Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh speaks to the media after the 26-19 loss to South Carolina in the Outback Bowl on Jan. 1, 2018, in Tampa, Fla. Video by Nick Baumgardner/DFP
Free Press sports writer Nick Baumgardner looks at three Michigan Wolverines who helped and hurt their stock in Michigan's 26-19 loss to South Carolina in the Outback Bowl:
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LB Khaleke Hudson: Hudson put the cap on what was a fantastic finish to an overall impressive 2017 season as Michigan's viper linebacker. The sophomore standout posted another 10 tackles, including a sack, and two pass breakups as the Wolverine front seven gave South Carolina fits all game. Hudson had 82 tackles (17 1/2 for a loss) and 8 sacks this season. He added two interceptions and nine pass breakups. Every one of those numbers was better than the defensive season Jabrill Peppers posted in 2016. Hudson was just a sophomore this season and a full-time starter for the first time. He'll be looked at as one of the top defenders in the league next season.
DE Rashan Gary: Michigan's sophomore defensive end added another sack to his total in the Outback Bowl and finished the year with 67 tackles (12 for a loss) and six sacks as Michigan's anchor defensive end. For the sake of comparison, Gary had a better statistical season than former Michigan captain Chris Wormley posted as a fifth-year senior in 2016. He faced constant double teams this season and played his best football down the stretch. Like Hudson and All-American linebacker Devin Bush, Gary will be looked at as one of the league's top performers in 2018 and a top performer on Michigan's roster.
K Quinn Nordin: Apart from an uncalled for and inappropriate gesture toward the South Carolina bench at halftime, Michigan's kicker finished 4-for-4 on field goal tries during the Outback Bowl, finishing the year 19 of 24 overall. Nordin wasn't without his struggles this season, but it was his first year as a Michigan kicker and he found a way to finish on a high note statistically.
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QB Brandon Peters: This was Peters' opportunity to put distance between himself and everyone else. He didn't accomplish that. Michigan's redshirt freshman quarterback had a month to prepare for the Outback Bowl as the starting quarterback and never looked confident or comfortable in Monday's loss. He was 20 of 44 for 186 yards and 2 interceptions, both coming in the fourth quarter. Peters missed plenty of throws downfield, forced two picks and never really found a rhythm apart from one scoring drive in the third quarter. Not the type of day he was looking for as Shea Patterson hopes to battle for his spot. That starts now.
RB Karan Higdon: Not only did Higdon contribute to Michigan's poor pass protection during Monday's loss, but he also coughed up a critical fumble with Michigan going in for what could have been the final nail in South Carolina during the third quarter. It was an inexcusable fumble for a player who is looked at as an anchor for Michigan offensively. Higdon put together 994 yards on the ground this season; he had a fine year. But there's plenty about his game that needs improvement and Monday's fumble was no exception.
Offensive line: Michigan played without starters Ben Bredeson and Juwann Bushell-Beatty; both absences went as undisclosed by Michigan and Jim Harbaugh when asked for comment. Either way, no combination up front worked for Michigan this season; two more sacks, countless pressure and another paltry day running the ball. Michigan enters a huge offseason with question marks at both tackle spots. Redshirt freshman Stephen Spanellis filled in for an injured Patrick Kugler during the Outback Bowl. Perhaps he's the answer there. Tackle and quarterback are Michigan's biggest question marks right now. And neither answer is simple.
Contact Nick Baumgardner: [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @NickBaumgardner.
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