Michigan Football: Will Karan Higdon back up his guarantee?

Karan Higdon didn’t make a bold guarantee that Michigan football would beat Ohio State, but he answered that they would. Question is, can he back it up?

When it comes to Michigan football and Ohio State, there is always something interesting that happens leading up to the game. One of the most famous moments was when Jim Harbaugh guaranteed a win over Ohio State back in 1986.

Well, we got another interesting moment in the rivalry between Michigan football and Ohio State Monday as Wolverines running back Karan Higdon guaranteed a win over the Buckeyes Saturday.

It was a different kind of guarantee that Harbaugh made all those years ago. Higdon was basically asked if he would guarantee a win over the Buckeyes and to that question, he responded that he would.

When I first heard it, I wasn’t really surprised. This Michigan team has been a confident bunch all season long. They openly talked about the revenge tour and openly mocked both Michigan State and Penn State while beating them down.

These Wolverines have had attitude and have played with an edge. In my estimation that has really helped them this season, so did it surprise me that Higdon, a senior captain, stepped to the plate and said what everyone on the Michigan football team believes, that the Wolverines can beat Ohio State? No, it didn’t surprise and the truth is, I loved it.

Now, it’s time for Higdon to back it up and knowing head coach Jim Harbaugh and what he wants to do offensively, the senior running back should certainly get the chance.

Last season, Higdon ran the ball 11 times for 55 yards and a touchdown against Ohio State. Michigan lost that game 31-20, however, this time around, Higdon should get a lot more touches. The more he carries the ball, the better it is for Michigan football.

So far, Higdon has 209 carries this season for over 1,100 yards. He has eight 100-yard games and 10 touchdowns. He’s a big reason why UM has the fourth-best rush offense (219 YPG) in the Big Ten and if he can go over 100 yards against the Buckeyes, you have to feel like Michigan will win.

Even if Ohio State’s run defense, which got dominated by Maryland last week, can stand up against the Wolverines, Michigan could still find a way to win the game. The defense is incredible and Shea Patterson is pretty good too.

But I think Michigan will want to make his an old-school affair. Higdon averaged 24 carries against Wisconsin, Penn State and Michigan State and if he is running well enough to get 20 carries or more Saturday, then Ohio State better watch out, because Higdon isn’t the kind of guy to make a guarantee if he doesn’t plan on backing it up.

Whether he will or not remains to be seen. But with this Michigan coaching staff and this offensive line, it seems like he will get the chance to. Now, he just needs to deliver the game of his life.