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Behind enemy lines: Michigan

In this feature, GamecockCentral.com gives its subscribers more insight into Jim Harbaugh's Michigan football team by speaking with a trusted source. We reached out to TheWolverine.com's Andrew Vailliencourt to get the scoop on several topics relating to Michigan football.

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GC: First off, let's discuss the elusive Michigan depth chart. Are there any notable changes that we should know about in advance of the Outback Bowl? What do fans need to know about the depth chart, injuries, anything of that nature?

AV: In terms of the depth chart, I would imagine it's going to be the same group of starters that it's been pretty much the whole season. The only change would be quarterback, which has obviously been rotating quite a bit this season. Brandon Peters is healthy now and expected to start.

Cesar Ruiz is probably going to start at right guard, he took that job from Mike Onwenuearlier in the season after he got hurt. Karan Higdon will be starting at running back.

Mo Hurst is going to play in the bowl game. He's the man to watch on the defense at defensive tackle, he's a first round pick, potential top ten. Rashan Gary at defensive end, Chase Winovich at defensive end is deciding whether or not he's going to come back for another season. Devin Bush is the leading tackler on the team; he's a guy to pay attention to. Khaleke Hudson plays the "Viper" position which is similar to the BUCK position that South Carolina runs. He'll cover a variety, running backs, tight ends, blitz off the edge.

Michigan has the number one ranked pass defense in the country. Lavert Hill and David Long are the two corners there and they're both lock down guys.

GC: A lot of the talk has obviously centered around Michigan's defense. Those guys are really good. Offensively, the team hasn't gotten going as much this season. What have been the issues?

AV: There have really been a couple different things. Number one, the offensive line has not been very good this season. It's been inconsistent; it's had its moments especially in the run game. There was a portion in the middle of the season where it seemed like the line had things figured out in the run game but it's just been inconsistent. Pass blocking has been a struggle, especially at tackle, right tackle in particular. The guards have both been good throughout the season. Pat Kugler at center has been there the whole season. He's had his moments but has been inconsistent. The best o-lineman is Mason Cole, but he's playing out of position at left tackle. He's really more of a center or guard but moved to tackle out of necessity.

Then, quarterback play has not been good. John O'Korn was awful, Wilton Speight struggled a lot early in the season before he went down. Brandon Peters has been Michigan's best quarterback. He hasn't blown anybody away, but he has been efficient. He doesn't turn the ball over, he can make the throws and the more playing time he gets the more things he's figured out. He gives Michigan's offense the best chance to succeed. Wide receivers are very young. Loaded with talent, but haven't quite put everything together and I think a lot of that is on the quarterbacks. The running backs and the tight ends have been the strong points of the offense.

GC: Defensively, one couldn't point out a lot of weaknesses for Michigan. When there have been pockets, how have teams had some success against them?

AV: There are really only two ways that Michigan's defense has been beaten all season. What Penn State did, and that was their worst performance of the season, is they were able to get the ball to (RB) Saquon Barkley out of the backfield. They had Barkley lined up against Mike McCray, who's Michigan's middle linebacker. He's a great tackler and run defender, but he's weaker in pass coverage and he's not as fast as Bush and Hudson. He can get picked on a little bit by slot receivers or tight ends or running backs. That's where South Carolina could take advantage.

The other is probably on deep balls. The safeties, Tyree Kinnel and Josh Metellus have both been good this season but they've each every once in a while had a moment where a ball will get over their head and get beat deep. Because Michigan plays such an aggressive style of defense, they will every once in a while give up a big play.

GC: From what you've seen all season, how do you see this game playing out in the end? Do you see it being a low-scoring affair?

AV: I think it's going to be a tight, low scoring game, kind of like how everyone expects. The defenses I would expect to be strong. I do think Michigan's offense with Brandon Peters is trending up. I do see Michigan winning; I put my score prediction in at 24-13. I just don't know how South Carolina's going to score against Michigan's defense. For South Carolina to come out on top, they're going to need turnovers, they're going to need to take the ball away with Michigan driving or some sort of crucial turnover, special teams play. It's going to be a defensive battle and a tough-nosed type of game.

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