Stories by Ben Estes
Aided by '13 recruiting class, Borges and Michigan move closer to offense of choice
- Paul Sherman/Daily
BY BEN ESTES
The questions began almost as soon as Brady Hoke was hired as the coach of the Michigan football team more than two years ago: what would Hoke and offensive coordinator Al Borges, who believed in a more traditional style of offense, do with a roster designed for the spread?
Ben Estes: Not quite there
- Erin Kirkland/Daily
BY BEN ESTES
TAMPA, Fla. — Minutes after Dylan Thompson threw what proved to be the game-winning touchdown, once counterpart Devin Gardner’s last-ditch miracle shot fluttered hopelessly to the ground and South Carolina’s Outback Bowl victory was complete, the Gamecock quarterback paced slowly down the field, arms extended toward the sky.
Notebook: Hoke, Spurrier downplay Big Ten-SEC angle
- Erin Kirkland/Daily
BY BEN ESTES
TAMPA, Fla. — The Big Ten has taken more public floggings recently than a 17th-century criminal. As the conference’s football teams have stumbled their way through their seasons in recent years, with mediocrity generally the rule and excellence the exception, it has become a rite of fall and winter for analysts and other conferences’ fan bases to rip the Big Ten for its relative weakness. But on Monday, South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier downplayed that aspect of this year’s Outback Bowl, saying that in his mind it was simply “our 11 guys against their 11 guys.”
Lighthearted as usual, Spurrier preps for close game against Michigan
- Erin Kirkland/Daily
BY BEN ESTES
TAMPA, Fla. — Saturday’s Outback Bowl press conference proved at least one thing: off the field, Michigan coach Brady Hoke and South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier hold the same in job title only.
Michigan headed to Outback Bowl vs. South Carolina
- Erin Kirkland/Daily
BY BEN ESTES
Break out the Bloomin Onions and get the barbie fired up — the Michigan football team is spending New Year’s Day at the Outback Bowl.
Breakdown: Michigan in for a close one in Columbus
BY BEN ESTES
It’s Michigan. It’s Ohio State.
It’s one of the greatest rivalries in sports.
On Saturday, maize and blue will clash with scarlet and gray for the 109th time. There’s plenty on the line, including an undefeated season for the Buckeyes and possibly a Big Ten championship for the Wolverines — or bowl positioning, at least.
Wolverines eager to prepare for Ohio State
- Erin Kirkland/Daily
BY BEN ESTES
All season long, the Michigan football team says that the only game that matters is the one for that week. They’re focusing only on that Saturday’s game, the Wolverines say. Michigan coach Brady Hoke insists that every week is a “championship week,” and that nobody is looking ahead to a future game or behind to a past game.
Block ‘M’ Blog: Big Ten football recap Nov. 19
BY BEN ESTES
It’s Monday.
Visions of turkey, family, friends, the Lions losing and plenty of other things we all associate with Thanksgiving are probably dancing through your heads. (By the way, University, holding classes on Wednesday? What’s wrong with you?)
But before we all head home for break, it’s time to recap the week in Big Ten football.
In Robinson’s return, Gardner has career day at quarterback
- Erin Kirkland/Daily
BY BEN ESTES
All eyes were trained on Denard Robinson as he made his triumphant return to the Michigan Stadium turf in his final appearance before the Wolverine faithful.
But when he trotted out to the tailback spot at the beginning of Saturday’s game against Iowa, stopping a few yards short of his customary place behind center, the focus turned back to junior Devin Gardner.
Behind Enemy Lines: Iowa C James Ferentz
- Erin Kirkland/Daily
BY BEN ESTES
It’s been a bumpy season for Iowa. Beset by injuries at running back and offensive line, including season-ending injuries for left tackle Brandon Scherff and right guard Andrew Donnal, the Hawkeyes have had a disappointing season. That includes quarterback James Vandenberg, who has struggled after emerging as one of the better signal-callers in the conference last season.
