Preview: Michigan Offense vs. Ohio State Defense

 

Ohio State CB Denzel Burke (image via ESPN)

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RUSH OFFENSE vs. OHIO STATE RUSH DEFENSE
Michigan is #50 in rush offense (171 yards/game) and #54 in yards per carry (4.48). However, Michigan is tied for #31 - with Rich Rodriguez's Jackonsville State - in rushing touchdowns with 31. Blake Corum has 180 carries for 888 yards and 20 touchdowns, the last of which leads the nation. Backup Donovan Edwards is averaging 3.4 yards per carry, which is dead last among qualifying running backs in the Big Ten. The Wolverines have suffered a couple blows in recent weeks, first losing left tackle La'Darius Henderson and then losing his backup, Myles Hinton. Last week that forced right tackle Karsen Barnhart to the left side, moving Trente Jones from his "extra OL" spot to right tackle. Michigan averaged just 3.33 yards/carry against Maryland last week, but stand-in head coach Sherrone Moore said he expects Hinton and Henderson to be ready for The Game. Ohio State is #21 in rush defense (108.6 yards allowed/game) and a matching #21 in yards allowed per carry (3.32). They have allowed just 3 rushing touchdowns all season, the last of which came against Maryland on October 7. Of all teams, Rutgers managed the biggest day running against the Buckeyes, going for 232 yards on 43 carries. Senior inside linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (6'2", 239 lbs.) leads the team in tackles with 75, followed by senior LB Steele Chambers (6'1", 232) and sophomore CB Davison Igbinosun (6'2", 190) with 62 and 48, respectively. Ohio State is tied for #71 in tackles for loss with 5.64 per game, led by junior DT Tyleik Williams (6'2", 290) with 10.0 and junior DE Jack Sawyer (6'4", 265) with 6.0. Williams has been outstanding on the interior.
Advantage: Ohio State

PASS OFFENSE vs. OHIO STATE PASS DEFENSE
Michigan is #64 in passing offense (228.6 yards/game) and #4 in passing efficiency. They're #7 in yards per attempt with 9.5. J.J. McCarthy had an off week last week when he went 12/23 for 141 yards, 0 touchdowns, and 1 interception, and he has not thrown a touchdown pass since October 21, when he threw for 4 scores against a terrible Michigan State squad. His Heisman hopes have dwindled with his numbers paling in comparison to some other players, but he's still one of the better QBs in the nation. He seemed to get banged up a couple weeks ago and looked off against Maryland. The bigger concern is the health of WR Roman Wilson, who was hit hard on a catch over the middle against the Terps (on which Maryland's safety should have been ejected for targeting) and left the game. There are some who say that was only for precautionary reasons, but basically, he was taken out because of a possible concussion and his status is unknown. Otherwise, Michigan doesn't have great speed at the receiver position, and Wilson's absence could be a problem. At one time he led the country in receiving touchdowns, although now he's tied for 11th. Michigan also had a lot of problems protecting McCarthy the past two weeks. Barnhart has been a turnstile against both Penn State and Maryland, and things don't get a ton easier against Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau of the Buckeyes. Ohio State has the #1 pass defense in the nation, giving up just 144.3 yards/game, 4.7 yards/attempt, and a 92.71 passing efficiency. They're #15 in pass breakups (49) but they're tied for 97th in interceptions (7). Junior CB Denzel Burke (6'1", 190) has 9 PBU and 1 INT, while senior safety Josh Proctor (6'2", 205) has 8 PBU and 1 INT. The only player with multiple interceptions is junior CB Jordan Hancock (6'1", 185), who has 2 picks and 5 PBU. Senior safety Lathan Ransom (6'1", 210) has missed the last three games, allowing Hancock to play more. Ohio State is tied for #86 in sacks (1.91 per game), led by Tuimoloau (4.0), Williams (3.0), and Sawyer (2.5).
Advantage: Ohio State