Michigan Football: 3 players that need to step up in 2018

Higdon or Evans needs to take over running back role

If there is one aspect that isn’t talked about more, at least from my perspective, among the Michigan football fans, it’s the running game or lack of one when it counts.

I’ve pointed this out about a million times, so I apologize if you have already read it, but Michigan hasn’t been able to run the ball against quality teams under Harbaugh. It’s insane and it’s also a major aspect of why the Wolverines are struggling in big games.

Obviously, the offensive line has a lot to do with that. However, the running backs do too and so I’d really like to see either Karan Higdon or Chris Evans step up and be the bell cow for this team.

That’s not to say the other guy shouldn’t get the ball. No, the backfield is big enough for both of them. Yet, it would be nice to see one of them be established as the guy and not because of what happens in Spring ball or Fall camp, but because of what happens on the field.

Higdon got close to that point a few times this season when he ran for more than 200 yards. In the end, he was just six yards short of 1,000. Yet in the biggest games, he came up small (Michigan State, Ohio State, Wisconsin, South Carolina and Penn State). In those five losses, he averaged just 50 yards rushing. He also scored just two touchdowns.

Evans had his moments as well, but the fact that Michigan hasn’t had a 1,000 yard rusher since 2011 is mind-boggling. It has to change and as of right now, one of these guys has to be the one to do it.