Michigan Football: 5 questions for Wolverines offense in 2019

How will the Wolverines use their running backs?

When it came to running the football, the Wolverines had a pretty good season in 2018, as Karan Higdon became only the second 1,000 rusher for Michigan football since the graduation of Mike Hart. UM also averaged 202 yards per game.

But in Michigan’s three losses, the Wolverines averaged only 98 yards and Higdon was held to 72  against both Notre Dame and Ohio State. Then, he didn’t play in the Peach Bowl, a game in which UM ran the ball 30 times for just 77 yards.

Higdon is graduating and the question is, who will fill his shoes and end up as the starter? Chris Evans and Tru Wilson are the two veterans returning, while Christian Turner, a freshman who played in just three games, will also be in the mix.

It’s hard to know exactly how Gattis will utilize his running backs but if the coach uses the model Alabama did last season with its talented group of runners, who had three running backs get more than 100 rushing attempts but none that got over 200, there should more of an even distribution of carries.

Michigan football was the exact opposite in 2018. Higdon ran the ball 228 times, no one else even got 80. Evans probably isn’t capable of being a 20-carry guy and it’s clear Turner needs more opportunities, so Gattis will have plenty of options. Wilson and incoming freshman Zach Charbonnet also can’t be forgotten.

Gattis has talked a lot about using speed in space and with some talented backs, getting them touches in space and even just with more quick passes will be key. Either way, expect all four guys to have a role and how they are utilized will one of the key things to watch.