Michigan Football: Can Wolverines slow down Dwayne Haskins?

The key matchup between Michigan football and Ohio State might be Dwayne Haskins and the pass offense vs the Wolverines defense. Who has the edge?

There are a lot of intriguing matchups between Michigan football and Ohio State. However, the thing that might decide the game is who wins out of the Wolverines pass defense and Buckeyes quarterback Dwayne Haskins.

Haskins leads the passing offense for Ohio State, which leads the Big Ten with 359.5 yards per game. Haskins has thrown 36 touchdown passes compared to just seven interceptions and more than likely, he will be the Big Ten Player of the Year. He’s also the biggest reason why Ohio State is 10-1.

While the Buckeyes pass offense is one of the best in the country, the same can be said about Michigan football and its defense, which leads the Big Ten and the country in passing yards allowed at 123 yards per game. Opposing teams have completed just 47 percent of pass attempts against Michigan and thrown just seven touchdowns passes. UM has also notched 11 interceptions.

Michigan has gotten the better of just about every quarterback it has faced, however, at times, the Wolverines have struggled and it seems to happen more in the first half of games.

Brandon Wimbush led Notre Dame to 21 points in the first half against Michigan and last week Peyton Ramsey led Indiana to 17 first-half points. He also threw a touchdown pass. He finished with just 195 yards, one touchdown and one pick, but it showed teams can move it through the air on Michigan.

Clayton Thorson also had a solid day, completing 16-of-27 passes for 196 yards, but he didn’t throw a touchdown or a pick. However, he had the Wildcats up 17-0 on Michigan but couldn’t lead his team to any points in the second half.

Haskins is a different animal. Trace McSorley is another good quarterback and Michigan made him look foolish, but McSorley doesn’t have receivers like Parris Campbell and K.J. Hill.

Michigan will be at full strength in the secondary and has two of the best corners in the nation in David Long and Lavert Hill. Brandon Watson is also a very good nickel corner. On top of that, the Wolverines have a dominant pass rush, one that has notched 31 sacks, which is tied for second in the Big Ten.

Both Haskins and the Michigan defense will face their most difficult task of the season in each other and it’s safe to say, whoever wins that particular matchup, has a very good chance of winning the football game.

If Haskins throws for close to 300 yards and a few touchdowns, beating Ohio State will be a tough task for the Wolverines. It’s possible but it would take a huge day from the offense. At the same time, if Haskins struggles, Ohio State will have a tough time moving the football.

Either way, the matchup of Haskins vs the Michigan defense is one to keep an eye on and if Michigan wins it, it’s hard to see the Buckeyes winning The Game.