Michigan Newsstand - November 4

FEATURED HEADLINE

Skid doesn’t affect U-M recruits
Josh Helmholdt • The Detroit Free Press
While losing four of the last five games has taken its toll on the Michigan fan base, the Wolverines recruiting efforts have not seen much negative effect.

FOOTBALL

Woodson gets grief from fellow Packers over U-M slump
Angelique Chengelis • The Detroit News
For former Heisman Trophy winner Charles Woodson, watching the Wolverines this season has been tough.

Purdue recovering from loss, preps for U-M
Cliff Brunt • The Detroit Free Press
Purdue has had stretches of ineptitude this season, but nothing like the game’s worth of ugliness last Saturday.

Rodriguez talks about the defense’s recent struggles
Michael Eisenstein • The Michigan Daily
With four consecutive conference losses - the most recent an embarrassing loss to a terrible Illinois team - the Wolverines are unraveling during the season’s most critical stretch.

Michigan looking for more physical play out of its offensive line
Dave Birkett • AnnArbor.com
The last time Rich Rodriguez challenged his offensive line to play more physical came after Michigan lost in overtime to rival Michigan State. The Wolverines responded by scoring the first three rushing touchdowns of the year on Iowa’s defense.

Denard Robinson’s cameo at receiver not the start of a position change
Dave Birkett • AnnArbor.com
Denard Robinson’s only meaningful snaps in last week’s 38-13 loss to Illinois came split wide at receiver.

Rummel safety Carvin Johnson commits to Michigan
Mike Strom • The Times-Picayune
Consider Rummel safety Carvin Johnson one and done. Johnson capped eight days of diligent deliberation Tuesday night by verbally committing to Michigan after making his first and final official recruiting visit two weekends ago to the Big Ten school.

AROUND THE NATION

Bowden to make hire with Fisher’s input
ESPN.com • ESPN.com
Florida State coach Bobby Bowden will hire the Seminoles’ next defensive coordinator, but offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher should weigh in heavily, Bowden said Wednesday on the weekly ACC teleconference.

Ealey: Spikes shouldn’t be suspended
Associated Press Story • ESPN.com
A most unlikely person came to the defense of Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes, who was suspended for half a game for apparently trying to gouge the eyes of Georgia running back Washaun Ealey.

Indiana inquires about TD reversal
Associated Press Story • ESPN.com
Indiana coach Bill Lynch has contacted Big Ten officials about a touchdown that was overturned on replay during Saturday’s loss at Iowa.

Pike gets splint as arm heals
Associated Press Story • ESPN.com
Tony Pike had X-rays on Tuesday that showed his non-passing arm is healing nicely from surgery, another step toward getting him back to full practice with Cincinnati (No. 5 BCS, No. 4 AP).

McKnight, Bradford sit out practice
Associated Press Story • ESPN.com
Tailbacks Joe McKnight and Allen Bradford are sitting out most of Southern California’s practice to rest injuries.

Cornhuskers punish Suh for crash
Associated Press Story • ESPN.com
Nebraska defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh has been disciplined by the team after being ticketed for negligent driving for ramming three parked cars with his sport utility vehicle over the weekend.

Scott, top recruit of Hawkins time at Colorado, leaving program
Associated Press Story • SI.com
Sophomore tailback Darrell Scott, the biggest recruiting prize in coach Dan Hawkins’ four-year tenure at Colorado, is leaving the program after 1 1/2 season filled with injuries and frustration.

Notre Dame’s Michael Floyd cleared to play against Navy
Brian Hamilton • The Chicago Tribune
As Michael Floyd sprinted through the mini-gantlet early in practice Tuesday, four walk-ons bashed him with yellow blocking pads. Notre Dame’s dynamic sophomore receiver emerged at the other end unscathed. At least physically.

For links from around the Michigan blogosphere, check out The Wolverine Blog.