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MICHIGAN
Michigan has been one of the top rushing teams in the country for the entire season. They currently rank #9 (223.9 yards/game) and are tied for 11th in yards per carry (5.31). They’re also #3 in rushing touchdowns with 39 total, topped only by Army, who have 210 more attempts, and Air Force, who have 233 more. Michigan has also allowed the fewest tackles for loss in the country with 2.08 per game; the two closest teams are Air Force and Wisconsin, who are allowed 3.42 per game. It has truly been a remarkable season for the rushing attack.
Redshirt junior running back Hassan Haskins is #7 in the country in rushing attempts (261), #13 with 1,288 rushing yards, and tied for #3 in rushing touchdowns (20). At 6’1″ and 225 lbs. with the ability to twist, contort, get skinny, and hurdle defensive backs, he’s difficult for one man to bring down. Sophomore Blake Corum is second on the team and still an impressive #54 in rushing yards this season with 939 and tied for #45 in rushing touchdowns with 11. His 6.66 yards per carry are #22 in the country. It’s also important to note backup quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who has 23 carries for 100 yards and 2 touchdowns this year. He has factored more and more into the running game as the season has gone along; over the last three games, he has 8 carries for 54 yards and 1 touchdown. While he won’t put up gaudy numbers, he’s a nice changeup for starting quarterback Cade McNamara, who’s not much of a run threat.
Michigan’s offensive line won the Joe Moore Award after being voted the top offensive line in the country. There are no real individual standouts, but they play very well as a unit. Andrew Stueber has been the top player on the line at right tackle, and center Andrew Vastardis has done a very good job this year as a sixth year walk-on.
Hit the jump for more.
GEORGIA
The Bulldogs are the #2 rushing defense in the country with just 81.7 yards allowed per game. They have given up just 3 touchdowns (#1) and are #3 in yards allowed per carry at 2.61.
Junior safety Lewis Cine (6’1″, 200) and junior inside linebacker Nakobe Dean (6’0″, 225) lead the team with 61 tackles each, while senior inside linebacker Channing Tindall (6’2″, 235) and senior inside linebacker Quay Walker (6’4″, 240) have 58 and 53 stops, respectively. Georgia is #34 in tackles for loss with 6.54 per game, led by Dean and sophomore defensive tackle Jalen Carter (6’3″, 310) with 8.5 each.
Along with those speedy inside linebackers, Georgia’s run defense is powered by 6’6″, 360 lb. nose tackle Jordan Davis, who got a few votes for the Heisman this season. Davis didn’t put up great numbers – he’s a nose tackle, after all – but he does really flash on film. He made 28 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks this season, but his real effect is the way he lets those linebackers roam from sideline to sideline. Davis constantly faces double teams and requires a lot of focus from opposing offensive lines.
PATH TO VICTORY
Michigan has run the ball inside for much of the season, but they might need to get a little out of their comfort zone. Davis is difficult to handle inside, and I would like to see Michigan get Davis running laterally to wear him out. He does have a tendency to get winded, so outside zone and pin-and-pull plays might help the Wolverines soften him up early. However, I don’t think Michigan will be able to pound the ball at will like they have against some other teams this season, such as Iowa and Washington. Michigan will need to set up the play action pass with the run game, so if they do incorporate some outside zone – which they have not done much of this season – expect to see a wrinkle or two off it, such as bootlegs, a reverse, or a reverse pass.
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