The Michigan Wolverines host the Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday, and just like every season, the rushing battle will play a key role in who comes out on top. There are plenty of factors that will go into
deciding a winner, but the team with more rushing yards has won every matchup since 2000. It’s clear just how important the run game is.
Both teams are among the nation’s best in run offense and defense, so the team that establishes the ground game sooner will be in a good position to win. Michigan’s offense is second in the Big Ten with 5.59 yards per carry, while Ohio State’s defense leads the Big Ten with 2.67 yards allowed per carry and 80.0 rushing yards allowed per game.
“They have great players, we have great players. It usually comes down to the running back room and how we perform — that’s without the ball and with the ball,” Michigan running back Jordan Marshall told the media on Tuesday. “For me, it’s just about how I put myself in position to help this team win every single snap. I’m just excited to go out and play in the best rivalry in sports.”
The Wolverines’ run defense isn’t as stout as Ohio State’s, but it’s not far behind – ranking second in the Big Ten in yards allowed per carry (2.98) and third in rushing yards allowed per game (94.0). On the other side, Ohio State’s run offense has been solid but not great, as it currently ranks seventh in the Big Ten in rushing yards per game (170.2).
Ohio State’s rushing stats don’t jump off the page but that doesn’t mean they won’t pose a threat to the Wolverines. The Buckeyes have a physical offensive line and a plethora of talented running backs, including Bo Jackson, James Peoples and CJ Donaldson.
Michigan defensive lineman Derrick Moore knows Ohio State’s offensive line can’t be taken lightly.
“Looking at that offensive line and watching it on film, I feel like it will be a challenge for us,” Moore said. “They are a big and physical group. I feel like they want to be really physical. They play together and are just very well connected. They are going to be one of the best offensive lines that we get to go against this year, so it’s going to be a challenge.”
Michigan has had three running backs — Marshall, Justice Haynes and Bryson Kuzdzal — record at least one game with 100 rushing yards and three touchdowns. With Haynes sidelined with a foot injury, Marshall will attempt to carry the Wolverines’ rushing attack, with Kuzdzal being leaned upon at times as well.
Marshall explained what he saw from Kuzdzal’s career-best performance in the win at Maryland last week.
“He’s a great player. He has so much confidence now and he’s going to be such a critical piece throughout the game,” Marshall said of Kuzdzal. “He runs hard and physical. That’s what we rely on, and what we preach in our running back room is being rugged at the goal line. It’s really exciting to see him run. You see all of our guys making plays. It’s not just one guy in our room.”
Michigan running backs coach Tony Alford is a pivotal part of the Wolverines’ rushing attack, and he will look to help pull off another win over his former program. Despite being without Haynes and Marshall last week, Michigan didn’t miss a beat with Kuzdzal, and head coach Sherrone Moore made sure to credit Alford.
“Tony has been outstanding ever since we hired him. I knew he was a home run hire for a recruiting and developmental standpoint, and now the proof is in the pudding,” Moore said on Monday. “We had a third running back rush for 100 yards because they run hard and physical, and he demands that out of all of them. It’s awesome to watch.”
Michigan has dominated the ground game in recent years, resulting in four straight wins in the rivalry. But Ohio State’s elite run defense will be difficult for the Wolverines to find success against. There’s no doubt the run game will have a say in this year’s outcome, as it has since 2000, so Marshall and Kuzdzal will have to do all they can to find success on the ground and help Michigan win a fifth straight over the Buckeyes.
