Michigan Football: Can the Wolverines stop Trace McSorley?
When It comes to stopping Penn State, the biggest focus for Michigan football should be containing Nittany Lions quarterback Trace McSorley.
When the Michigan football team opened its brutal three-game stretch that featured Wisconsin, Michigan State and Penn State, it was hard to know which game would offer the biggest challenge.
Well now, it looks like the answer is going to be 14th-ranked Penn State, which will invade Ann Arbor to battle fifth-ranked Michigan football Saturday at 3:45 EST.
In the first two games against Wisconsin and Michigan State, Michigan football dominated, especially on the defensive side of the ball, holding the Badgers and Spartans to a combined total of 376 yards. The question is, can the Wolverines continue that type of dominance vs Penn State?
The fact that the Wolverines are fresh off a bye week should help. An extra week to get healthy and prepare is always good and in the case of defensive coordinator Don Brown, it seems like the preparation for Penn State has extended back much further.
Don Brown apparently hasn't been sleeping much Still stinging from Penn State game last year. Was asked on Inside Michigan Football radio show if he's had the upcoming game circled for a while: "I wake up every morning and I think about it"
— angelique (@chengelis) October 22, 2018
In case you forgot, Michigan football allowed 509 yards of total offense and gave up 42 points to Penn State a season ago. Trace McSorley tortured the Wolverines, throwing for 282 yards and a touchdown, while also running for three more.
Obviously, Penn State won’t have Saquon Barkley this time around, however, the Nittany Lions are still far and away the best offense Michigan has faced so far this season.
Coming into this week, Penn State is second in the Big Ten in scoring offense with an average of 41 points per game. The Nittany Lions are also fourth in total offense and fourth in rushing yards. Running back Miles Sanders, who leads Penn State with 834 yards rushing is a big part of that, but no one on the offense is more important than McSorley.
As a thrower, McSorley, who has battled some injuries, has struggled this season, completing only 53 percent of his throws. Yet, as a runner, he’s been dynamite, rushing for 617 yards and nine touchdowns. That, more than anything, is what should worry the Wolverines.
Running quarterbacks have always caused the Wolverines fits and if McSorley can get it going on the ground, it will be a bad omen for Michigan. To put it simply, Michigan has to stop the read option with McSorley and Sanders. Don’t get me wrong, KJ Hamler is dangerous in the passing game too, but if UM can contain McSorley and make him win his arm, it will be a good thing.
Unfortunately, that’s easier said than done. But after two weeks to prepare, the objective for Michigan football on Saturday should be simple: slow down Trace McSorley.
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If the Wolverines can do that, the rest should fall into place, especially if McSorley is forced to pass all day against Michigan’s top-ranked pass defense.