The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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NOVEMBER 2023 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 33 ❱ MICHIGAN FOOTBALL Five Best Players 1. Junior quarterback J.J. McCarthy The 6-foot-3, 202-pounder has been one of the best players in the coun- try, let alone his team, this season, and he's rising by the week. He threw 8 touchdown passes against no interceptions during the four-game span, finishing with a 70-plus completion percentage each game. He's also rushed for 3 touchdowns during that stretch. 2. Senior right guard Zak Zinter The 6-foot-6, 322-pounder is playing at an elite level. He's taken his game up a notch the last several weeks, and the run attack has improved along with that. He currently ranks second among Big Ten guards in overall Pro Football Fo- cus (PFF) rating (77.4) and in run blocking (76.1). He's fifth within that same group in pass protection (79.4), allowing just 1 pressure and no sacks. Zinter has been key on many of Michigan's touchdowns and best runs. 3. Senior wide receiver Roman Wilson Wilson's touchdown-scoring pace has slowed down a bit, but that was inevitable after he scored 6 times in the first three outings. He's had 3 touch- down catches in the four-contest period, and posted 56 or more receiving yards in three of those four. He's McCarthy's go-to target, especially when plays break down. Four of his 9 touchdown receptions have occurred on what Sports Info Solutions considers 'broken plays.' 4. Senior defensive tackle Kris Jenkins Jenkins, like Zinter, is another whose impact goes beyond the box score. The 6-foot-3, 305-pounder is taking on frequent double teams, which frees up his teammates. Over the last four clashes, Jenkins has totaled 7 tackles, including 1 behind the line of scrimmage, and added 3 pressures. He's been great against the run, with his 84.8 PFF run-defense rat- ing slotting third among Big Ten interior defensive linemen (min. 40 snaps), while U-M sophomore Ma- son Graham slots second at 85.9. 5. Senior running back Blake Corum Corum's presence on the Michi- gan offense is invaluable. He had 901 rushing yards through seven games last season but 'only' has 546 this season. That comes on 50 less carries, though, with Michigan vowing to "keep the tread on the tire" and not overwork its running backs. Corum rushed for 97 yards and 2 scores in a 31-7 win over Rut- gers Sept. 23 and went for 50-plus yards in every game this season. He's nearly automatic at the goal line, too. Of his 15 rushes from the opponent's 5-yard line or closer, 12 have gone for touchdowns. His dozen rushing scores led the nation through Oct. 15. Key Moment Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano could've attempted a 44-yard field goal down 17-7 late in the third quarter Sept. 23 — making it a one-possession game if his very good kicker made it — but he opted to roll the dice. The Wolverines blew up a screen pass, and graduate defensive back Mike Sainristil plucked the ball out of the air amid traffic for an interception, returning it 71 yards for a score. Bing, bang, boom — Michigan led 24-7. The game was all but over at that point, and the Wolverines ran away with the 31-7 victory. Best Highlight On Michigan's opening drive of the 45-7 win over Nebraska Sept. 30, Mc- Carthy gave Wilson, his favorite target, a chance in the end zone. The 6-foot, 192-pounder came down with a ridiculous catch, pinning the ball against Nebraska safety Isaac Gifford's helmet, holding on for dear life and getting his feet in bounds for the 29-yard touchdown. Bold Prediction McCarthy will be one of four finalists for the Heisman Trophy, presented annually to the nation's most outstanding player. While his passing yardage (1,512) and touchdown (14) stats don't jump off the page, he's extremely efficient, leading the nation with a 78.2 completion percentage and ranking tied for third with 10.6 yards per attempt. He has big games ahead — namely against Penn State and Ohio State, and potentially the Big Ten championship — which will provide him with opportunities to have his 'Heisman moment.' He currently has the third-best odds to win the nation's most prestigious individual award (+1000), behind Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (-150) and Oklahoma signal-caller Dillon Gabriel (+800), according to the DraftKings Sportsbook. — Clayton Sayfie Superlatives For Michigan's Four Games From Sept. 23 To Oct. 14 After scoring twice against Indiana, senior running back Blake Corum (2) led the nation with 12 rushing TDs in seven games. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL