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The Michigan Wolverines are back preparing for Ohio State on Saturday after the medical team cleared the program to return limited workouts, team spokesman Dave Ablauf informed the media on Monday afternoon.
Michigan was sidelined last week against Maryland due to COVID-19 positives within the program, though it was never revealed how many players were dealing with the virus. Some media reports noted as many as 12 or more positive cases, but the medical staff at Michigan felt good enough about the situation to give them the green light to at least get some Monday work in.
The plan right now, I've been told, is for Michigan to practice today and tomorrow. Team should be meeting about now. I'm not sure it's a "sign" they will play -- It's a sign they're TRYING to play Am not ready to make that leap yet that The Game is gonna happen
— angelique (@chengelis) December 7, 2020
It is a step in the right direction and those in the know say that Michigan is trying like hell to field a team this week, but there is still pessimism that that will wind up happening. Aside from the spread of the virus, Michigan is dealing with a rash of injuries with some reports indicating that they could be down to Dan Villari this weekend should they play, the preseason fourth-string quarterback and a true freshman.
It is unclear what the limited workouts might entail, but daily testing continues in Ann Arbor to see who may be available. For now, it seems that Michigan is tentatively planning to hit the practice field on Tuesday but everything is touch-and-go at the moment.
Should Michigan and OSU renew their rivalry in Columbus on Saturday, the Buckeyes have been installed as 30-point favorites. The game is set for a noon eastern kickoff on FOX.