Michigan Football: Which run game will show up in the Outback Bowl?
Michigan football runs the ball great at times, but other times, it’s inconsistent. When it comes to the Outback Bowl, how UM runs, will decide the outcome.
On paper, Michigan football is a pretty good running team. The Wolverines were among the top three or four teams in the Big Ten in rushing yards all season long and in the FBS, they ranked 39th.
Yet, when you really delve into Michigan football’s rushing numbers, you will see often times, the running game determines whether UM will win or lose. In fact, in each of the Wolverines four losses, the lack of running game was a clear cause.
Against Michigan State, Penn State, Wisconsin and Ohio State, Michigan football averaged just 90 yards rushing per game. And well under four yards a carry. In their eight wins, the Wolverines racked up 233 yards on the ground.
Michigan has two solid backs in Karan Higdon and Chris Evans, who should both be 100 percent. The combined for more than 1,500 yards during the regular season and scored 17 rushing touchdowns. As a team UM had 25 rushing touchdowns total.
While the Wolverines are 39th in the FBS in rushing yards, South Carolina ranks 44th when it comes to stopping the run. The Gamecocks aren’t as stout as Wisconsin and Michigan State, but they aren’t Rutgers either.
Michigan Wolverines Football
Yet, a top-ranked run defense isn’t always everything. Minnesota had one of the best run defense in the Big Ten when it went into the Big House, and Higdon ran all over them. Evans is also capable of breaking a big run at anytime and is coming off a solid game against Ohio State.
Much of the talk leading up to the Outback Bowl, has been about Brandon Peters. And yes, the quarterback will need to play well. He will have to convert third downs and take care of the football, but if the running game gets rolling, he will be required to do much less.
Higdon has had some big games this season, going for 200 twice and also getting 158 against Rutgers. But in the four losses, he hasn’t gotten more than 65 yards rushing.
A couple of years ago in the Citrus Bowl, Michigan football was able to run all over Florida and the Wolverines won that game. Last season, against Florida State in Orange Bowl, that didn’t happen and Michigan lost.
That’s a familiar trend during the Harbaugh era. Basically, if the Wolverines run the ball well, they will win. If not, they don’t. Simple as that.
Next: Top 10 Michigan Running Backs of All Time
So if you are looking for a trend to watch during the game, watch Michigan’s rushing yards, because if the Wolverines don’t have a big day on the ground, they will probably leave Tampa Bay with a loss.