The Michigan passing game is going to be limited by their quarterback situation, which is currently completely up in the air.
Starting quarterback Brandon Peters — who began the season as the team’s third-string quarterback — is somewhere in the concussion protocol. If he is cleared, who is to say if he will even be able to play as he hasn’t been practicing.
If he can go, he still doesn’t necessarily open up Michigan’s passing game. Peters relies on his tight ends and running backs more than his receivers, though he did find freshman receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones more last week than he has in the previous three games.
Michigan will utilize multiple tight end sets and ample play-action. The effectiveness of the play-action may be lessened by the Wolverines’ inability to run, however.
If Peters cannot go, then the team will once again turn to John O’Korn, who began the season as the backup, but then took over for starter Wilton Speight when Speight was injured. O’Korn was then eventually benched due to ineffectiveness.
O’Korn is the most athletic of the three Michigan quarterbacks and can make plays when the blocking breaks down. He will also take his eyes off the play at the first sign of pressure, and his accuracy comes and goes regardless of pressure.
The Wolverines have been running their tight ends out wide like receivers, which will pit them against Ohio State’s cornerbacks. The tight ends will have the size advantage, but that’s a matchup that requires an accurate quarterback, and that’s something that the Wolverines have not had this season.
Michigan’s wide receivers have been very quiet this season. Grant Perry leads the team with 298 yards receiving, but has just 74 yards receiving over the Wolverines’ last six games. He was effective in the slot early in the season, so he has potential, but he has been quiet for a while now.
Michigan hasn’t thrown for 200 yards in a game in two months, so this sets up for a workable afternoon for the Buckeye pass defense.
That pass defense begins with OSU’s pass rush, which has been effective this season, but can be countered with quick passing. The quick passing isn’t something that Michigan excels at, however.
Despite throwing the ball less than all but three other Big Ten teams, the Wolverines are No. 11 in the Big Ten in sacks allowed. Ohio State’s pass rush could be very effective on Saturday as Michigan’s offensive tackles have had difficulties with talented pass rushers all season long. And the interior of the Wolverine offensive line is routinely susceptible to twists and stunts.
Ohio State’s linebacking situation is finally settled with Tuf Borland in the middle and Chris Worley at the Sam. Jerome Baker must not get caught looking where he shouldn’t be looking with as much play-actioning as Michigan will do this Saturday.
Matchup to Watch
OSU cornerback Denzel Ward vs. UM’s tight ends. I don’t even know if this matchup with happen, but Ward is Ohio State’s best cornerback, but he is also the smallest cornerback. As such, he would be at a considerable size disadvantage against any of Michigan’s tight ends. But can the UM quarterbacks throw it where Ward can’t get a hand on it? We’ve seen average quarterbacks have superhuman performances against this Buckeye pass defense. Will we see it again?
Don’t Be Surprised If
Michigan has their best passing game in months. Expect the unexpected. There will be big plays — including the annual running back screen that goes for days. Iowa has given Michigan the blueprint, but what the Wolverines won’t have going for them is the significant level of disinterest that was likely present when Ohio State went to Iowa a month ago. There is no trap game in Ann Arbor. The Buckeyes know exactly what they are walking into.
Advantage
Ohio State. The Buckeyes have held five opponents under 100 yards passing this season, but have also allowed three opponents to pass for at least 349 yards. Iowa threw for 244 yards, which would be a great number for Michigan, but there’s no way it should happen. The Wolverines don’t have the production at wide receiver that should carry over this weekend, and the Buckeyes have the kind of pass rush that is going to make the timing even worse for John O’Korn or Brandon Peters. It will take Michigan’s best passing game to beat the Buckeyes, and as we’ve seen a few times this season, that best game is always a possibility.
You beat OSU by passing. Michigan will throw more in this game then any other this season regardless of their QB. They have nothing to lose. This will be a LONG game time wise. If our Defensive line can get pressure we win. If not an upset. Well see!!!
Wish we didn’t have the bizarre caveats but you’re absolutely correct that this season they need to be there. To be fair, Lagow has looked much better of late after an early-season benching and Mayfield usually has field days against opponents that aren’t quite settled in, but there’s just no excuse for Iowa. I think I’m STILL in shock there.