For the first and third games of the season -- he was hurt for the Notre Dame game -- Fitz Touissant started at running back for the unbeaten Michigan Wolverines.
Come Saturday, however, Touissant will probably be a healthy scratch from the starting lineup, with head coach Brady Hoke likely going with Vincent Smith as the starter against his former team, San Diego State. Hoke also indicated that Touissant will get his share of carries, although at some point he’d like to choose one who could help take a little of the running game load off quarterback Denard Robinson.
“I would think so,” Hoke said of Smith starting. “Fitz had a good day (of practice) yesterday, too. Both those guys ran the ball hard. (Thomas) Rawls ran the ball hard, and he got some snaps in there. We’re still trying to find what that magic combination is. ...
“There will be a point (of choosing one), but I can’t tell you on the 21st of September that we know when that point’s going to happen. There’s some good things they all do, to some degree, but we want that guy who’s going to play a perfect game.”
Smith and Touissant have rushed for 132 and 126 yards, respectively, this season, with 118 of Smith’s production coming in last weekend’s win over Eastern Michigan.