Fiesta Bowl: The underrated players to watch during TCU vs Michigan

Glendale, Arizona - As Michigan and TCU face off for the first time ever on Saturday in the upcoming College Football Playoff (CFP) semifinal Fiesta Bowl game, both teams are expected to have big plays made by some rising superstars.

TCU and Michigan will face off in the semifinal Fiesta Bowl on Saturday and are expected to have under the radar players breakout with big performances.
TCU and Michigan will face off in the semifinal Fiesta Bowl on Saturday and are expected to have under the radar players breakout with big performances.  © Collage: TOM PENNINGTON / TOM PENNINGTON / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP

In the last month, the Wolverines and the Horned Frogs' passing attacks have grabbed major national attention.

After losing Heisman candidate running back Blake Corum to a season-ending injury, Michigan turned their impressive running game offense into a viable passing threat led by quarterback JJ McCarthy.

TCU has arguably received the more attention of the two teams, as quarterback Max Duggan cruised his way to the Heisman Trophy ceremony as a finalist after huge passing performances that led to an undefeated regular season.

Both the Wolverines and the Horned Frogs will need their passing games to win big in the semifinal Playoff showdown, and are projected to have some underrated superstars potentially leading the way.

With a chance to play in the national championship game on the line, who will be the breakout stars at State Farm Stadium on Saturday?

Can tight end Luke Schoonmaker step up for Michigan?

Michigan's Luke Schoonmaker (r.) can be a vital member to the Wolverines' offense and perform big in the semifinal, as he did during the Big Ten Championship.
Michigan's Luke Schoonmaker (r.) can be a vital member to the Wolverines' offense and perform big in the semifinal, as he did during the Big Ten Championship.  © Dylan Buell / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

While the Wolverines have already replaced Corum with star Donovan Edwards, who showed up big in the rivalry game against Ohio State and the Big Ten Championship, Michigan now faces another problem in their offense.

During the Big Ten title game, tight end Colston Loveland sustained an injury and may not be at full strength in time for the Fiesta Bowl.

If this is the case, the Wolverines will need one of their veteran players to step up, and that player could be tight end Luke Schoonmaker. The senior showed up big in the Big Ten championship game, posting three catches for 56 yards and a score.

As Michigan's top two receivers Ronnie Bell and Cornelius Johnson will receive the most attention from TCU's defense, Schoonmaker is the next man up to make big plays.

Schoonmaker can be a vital player to keep drives going into the red zone.

Will defensive lineman Dylan Horton lead TCU in stopping Michigan's power offense?

TCU's Dylan Horton will be an instrumental player on the Horned Frogs' defense against Michigan's powerful offense.
TCU's Dylan Horton will be an instrumental player on the Horned Frogs' defense against Michigan's powerful offense.  © Ron Jenkins / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP
The TCU defense will have their hands full defending against Michigan's award-wining offensive line. But with lineman Dylan Horton on the Horned Frogs' side, TCU will be a serious contender.

The senior could be set to make a huge impact once again. The 6-foot-4 lineman had a breakout game in the Big 12 Championship with five tackles and a pair of sacks, and in Fiesta Bowl, a few disruptions from his pass rush could go a long way in tearing down Michigan's offense.

Horton can surely lead TCU's defense to break the Wolverines' rhythm and powerful drives.

If TCU can keep Michigan from getting into their groove as much as possible, they can avoid the Wolverines pulling away early in the game.

The Fiesta Bowl will kick off on December 31 at 4 PM EST on ESPN.

Cover photo: Collage: TOM PENNINGTON / TOM PENNINGTON / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP

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