The Spotlight Dance -- Michigan

Iowa LB Jeremiha Hunter vs. Michigan RB Brandon Minor

Jeremiha Hunter (jr.) 

Dimensions - 6-foot-2, 235

Position - Weakside linebacker

Back story - During the spring, Iowa defensive coordinator Norm Parker said there was a real competition between Hunter and junior Jeff Tarpinian.

The quote was this: "Closer than Hunter thinks it is. It's close, it's close. I think Tarpinian is going to be a good player. . . . Tarp is a real hard worker and very smart kid and he's done some real good things. I feel good about that position.”

This isn't a "look what Norm said" gotcha deal. Coaches use the media for motivation or to plant a seed all the time.

Hunter has been the unquestioned WLB. He's No. 2 on the team with 41 tackles. He has 2.5 tackles for loss, three pass breakups, a recovered fumble and, of course, the blocked 40-yard field goal that saved Iowa's hide against Northern Iowa. You know, the second one. That performance earned him a Big Ten special teams player of the week.

He's been positionally strong and has made most of the plays presented to him (though he did miss an interception vs. Arkansas State). Hunter is a trusted performer on this defense. He's earned his spot.

Tarpinian hasn't exactly been a wallflower, though. He's the linebacker in the game when Iowa goes 3-4. Against Iowa State, he tipped a pass that SS Tyler Sash intercepted. Iowa has great talent and depth at LB, so the roles are limited. Tarpinian has made the most of his limited opportunities.

With Michigan's misdirection, Iowa's LBs will be charged with staying in position Saturday night. Hunter has been disciplined. He should be up to it.

Brandon Minor (sr.) 

Dimensions - 6-foot-1, 218

Position - SB, don't know what that is, assuming something in the running back family

Back story - This appears to be Minor's week.

He's been limited with foot/ankle injuries early this season, but he's been "the guy" in practice this week, especially with Carlos Brown missing Wednesday's practice with an undisclosed injury.

"This has been his best week, probably since training camp," coach Rich Rodriguez said Wednesday before practice. "The past few weeks he's been limited during the weeks. Tuesday practices are our most physical, and yesterday he went through the whole practice. Talking to him, it's the best he's felt in several weeks."

He has 179 rushing yards on 35 carries this year. He has the team's most carries in a single game -- 16 against Notre Dame when he ran for 106 yards. He averages 5.1 yards a carry and has scored two TDs.

"He's been able to play because he knows enough of the offense to play, but we talked about he's got to get more reps during the week to be ready for Saturday," Rodriguez said.

He's described as Michigan's punisher at RB. That's the language Iowa speaks. The athletes in space is the hard part.

Judges?

Will Minor get enough touches to matter? I don't see the 16-carry, 100-yard game he put up against Notre Dame, ranked No. 96 in total defense, by the way. Is he a "keep the defense honest" runner on Saturday? Or is he a vital cog in this week's gameplan? This said, I don't see an all-Forcier Michigan, either.

There was some debate on Iowa messageboards this week about Hunter being Iowa's best LB. I'm not sure about that, but I am glad I don't have to figure that out. This has been an outstanding group. If Norm was trying to motivate Hunter or keep Tarpinian interested, it appears it worked. They're both doing their jobs, which is really what Iowa coaches want. More would be great, but doing the job is what they're after.

If UM commits to the run, Minor could be major, but Iowa's LBs have earned an edge.