Off and running
Running the ball will be big at the Big House
By: Malamute, 14 August 2002

Usually, that is.

Last year, when Michigan and Washington met in Seattle, Michigan dominated the running game, 124 to 69 yards.

That anemic effort on the ground wasn't good enough for the Wolverines.

With ten minutes to go in a defensive struggle and ahead 12-6, they were pounding away at the Huskies' end of the field, about to take a two-score lead—a field goal or touchdown sending the Dawgs whimpering to their kennels.  

The Wolverines lined up for a field goal, ready to take a 9-point lead. Seconds later the unexpected happened.  Omare Lowe blocked the kick and Roc Alexander scooped up the ball and raced it back 77 yards for a touchdown. After Michigan got the ball back, Lowe intercepted a pass and ran it back 21 yards for a touchdown, giving the Huskies a 20-12 lead; the Dawgs won 23-18, in front of 74,000 howling fans.

Except for the final score, Michigan clearly dominated the stats in the last meeting (see Table 1).

Table 1. Statistics from last year's game (2001)

Both teams finished with identical records, 8-4 overall and 6-2 in their respective conferences. The Huskies lost to Texas in the Holiday Bowl, and Michigan lost to Tennessee in the Citrus Bowl. 

This year, the milieu will be different. Michigan gets the 2K2 version of the Dawgs at home, at the Big House, in front of 110,000 true-blue-loving fans. Not much purple will be showing.

Michigan coach Lloyd Carr will emphasize the running game this season. He fired offensive coordinator Stan Parrish and replaced him with Terry Malone, in order to restore the power running game. Last season his team averaged 146 yards per game on the ground, finishing ninth in the eleven-team Big Ten conference. Washington finished next to last in the Pac-10, averaging 111.7 running yards per game (see Table 3).

Not being able to run the ball on the road put too much pressure on Washington's quarterbacks and much maligned defense last season, and consequently the Huskies were blown out at UCLA, Oregon State, and Miami, all hostile venues. 

Table 2. Washington was blown out on the road in 2K1

As the table above shows, the Huskies were out-gained on the ground by all three teams (the opponent's rushing total is in the next to last column). Not being able to run the ball in the early going in these games was key to each loss, where costly turnovers led to easy scores for the opponent. The Huskies' passing attack was ineffective (first two columns).

The data from this table suggest that Washington's supersonic air attack will need some ground support. Against Michigan, it will be déjà vu again unless Neuheisel finds a way to run the ball. 

The task is formidable. Michigan held opponents to 90.1 rushing yards per game last season, and eight defensive starters return. 

"It's critical for us to find ways to run the ball," Neuheisel was quoted as saying recently. "We can't just rely on that little magic deal we had when Marques (Tuiasosopo) was the quarterback. Not to say we're not doing it. But we've got to find other ways of doing it that we can hang our hat on."

It's unlikely that Neuheisel will want to test Cody Pickett's newly repaired throwing shoulder by having him run the option, at least not too often. 

Which means that the Huskies must find another way to run the ball--the "magic deal" Tui provided. 

The shifty, nimble Taylor Barton could play some downs and run the option. At least provide the threat. 

Not too likely a scenario. 

A long shot would be for Neuheisel to test freshman sensation Isaiah Stanback at quarterback, especially inside the Red Zone, where the Huskies finished last in the Pac-10. It would give Michigan something to think about anyway. 

Desperate circumstances call for desperate measures. J

Table 3. Washington/Michigan Statistical Match Up