Michigan Football: Will the running game dominate when it counts?

Everyone seems to be excited about the running game for Michigan football this season but will it actually dominate when it counts?

There are a lot of reasons to be excited about the offense that Michigan football will put on the field in 2018. Shea Patterson has all the makings of a good quarterback; the running backs are deep; the wide receivers are talented and the offensive line should be improved.

But when you think about what Michigan football will hang its hat on offensively this season, the most logical option is the running game, for a multitude of reasons.

For starters, Michigan has the best tandem of backs its had in years with Karan Higdon and Chris Evans both returning, following a season that saw them combine for more than 1,600 yards. Higdon alone rushed for 994 and almost become just the second back since Mike Hart left to reach 1,000 yards.

However, he fell short. Injuries didn’t help. Higdon hurt his ankle in November and wasn’t the same the rest of the way. Evans picked up some of the slack, but still, when the games got bigger, the running game got worse and that’s now a three-year trend under Jim Harbaugh.

Overall, Michigan looked like a fine running team last season. The Wolverines ranked 49th in the FBS with an average of 177 yards per game. Yet, in five losses, Michigan barely averaged 100. In the first three losses of the year to Wisconsin, Penn State and Michigan State, UM averaged 87. 

That just isn’t going to cut it anymore. Not if the Wolverines want to start beating teams like Notre Dame, Michigan State and Ohio State.

The lack of a legitimate quarterback certainly didn’t help in those defeats and having Patterson should make a world of difference. Not only can Patterson throw the ball really well, but he can also scramble and is a threat to run the ball, something UM hasn’t really emphasized in a while.

Patterson’s presence should help keep Michigan from having to face eight or nine guys in the box and if that happens, UM should kill it on the ground.

Higdon is an NFL prospect and with a good season, could easily get drafted in the first few rounds. He’s tough, explosive and knows how to generate yards after contact. He will be Michigan’s next 1,000-yard guy in my humble opinion.

Evans should also have a big year. The junior can’t handle the carries Higdon can, yet he is a big play waiting to happen. He’s also dangerous in the passing game.

All that aside though, if Michigan wants to compete for a Big Ten or even a National Championship, it has to run the ball better, particularly against great defenses. And if you haven’t noticed, running the ball well is basically a requirement for reaching the College Football Playoff.

Alabama, Georgia, Clemson and Oklahoma all ranked 35th or higher, with Georgia ninth and Bama 13th. Ohio State was also 17th, Wisconsin was 23rd and Auburn was 26th. Those were probably the best seven teams in college football last year and they all dominated on the ground.

So that’s what Michigan needs to do. All the pieces should be in place, from the quarterback to the ball carriers, to the blockers — the Wolverines should have what it takes to excel on the ground and if they can’t, another season like 2017 might be in order.