3 reasons Michigan Football needs to air it out in 2022

Michigan football will need to throw the ball more in 2022 and here are three reasons why the Wolverines need to have success airing it out. 

In 2021, Michigan football had one of the most potent rushing attacks in the country. The Wolverines averaged 214.4 yards per game on the ground, which was good for 15th nationally. More importantly, the Wolverines were able to run the ball effectively in pivotal moments. That was punctuated by a 297 yard and 5 touchdown effort against the hated Buckeyes.

Michigan football will have one of the top running back duos in the country in Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards. It also returns three starters on the offensive line and adds an All-American center in Victor Oluwatimi.

Michigan’s running game should be strong once again, however it may look different.  In fact, the Wolverines may be better off throwing the ball more in 2022 and here are three reasons why.

Replacing Hassan Haskins Will Be Tough

One of the things that made Michigan’s running game so successful last season was that it had a true “thunder and lightning” tandem with Hassan Haskins and Blake Corum.

Haskins could wear a defense down before Corum came in and dashed off for a big gain. Haskins was also money in short yardage situations and helped the Wolverines sustain drives. Haskins is now a member of the Tennessee Titans and Michigan will need to find someone to grind out the tough yards.

Despite being 5-foot-8 and 200 pounds, Corum is an effective runner between the tackles. However, running him up the middle 20 times per game would not be the best use of his skill set.

Edwards joins Corum as the 1A/1B in Michigan football’s backfield this season. Edwards is now listed 6-foot and 202 pounds and may be in line to take on some of Haskins’ load.

However like Corum, he is more lightning than thunder. In fact, one of the sticking points in his recruitment was picking a school that would involve him in its passing game. Tavierre Dunlap and Kalel Mullings are two other candidates to fill the short-yardage role.

However, Michigan should be mindful of involving them in other situations. Defenses will stack the box if they see Dunlap and Mullings only coming in on short-yardage situations.

I think we could see Michigan run more outside zone plays to get Corum and Edwards to the edge more. The Wolverines could also use short passes as an extension of the running game. Corum and Edwards both caught 20+ passes last season, which could be on the rise this season, especially for Edwards.

Screen passes and swing routes to the backs and bubble screens to the perimeter could help Michigan pick up easy yardage and set up manageable situations on second and third down.

It will also provide easy completions for the quarterback to get into a rhythm and boost his completion percentage.