Brian BennettThe Harbaugh hype is real. With cornerbac

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Houston Texans cornerback Kevin Johnson remembers playing against Jacoby Brissett when both played in the Atlantic Coast Conference.I remember him being a good player, an athletic mobile quarterback, Johnson, who played at Wake Forest, said as his Texans prepared for Thursday nights game at the New England Patriots -- and against the rookie quarterback making his first NFL start.Hes a guy who can make the throws, a great player we have to respect and prepare for.Brissett, the former Florida and North Carolina State quarterback and No. 3 quarterback on the New England roster, moved up to No. 2 with the four-game Deflategate suspension of Tom Brady. Jimmy Garoppolo started the first two games but a shoulder injury to Garoppolo in the Week 2 win over the Dolphins shook up the depth chart again.While coach Bill Belichick is unlikely to declare it fact, Brissett is almost certainly the starter when these two 2-0 teams get together at Gillette Stadium.He has really good poise, very smart guy, says Texans coach Bill OBrien. Hes got good size. Hes like 235 pounds. Hes a good football player. When we evaluated him in the draft, we felt the same way then, too. Hes a bright guy and hes coached very well there.OBrien was Belichicks offensive coordinator before OBrien left to become head coach at Penn State. His defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel had the same job in New England. Linebackers coach Mike Vrabel played for the Patriots, as did nose tackle Vince Wilfork.In short, the Texans know the Patriots.But the familiarity with Brissett, who has played 34 minutes and attempted nine passes in the NFL, is another story.Tuesday, Belichick didnt officially declare Garoppolo, who suffered a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder, out for the game. He was listed as a limited participant on the official practice report.Belichick also wouldnt say if the Patriots were bringing in another quarterback. Wide receiver Julian Edelman, a quarterback in college at Kent State, would be available for emergencies.Jacobys done a good job for us, Belichick said. Hes improved every day. Hes a hard-working kid. Hes in here early, stays late, studies the game. Hes got good physical talent. Hes improved steadily since hes been here -- after the draft and all way through.Brissett was 6 of 9 and led his team to what turned out to be the winning touchdown drive early in the second half on Sunday. What was supposed to be a blowout turned close when the Miami Dolphins scored on three straight possessions and had a chance to tie.The Texans have not allowed a touchdown in six quarters and Houston notched wins over the Bears and Chiefs to come to Foxborough as a rare road favorite.The Texans are very good on defense ... they take the ball away, they create long-yardage situations, theyre one of the best third-down teams in the league again this year, which theyve been in the past, said Belichick, whose offense has been missing tight end Rob Gronkowski (hamstring) for the first two games and may not have him again. They dont give up many points. The biggest challenge is always scoring points -- thats the name of the game, thats what we play for. They havent given up many. Im sure it wont be easy to score -- well have to do a good job, execute well.Belichick was asked by the Houston media via conference call if star defensive end J.J. Watt reminds him at all of Lawrence Taylor, the Hall of Fame linebacker he coached as an assistant with the Giants. The pair are the only two players ever to win NFL defensive player of the year honors three times.They both play pretty hard, yeah, Belichick said. I think J.J. is a relentless, a relentless player. Very instinctive and Id say a lot like Taylor, when at the most critical times in the most important plays, thats where those guys showed the most and thats what great players do.The New England defense, which is missing key pass-rushing linebacker Rob Ninkovich (suspension), shut Ryan Tannehill out in the first quarter Sunday, but then saw the Dolphins quarterback throw for 389 yards in the last three quarters.Brock Osweiler, the quarterback who played such an important part in the Denver Broncos run to the title last year, is 41 of 68 for 499 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions in his first two games running the Houston offense.New Englands LeGarrette Blount and Houstons Lamar Miller, the running backs for the two teams, have run for 193 and 189 yards, respectively, in the first two games. Custom Indians Jerseys . Boucher previously coached the Tampa Bay Lightning and had a 97-78-20 record over two-plus seasons. 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I dont know if I can quantify how far off or things like that that they might be but I would say we continue to have dialogue. No. 7 Stanford | No. 9 Tennessee | Top 25No. 8: MichiganLast Season: 10-3?(6-2 Big Ten East)After fielding a top-10 defense each of the past two years (just 295.4 yards allowed per game since 14), Michigan enters 2016 with my No. 5-rated defense overall, led by my No. 10 defensive line and No. 8 secondary. On offense, the Wolverines return their top four receivers, led by 6-3 senior Jehu Chesson (764 yards and nine TDs), and their leading rusher, DeVeon Smith (753 yards). Michigan should open the season 7-0 and likely will be ranked in the top three, but the team has a brutal stretch to end 2016: Its final three road trips are to Michigan State (toss-up), Iowa (+3) and Ohio State (+6).IN IF... It can beat both Michigan State and Ohio State, a feat the Wolverines havent accomplished in 13 years. With a subpar schedule, theyll need that résumé boost for a playoff shot.OUT IF... Jim Harbaugh cant work his QB magic. UM claims the best pair of wideouts in the Big Ten (Chesson and Amara Darboh) and perhaps the best TE in the nation in Jake Butt (12.8 ypc) -- but those threats arent worth much without a quarterback who can find them.Michigans chances to win each game 09.03 vs. Hawaii: 99.4% 09.10 vs. UCF: 97.6% 09.17 vs. Colorado: 90.5% 09.24 vs. Penn State: 79.7% 10.01 vs. Wisconsin: 78.6% 10.08 @ Rutgers: 85.2% 10.22 vs. Illinois: 94.5% 10.29 @ Michigan State: 66.6% 11.05 vs. Maryland: 93.1% 11.12 @ Iowa: 66.3% 11.19 vs. Indiana: 91.3% 11.26 @ Ohio State: 48.4%Yeear 2 of the Jim Harbaugh era produces a College Football Playoff berth, as his experienced Wolverines ride a ferocious defense and a favorable schedule to an 11-1 regular-season record and a long-awaited Big Ten title.dddddddddddd.?-- Brian BennettThe Harbaugh hype is real. With cornerback Jourdan Lewis and linebacker Jabrill Peppers, this defense might wind up as the best in the country. This team is more than capable of an 11-1 record and a spot in the Big Ten championship.?-- Josh MoyerThe first half of Michigans schedule will do nothing to slow down the Harbaugh Express hype train in Ann Arbor. A 10-2 regular season is a reasonable step forward considering the Wolverines make trips to Iowa City, East Lansing and Columbus in the last five weeks of the year.?-- Dan MurphyMichigan doesnt play a game outside the Big House until Week 6 and is a favorite to win its first 11 games. Michigan breaks through in Harbaughs second year and beats Ohio State in the regular season finale to finish 12-0 and reach the league championship game. -- Jesse TempleThe Harbaugh Hype is building. But with uncertainty at quarterback and a tough conference schedule that includes road trips to the other three Big Ten contenders, the Wolverines are probably a year away and looking at a 9-3 campaign.?-- Austin WardNo. 7 Stanford | No. 9 Tennessee | Top 25 ' ' '