Michigan Wolverines College Football Pregame Quote, 12/29/2022

I’ve been talking to a lot of your teammates and everybody is lock-step on the same kind of mantra that this is a business trip and you guys are focused. How much will that help you guys going forward Saturday against TCU?

MAZI SMITH: Just preparing the right way like we’ve done all season. We’re 13-0 and that’s the only way we’ll get to 14-0.

What do you see about TCU, and specifically their quarterback (Max Duggan), that makes their offense such a legitimate threat and dangerous?

MAZI SMITH: Their quarterback knows what to do in the right moments. He plays with a lot of heart and leaves everything on the field. I think when you see your quarterback, your leader, doing that, it gives the rest of the team more vigor.

I think that it gives the rest of the team more of an edge, makes them play harder as a whole. Because you’ve got the guy who always has the ball in his hands. He means everything. He means a lot. What are you going to do for him?

What would be the biggest key for you guys on defense to slow down this team?

MAZI SMITH: Just be stopping the running game, what we’ve done all year. Keep the ball in front of us and explosive plays. I don’t let them put seven points up on the board every time they get the ball.

And how does a team that’s undefeated stay humble?

MAZI SMITH: Coach Harbaugh. He’s looking for guys who lead the team. Guys like Ronnie [Bell] and Olu [Oluwatimi]. Everybody is on the same page. Everybody is looking in the same direction and nobody is basking in the glory or anything like that. We’ve got a lot to do.

Even the young guys mirror that sentiment. Guys like Dono (Donovan Edwards) and J.J. [McCarthy], guys like Mason Graham, all the freshman, Will [Johnson]. All the young people who have been contributing big time to this season.