Big Ten Daily (Dec. 22): Blake Corum Calls Michigan 'Top Dog' in College Football Playoff
Just a few days ago, Michigan defensive coordinator Jesse Minter indicated that the Wolverines were heading into the Rose Bowl matchup against Alabama with an "underdog" mentality. Running back Blake Corum doesn't really share that same attitude.
Instead, the senior running back says Michigan is the No. 1 team in the country ... and needs to act like it.
Corum doesn't believe the Wolverines have transitioned into an underdog role just because they're squaring off against Alabama.
“Yeah, they flipped (the narrative) from the jump as soon as they announced we’d be playing Alabama. They flipped it from the jump which is, you know, it’s fine it’s all people’s opinions. We’re going into it like I said last time as the top dog,” Corum said. “We are the No. 1 team in the nation, and we’re going to treat it as such.
“Alabama’s a great team. After watching film, they’re coached really well, the defense flies around, and it will definitely be a challenge that we’re super excited for. We love a good challenge, but we’re still the top dog. That’s how we’re going in.”
Michigan played a relatively weak schedule through the first two months of the 2023 season, bringing some to question how talented the team was this season.
Competition ramped up in the final four weeks, though, defeating No. 10 Penn State, Maryland, No. 2 Ohio State and No. 16 Iowa to finish the year 13-0.
While Michigan has looked like the most dominant team on the field at times this season, there's still some skepticism about how it will translate to the College Football Playoff. After all, this is a team that is 0-2 in its previous two appearances.
Corum says that Alabama getting more attention doesn't provide any additional motivation for the Wolverines entering the Rose Bowl. That 0-2 record, though? That's a different story.
“No motivation purposes I feel for this team, (the narrative) being flipped or not. At the end of the day, it’s a game. We’re already motivated to get over the hump after being there,” said Corum. “It’s our third time, that’s all the motivation we need.”
Harlon Barnett Leaving Michigan State
Harlon Barnett has decided it's time to move on from Michigan State. The defensive backs coach and interim head coach in 2023 told Graham Couch of the Lansing State Journal that it's time to pursue new ventures.
Barnett has spent 20 years with the program in some capacity. He played at Michigan State in the 1980s and returned to the staff in 2007, where he was the defensive backs coach from 2007-17.
After a short run at Florida State (2018-19), he rejoined the Spartans in 2020 as a member of Mel Tucker's staff.
“After 20 football seasons at Michigan State, five as a player, 15 as a coach, my time is up,” Barnett said. “It’s time for me to move on. I’m looking for opportunities at other programs, be it college or the NFL. I’m excited about it. It’s time.”
Barnett served as the team's interim head coach after Tucker's termination. The Spartans finished with a 2-8 record in his 10 games as the leader.
Throughout the course of the season, Barnett expressed serious interest in the head coaching vacancy. However, the athletic department opted to hire Jonathan Smith from Oregon State.
As much as Barnett expressed his love and admiration for Michigan State, that was likely the final sign that it was time to find something different.
Taulia Tagovailoa Opts Out of Bowl Game
The Big Ten's new all-time passing leader has played his final college football game. Maryland coach Mike Locksley announced that Taulia Tagovailoa has opted out of the Terrapins' Music City Bowl matchup against Auburn.
Although we would have liked to watch Tagovailoa take snaps for just one more game, it's an understandable move from the quarterback. And he's ending his Maryland career on a high note.
Tagovailoa led the Big Ten in passing yards and touchdowns in 2023, throwing for 3,377 yards and 25 scores. He completed better than 66% of his passes on the year.
He threw for a season-high 361 yards and three touchdowns in Maryland's 42-24 win over Rutgers to conclude the season.
For his career, Tagovailoa ends with 11,256 yards, 76 touchdown passes and a career completion rate of 67.1% while at Maryland.
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