Michigan’s Championship Hopes Hinge on Questionable Starters Ahead of Oklahoma Showdown

In the heart of Norman, Oklahoma, a glimmer of hope flickers for Michigan’s No. 13 football squad as they prepare to face off against No. 24 Oklahoma. The question on everyone’s mind? Will captain and safety Rod Moore lace up his cleats after battling through a grueling rehab from not one, but two knee surgeries? The latest injury report lists him as questionable, and that “maybe” hangs heavy over the Wolverines’ lineup. But Moore’s not the only key player skating on that edge — edge rusher Derrick Moore, offensive tackle Andrew Sprague, cornerback Caleb Anderson, and tight ends Hogan Hansen and Marlin Klein also carry the dubious “questionable” tag into this prime-time showdown. Hansen’s return marks a slight silver lining after being sidelined the previous week, while Klein’s pregame precautionary ankle wrap tells a story of resilience yet to be fully written. This clash isn’t just about football; it’s a test of grit, recovery, and how deep Michigan’s bench really is. As the Wolverines march forward, the shadow of injuries looms large, but the hunger to win bigger battles shines brighter than ever. LEARN MORE

NORMAN, Okla. − There’s an outside chance captain and safety Rod Moore will be available for No. 13 Michigan football’s primetime matchup against No. 24 Oklahoma as he continues to rehab his knee after multiple surgeries.

He’s listed as questionable.

Moore is one of a number of notable players deemed questionable including edge Derrick Moore, offensive tackle Andrew Sprague, cornerback Caleb Anderson, tight end Hogan Hansen and tight end Marlin Klein. Klein, a potential breakout star, was spotted pregame on the field with a large wrap around his right ankle.

Sprague left last week’s game for a few series, but Moore said he was just dealing with “cramps” and there was no concern moving forward. Derrick Moore, meanwhile, would be a big loss as a captain and U-M’s most prolific edge rusher.

Hansen’s status, meanwhile, is an upgrade from being ruled out a week ago.

Hansen is perceived as the tight end No. 2 in Steve Casula’s room behind Marlin Klein (not counting H-back Max Bredeson) given he flashed potential as a true freshman in 2024. Hansen caught seven passes for 78 yards and a touchdown which included first downs against both Ohio State and Alabama.

As for Moore, the last time he was on the field for the Wolverines was the 2024 national championship (at the end of the 2023 season) when the Wolverines defeated Washington, 34-13. Moore, who was a three-year starter and two-time All-Big Ten player at that point in time, debated foregoing his senior season to declare for the NFL draft, but he wanted to improve his stock.

Instead, he suffered a major setback, tearing his ACL during a special teams drill in spring ball prior to the 2024 season. He underwent season-ending knee surgery and was on the mend but as he continued his journey back to the playing field, something didn’t feel right.

Moore and doctors realized his meniscus had not fully recovered and he was eventually forced to do a second procedure last December.

Since that time, Moore’s worked his way back to the field and there was hope earlier this week he’d be ready to go.

“Rod is, I’d say, questionable,” head coach Sherrone Moore said at his weekly press conference. “Possible. We’ll see how he feels.” The injury report before the game confirmed that was the case.

Rod Moore said in late July that he was back to “85%” at that time and that he wasn’t sure when he’d be back to the field in 2025, only that he would return at some point. He didn’t want to rush his return in hopes of not putting any “bad tape” out there for scouts.

The most notable player who was ruled out for U-M is cornerback Shamari Earls. It’s not clear why he’s out, but it’s worth noting true freshman ran onto the field last week for the season opener and did a flip which he did not land. After a few moments of warm ups, he left and later returned to the sideline in street clothes.

It’s unclear what his status is, or if he is in jeopardy of missing serious time.

Tony Garcia is the Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.