The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1503142
THE WOLVERINE 2023 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 133 BY CLAYTON SAYFIE Michigan and Ohio State fans can agree on something: Last New Year's Eve didn't go as planned. Both teams were in the College Football Playoff semifinal but fell to TCU (51-45) and Georgia (42-41), the eventual national champion, respec- tively. The Buckeyes were a 50-yard, walk-off field goal away from beating the Bulldogs, but Noah Ruggles shanked the kick wide left. That meant OSU, which was embar- rassed by U-M on its home field, 45-23, ended the season on two straight losses for the first time since 2011. Fifth-year head coach Ryan Day has lost only six of 51 games since taking over for Urban Meyer, but two of them have come against the Wolverines. He's 1-2 against the bitter rival, creating some discomfort in Columbus. It'll be up to a new starting quarter- back to turn around those fortunes this fall. Junior Kyle McCord came out of the spring with a commanding lead on soph- omore Devin Brown and looks like a great bet to be the starter. He's thrown for 606 yards and 3 touchdowns with 2 intercep- tions as a backup the last two seasons. The last three OSU starting signal-call- ers have become first-round NFL Draft picks, so he's got big shoes to fill. OSU has finished top-three nation- ally in scoring offense in three of Day's four seasons. He'll relinquish some of the play-calling duties to new coordinator Brian Hartline, but he's helmed prolific offenses every year, and this one should be no different thanks to the numerous playmakers at the skill positions. Junior wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. is ESPN analyst Todd McShay's pro- jected No. 2 overall draft pick for next spring. He hauled in 77 receptions for 1,263 yards and 14 touchdowns as a unanimous All-American in 2022. In fact, the team's four leading receiv- ers from last season are back, including junior Emeka Egbuka (74 catches, 1,151 yards, 10 touchdowns). On3 ranks the OSU wide receiver room the best in the nation. Just two starters return on the offen- sive line, with three having been NFL Draft picks this spring. The Buckeyes also have one of the deepest running back rooms in the country, led by senior Miyan Williams (825 yards, 14 touchdowns in 11 games) and junior TreVeyon Henderson (571 yards and 6 scores in eight appear- ances). The Ohio State defense went through a reboot last offseason, with Day bringing in coordinator Jim Knowles from Okla- homa State. The group made a big leap, going from 59th in the country in total defense in 2021 to 14th in 2022. However, it allowed more than 500 yards and 8.8- plus yards per play to both U-M (530, 8.8) and Georgia (533, 8.9). Knowles has reportedly made some tweaks to his aggressive scheme this off- season, hoping they'll pay off in big mo- ments. The talent is there defensively. Three of the five returning starters were named preseason All-Big Ten by Athlon Sports — junior defensive end JT Tuimoloau, graduate linebacker Tommy Eichenberg and senior safety Lathan Ransom. Defen- sive end Zach Harrison was a third-round NFL Draft pick, but most of the unit's key contributors are still on the roster. The dynamic Tuimoloau has proven he can take over games. He forced 4 turn- overs (2 interceptions, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery) against Penn State and totaled 4.5 sacks for the season. Eichen- berg ranked tied for second in the Big Ten with 120 tackles, including 12 behind the line of scrimmage, and Ransom recorded 74 tackles, 3.5 stops for loss and 1 inter- ception. Junior Denzel Burke is seeking to be- come a lockdown cornerback, and the Buckeyes added former Ole Miss corner Davison Igbinosun, a sophomore who's ranked as the third-best player at his po- sition to transfer this offseason. Notes The Buckeyes slotted second nationally with 44.2 points per game in 2022, and they've topped 44 per game in each of the last five seasons … They gener- ated 42 plays of 30-plus yards last fall, the fifth-most in the country. ❑ New QB, But Lots Of Talent Returning For Ohio State 2023 SCHEDULE Date Opponent 2022 Result Sept. 2 at Indiana W, 56-14 Sept. 9 Youngstown State — Sept. 16 Western Kentucky — Sept. 23 at Notre Dame W, 21-10 Oct. 7 Maryland W, 43-30 Oct. 14 at Purdue — Oct. 21 Penn State W, 44-31 Oct. 28 at Wisconsin W, 52-21 Nov. 4 at Rutgers W, 49-10 Nov. 11 Michigan State W, 49-20 Nov. 18 Minnesota — Nov. 25 at Michigan L, 45-23 PLAYERS TO WATCH Offense: Marvin Harrison Jr., Jr., WR — Ac- cording to Pro Football Focus' wins above aver- age metric, he was the most valuable wideout in the country in 2022. He had seven games of 100-plus yards last season. Defense: JT Tuimoloau, Jr., DE — He was named the No. 26 player in the country entering the 2023 season by On3. GAME 12 • OHIO STATE BUCKEYES • NOV. 25 • 12 P.M. (FOX) QUICK FACTS All-Time Series: Michigan leads 60-52-6 First Meeting: U-M 34, OSU 0 (Oct. 16, 1897, in Ann Arbor, Mich.) Last Meeting: U-M 45, OSU 23 (Nov. 26, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio) Head Coach: Ryan Day, 45-6 (5th year) at Ohio State and overall 2022 In Review: 11-2, 8-1 Big Ten (2nd East) Final 2022 Ranking: 4th Associated Press, 4th Coaches Returning Starters: 14 (7 offense, 5 defense, 2 specialists) Last Bowl Appearance: 2022 (Peach Bowl vs. Georgia, L 42-41) RETURNING LEADERS Passing: Kyle McCord (190 yards, 1 TD) Rushing: Miyan Williams (825 yards, 14 TD) Receiving: Marvin Harrison Jr. (1,263 yards, 14 TD) Tackles: Tommy Eichenberg (120) Sacks: Michael Hall Jr., Jack Sawyer (4.5) Interceptions: Steele Chambers, JT Tuimoloau (2) Junior wide receiver Emeka Egbuka was named second-team All-Big Ten a year ago. PHOTO BY CHAD WEAVER