ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Usually, the team that runs the football better in The Game goes home with bragging rights. Chances are, the same will be said on Saturday as Michigan football and Ohio State meet undefeated for the second straight year.
The Buckeyes have gotten junior tailback TreVeyon Henderson going three of the last four weeks after he returned from injury, and while the Wolverines’ running game hasn’t been quite as electric as the past two years, a pulverizing performance against Penn State proved that Michigan can put it together when it needs to.
The maize and blue have won two straight against OSU and have outrushed the Buckeyes in both. Senior left guard Trevor Keegan says the team is preparing for a similar challenge as Penn State, knowing they’ll need to run the ball while Ohio State will assuredly work to stop it.
“It’s gonna be a battle — and we know that,” Keegan said. “The past few years, we’ve been able to rush the ball on them, and they’re gonna do everything — I think they would do everything to try and stop the run, which a lot of teams have. And we’re just gonna have to figure out new ways to get hats on hats, get better rushing lanes, and really just all be on cue and in-sync — point where we’re going and everything like that. So it’s gonna be super important, vital, for this game to come out with a victory.”
Perhaps the key to unlocking everything is quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who has the ability not only to extend plays with his legs, but when he keeps, it adds another dimension to the run game.
Last year, McCarthy only kept six times for 27 yards, but he made timely runs, extending drives and keeping OSU off-balance. Keegan notes that McCarthy’s ability to be multidimensional will likely be a big factor in the game.
“Definitely his legs, just a player he is, he just makes something happen,” Keegan said. “And it’s special because instead of having an extra hat, just him running the ball that leaves a guy short. So whatever J.J. does, we’re right there, trusting him. He’s a playmaker, he makes magic happen. So it’s a really cool thing.”
The caveat? McCarthy got hurt in the Penn State game and appeared limited both in Week 11 and the ensuing week against Maryland. However, at least as of Tuesday evening, Keegan felt that he didn’t see any limitations in the quarterback’s ability to use his legs. Asked if he’d be full strength, Keegan’s reply was simple:
“Yeah, I think so.”
We won’t know for sure until Saturday at 12:17 p.m. EST when Michigan football and Ohio State kick off.