Michigan Football vs. Ohio State: Buckeyes Players to Watch

Nov 14, 2015; Champaign, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back Clayton Fejedelem (20) and Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back Taylor Barton (3) pursue Ohio State Buckeyes running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) at Memorial Stadium. Ohio State beat Illinois 28-3. Mandatory Credit: Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports

RB Ezekiel “Zeke” Elliott

This should pretty much go without saying, but the junior running back, Heisman candidate, and future NFL weapon is most definitely a threat. His Heisman candidacy is riding on 232 carries for 1,458 yards, averaging 6.3 yards a carry, with 17 rushing touchdowns.

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Elliott is also a reliable blocker in pass protection. Usually when you hear the term “laying the wood” it’s in reference to a defensive player and his tackling. Not in this case. Elliott will put most players at this level on their back with ease.

Elliott is not without flaws, though those flaws come on the offensive line and are therefore beyond his control. This offensive line is nearly atrocious. This is shocking because it’s pretty much the same offensive line as last year, which got significantly better with each game.

One of Elliott’s other flaws, which is a gift as well, is that he’s a one-dimensional back. He’s great between the tackles, but not nearly as good on sweeps, tosses, counters, etc. The reason why this is also a gift is because once he gets going there’s no slowing him down.

Elliott is a running back that Michigan hasn’t seen the like of, and the closest thing Elliott has seen to a Michigan defense is the Michigan State defense, which is close, but not quite there.

Michigan State sold out on the game plan to stop Zeke and it worked. You don’t have to put nearly as many points on the board if you shut down your opponent’s best scoring options, and he’s easily the biggest one. Zeke made comments about the play calling, which is fine and I know plenty of people who would agree with him, but on 12 carries he only ran 33 yards.

If Michigan can commit to that kind of attention, the Wolverines more than stand a chance.

Next: H-Back Braxton Miller