10 games. The loss of the John Mackey Award finalist is one Michigan can ill afford as its passing offense has been one of the worst in the country even with Loveland, who has more than twice as many receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns as any other Wolverine this year.
