Michigan football: Previewing the Wolverines against Ohio State
Michigan’s offense: how to beat the Buckeyes
As Michigan football and Ohio State gear up for what could be the Big Ten’s game of the year, the Wolverines offense will need to handle their business against Ohio State’s defense. Though the Buckeye defense looked phenomenal against Michigan State, they have not been overly impressive thus far in the season.
Ohio State will enter this weekend’s game ranked 44th in total defense, 16th in scoring defense, and 68th in red-zone defense. Like Michigan, the Buckeye’s strong point is their pass rush, ranked 9th in the country in team sacks.
If Michigan wants to win this game, the Wolverine offensive line will need to hold off the Buckeyes. The good news for Michigan fans is that the Wolverines currently boast one of the nation’s best offensive lines, ranked 5th in sacks allowed and 1st in tackles for loss allowed.
This game will be determined by the battle in the trenches between two great offensive and defensive lines.
Michigan’s passing game has been a question mark all year; however, against Maryland, the Wolverines did not fail to impress.
Starting quarterback, Cade McNamara went 21-28 with 259 yards and two touchdowns. Back-up quarterback, true-freshman J.J. McCarthy also went 5/5 for 58 yards and a touchdown, along with his two carries for 19 yards and a touchdown. This dual-quarterback threat may cause issues for Ohio State’s defense, ranked 98th in passing yards allowed.
Michigan’s offense has thrived off of one thing all season long: running the ball. Though the status of sophomore running back Blake Corum is still largely unknown, he may make his return to the field against the Buckeyes this Saturday after going down with an ankle injury against Indiana.
Even if Corum is unable to play, senior sensation Hassan Haskins will be able to pick up the workload as he has done all season long.
Haskins, who has accumulated 1,063 yards and 13 touchdowns on the season, has been Michigan’s workhorse in a run-heavy offense. Haskins will likely get many carries along with Corum (if healthy) and freshman Donovan Edwards, who caught 10 passes for 170 yards and a touchdown against Maryland last Saturday.
If Michigan’s offensive line can hold off the Buckeyes and establish the run and short passing games, they should eventually open up the deep ball and make more significant plays.
The ability to find the weak spots in Ohio State’s run and pass defense will be Michigan’s key to victory on offense. The biggest threat to the Wolverines will be Ohio State’s offense tested against a near-elite Michigan defense.