Michigan Football: Jake Rudock x-factor in Wolverines’ Big Ten title hopes
By Mark Rogers
Jake Rudock started out slow in his first year with the Michigan Wolverines, but now the road to a win against Ohio State and a Big Ten championship rest on his arm after a record-breaking game.
Michigan is back to playing Michigan football. Jim Harbaugh’s arrival has not only brought back winning, but has instilled old school approach back in the offense. Michigan football is unmistakable in this day of read option running games and spread the field five-wide passing attacks. Give me a tight end who actually blocks. Heck, its short yardage, give me two. Fullback? Dust one off and get them in the game.
The new, old style approach has worked in becoming relevant in the national discussion and respected by opponents. Michigan is establishing the run like Bo Schembechler would want. The Wolverines run:pass ratio before Saturday was 60:40. Then came Indiana and they deviated from their plan.
For more on the Michigan-Indiana game and the Wolverines’ offensive approach, you can listen to the following podcast.
In Michigan’s unexpected 48-41 overtime struggle at Bloomington, the Wolverines opened up the passing game. Quarterback Jake Rudock set a school record with six touchdowns passes after completing 32 of 46 passes for 440 yards. And while these numbers are foreign to Michigan’s approach, the road to a Big Ten title may have to come through the air.
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Michigan’s last two opponents, Penn State and Ohio State, boast strong rush defenses. The Nittany Lions (152 ypg) and Buckeyes (126 ypg) are both top third in the nation against the run. There is no question the Wolverines want to run and will try to run. Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Tim Drevno just can’t be stubborn about it.
De’veon Smith is a back that few defenders enjoy hitting. He is strong, determined and tough to bring down, but he is not a game changer.
Michigan’s big play weapons are on the perimeter in Amara Darboh (45 receptions, 567 yards, four touchdowns) and Jehu Chesson (33 receptions, 466 yards, seven touchdowns) and include one of the nation’s best all-around tight ends in Jake Butt (38 receptions, 500 yards, two touchdowns).
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Michigan will play its game regardless of who is on the other side of the line of scrimmage. That means plenty of running between the tackles. The Wolverines, however, will close out 2015 with double-digit wins only if they lean toward the Indiana model and let it fly.