Michigan Football: 5 Wolverines to watch against Georgia

C Andrew Vastardis (R. Sr, #68)

While McNamara is emblematic of Michigan football’s success in the passing attack, Vastardis is similarly emblematic of the success they may or may not have in the run game.

The Bulldogs boast an impressive, physical front seven, lead by star nose tackle Jordan Davis, an absolute monstrous human being (6’6, 340 lbs).

Davis was so dominant in shutting down opposing run games for the Bulldogs front that he actually finished ninth in the final Heisman voting, despite a lack of comparative stats to pass rushers like Aidan Hutchinson and Will Anderson.

If the Wolverines are going to have success running the football, that success will largely be a result of Vastardis and the rest of Michigan’s award-winning offensive line having themselves a tremendous game against the Bulldogs third-ranked run defense.

LB Joshua Ross (R. Sr, #12)

Went with Ross here because this is one where the Wolverines could find themselves at a disadvantage. Ross is particularly effective when going forward and stopping the run, but when asked to drop back and cover running backs and tight ends, the results have not been as pretty.

Georgia is particularly dangerous here, as they have arguably the best true freshman in the country in TE Brock Bowers, a 2nd Team All-American honoree by the Associated Press.

He has 47 receptions, 791 yards, and 11 touchdowns according to Georgia’s team site, and has been the focal point of their passing attack this season. If Ross is able to step up and shut Bowers down, that bodes quite well for Michigan’s chances at winning.