Michigan’s rushing attack
The real bread and butter for the Michigan Wolverines is their rushing attack. The Wolverines are led by a two-headed monster at running back in Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards. Corum finished this season ninth in the Heisman rankings coming off of a seventh-place finish in 2022. Blake Corum has been the bell cow back rushing 218 times for 1,028 yards and 24 touchdowns. Edwards has only rushed 109 times for 382 yards and three touchdowns. JJ McCarthy has shown the ability to create with his legs rushing for 146 yards and three touchdowns on the season.
The Wolverines suffered a massive loss for their rushing attack with a season-ending injury to All-American guard Zak Zinter. Zinter was far and away one of the best linemen in the country helping pave the way for Corum and Edwards. The loss of Zinter hasn’t affected Michigan as much as you’d expect so far but, facing interior linemen of Tim Keenan and Tim Smith’s caliber can provide problems for the Wolverines’ offensive line.
The Alabama Football team will likely show Michigan many loaded box looks early on in this football game to take away the Michigan rushing attack. The Alabama defense will need big performances from interior linemen Justin Eboigbe, Tim Keenan III, Tim Smith, and Jaheim Oatis. If the interior defensive linemen can help fill gaps leading to opportunities for Deontae Lawson, Trezmen Marshall, and Jihaad Campbell the Alabama defense can force the Wolverines into uncomfortable situations they haven’t faced this season. Edge defenders Dallas Turner and Chris Braswell will need to continue to set a strong edge to prevent big plays on the edges from Blake Corum.
Note: All Stats via ESPN