Bowl eligibility at stake in reunion of Michigan-Northwestern transfers

On By Littum

Ann Arbor – While Michigan fans bask in the much-publicized flip of Belleville quarterback Bryce Underwood from LSU to the Wolverines on Thursday night, there is still a game to be played with bowl eligibility at stake.

The Wolverines (5-5) have their best shot in their last two games at reaching the magic number of six wins on Saturday against Northwestern in the home finale at Michigan Stadium. They are double-digit favorites against the Wildcats. Michigan ends the regular season on Nov. 30 at No. Ohio State. 2.

For Michigan offensive lineman Josh Priebe and Northwestern receiver AJ Henning, this will be a reunion game for each. Priebe transferred from Northwestern, where he made 29 starts before this season. Henning played for the Wolverines in 2021 and 2022 before transferring to Northwestern.

Priebe, the Wolverines’ starting left guard, said he has been looking forward to this game since he arrived in Ann Arbor. He remains close friends with many of the Northwestern players and said it will be a comfortable environment for him on Saturday.

“I just want to have the same mentality that I always have and just try to go out there and play my best game and be as physical and dominant as possible,” Priebe said earlier this week.

Henning is Northwestern’s second-leading receiver with 45 catches for 468 yards and a team-best three receiving touchdowns. The Wildcats offense has been a problem this season, as has Michigan’s. The Wolverines rank 129th in total offense (290.1 ​​yards) and the Wildcats are 130th (284.4 yards). Michigan is slightly better in scoring, ranked 118th (20.4 points) compared to Northwestern at 126th (18 points).

Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore recruited Henning to the Wolverines and said he maintains a strong relationship with him and his family.

“I understand why he moved there and went there,” Moore said. “He’s a dynamic player as he’s always been. It’s different to go over there and see him on the sidelines. I’m sure I’ll give him a big hug before and after the game because he’s an outstanding lad. It’s different and that’s the age of college football we’re in now.”

Moore except to see many of the Michigan players interact with Henning on Saturday.

“When I see him on the field and know the kid, he’s just such an upbeat and happy kid,” Moore said. “I’m sure he’ll hug half the team, guys he knows.”

When Priebe decided to move, David Braun had been elevated to head coach from interim after taking over for fired coach Pat Fitzgerald. There was uncertainty among the rest of the staff, and this caused concern for Priebe.

“You didn’t really know what was going to happen, who he was going to keep, who he was going to hire,” Priebe said. “It was kind of chaotic there at the end trying to figure some of those things out.”

Priebe joked Monday that the defensive players had yet to ask him for tips on the Wildcats.

“They’re all pretty good at doing their own individual film studios,” he said, adding that he assumed there would be some insider talk.

Michigan has a struggling offense in part because of a struggling offensive line. Priebe said he didn’t see this coming, certainly not after Michigan went undefeated in 2023 and won the national title. He said the players are disappointed, but in the end he made new relationships and was able to continue playing football.

“I’m focused on what I can do to help the team win the last two games and how we play it better as an offensive line,” Priebe said.

What he shared about his former program is the Wildcats’ no quit attitude. He expects it will be shown at Michigan Stadium.

“No matter who it is, we’re going to have to play our best ball and execute at a high level to win the game,” Priebe said. “It’s a big game and a great opportunity. It’s something Northwestern in general takes pride in, having that chip on their shoulder, and people doubting them is a source of motivation.”

And Michigan’s motivation is simple — earn bowl eligibility.

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