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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — While most of the talk heading into Michigan’s game on Saturday hosting arch-rival Ohio State seems to be focused on either stalling the vaunted Buckeyes offensive attack or just how high-flying the Wolverines have suddenly become on offense themselves, there’s one big factor that could impede the ability of the latter.
Chase Young.
The OSU star defensive end has been an absolute force this year, with 19.5 tackles for loss and an astounding 16.5 sacks — and he missed two games due to suspension. Young leads the nation in sacks and is third in TFLs, and it’ll be incumbent upon Michigan’s offensive line to keep him at bay if the maize and blue want to have a chance in The Game.
Which is easier said than done, given that he creates havoc, averaging 1.83 sacks-per-game.
“He’s a tremendous football player, extremely athletic,” Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh said. “Very physical. Shows up at the ball. He’s a tremendous pass rusher.”
Michigan State is the only team that’s seemingly kept him out of the backfield, as Young only had a half a sack and one tackle for loss in that game. Otherwise, he’s gotten at least 1-and-1, respectively.
While Michigan left guard Ben Bredeson won’t likely be tasked much with young being on the OL interior — lest Young come in on a stunt — he’s aware of the challenge his unit is about to face on that front,
Nonetheless, he’s relying on the coaching staff’s ability to scheme around him and finding different ways to stall him out.
“He’s a special player, he’s got a lot of talent,” Bredeson said. “We’ve played a lot of players, a lot of teams who have special players like that. There’s different ways to attack him, attack the defensive front. I know we’re going to have a good scheme for him and for that defensive front in general.”
But it won’t just be on the offensive line.
The tight ends will be just as crucial, as could the running backs. That’s why Nick Eubanks — who’s taken it upon himself this offseason to improve greatly in pass protection — is on high alert.
Still — he’s confident that Michigan will get the job done on that front.
“It’ll be very important,” Eubanks said. “That’s one thing we’ll probably emphasize on this week in terms of preparing for this ball game. We’ll try — as a matter of fact, we’ll do instead of trying — try to prevent him from getting into the backfield.”
Will Michigan succeed in keeping Young from getting to Shea Patterson? We’ll know more on Saturday, when the Wolverines host the Buckeyes at The Big House. Kickoff is slated for noon EST.
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