What Michigan does well on offense, and how Ohio State may look to counter

CLEVELAND, Ohio - In this age of spread offenses, college quarterbacks are often judged by the sheer numbers they produce.

Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy has thrown for a modest 5,429 yards, with 45 passing touchdowns, and added 601 yards rushing, with 10 rushing touchdowns.

Numbers, however, only provide a small glimpse of what McCarthy means to coach Jim Harbaugh and the Michigan football program.

The Wolverines are a run-first team that relies on both the offensive line and tailbacks, Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards.

What’s scary is that McCarthy could carry the offense like Caleb Williams at USC or Michael Penix Jr. at Washington, but the Wolverines don’t need him to do that. His leadership, selflessness, and mental toughness make him the unquestioned leader of a team that is looking to beat Ohio State on Saturday, then win another Big Ten title.

Here are three things that make McCarthy and the Michigan offense work, and how OSU can counter:

The Michigan offensive line is coming off back-to-back Joe Moore Awards given to the best offensive front in college football. This year’s unit is just as physical and nasty as in 2021 and 2022.

Through 10 games, Michigan has 1.958 yards rushing with 31 touchdowns. This powerful run game forces defenses to move their safeties forward and load the box with at least eight defenders.

This commitment to stop Michigan’s run game puts tremendous pressure on the corners to cover in man coverage, with minimal safety help over the top. These loaded boxes also limit the number of coverages a defense can play, which makes for easy pass progressions for McCarthy.

How can Ohio State answer the run game?

The Buckeyes’ defensive front has just as much talent, if not more, than the Michigan offensive line, but must get lined up correctly and limit explosive runs. The past two years the Buckeye defense has given up 549 yards rushing on 76 carries for a staggering 7.2 yards per carry when playing Michigan.

Below, we break down a play from last year’s game. The Wolverines will flip their tackle and tight end, which gives them three offensive linemen and the center to the left.

They will then bring tight end Colston Loveland across the formation for another big body on the split zone look.

Ohio State will align with a 2i (inside the guard) and a wide stand up 9 (outside the tight end) to that side on a second and 1. The Buckeyes are aligned poorly, leave two gaps open, and simply do not have enough bodies on that side. The play results in an easy 12-yard run for the Wolverines. Below the pictures is a clip of the same play.

This play from the 2022 game results in an easy 12-yard run for the Wolverines.Lance Reisland, special to cleveland.com

This play from the 2022 game results in an easy 12-yard run for the Wolverines.Lance Reisland, special to cleveland.com

Below is another example of poor alignment from the Buckeye defense, along with poor angles from the linebackers and safety, Lathan Ransom, on a 75-yard touchdown run from Edwards.

On multiple occasions, the Ohio State linebackers got too close to the line of scrimmage and caught up in all the traffic. Ransom, and the other safeties must take better angles and make sure they are solid tacklers as the last line of defense. Below the pictures is a clip of the same play.

On multiple occasions during last year's game, the Ohio State linebackers got too close to the line of scrimmage and caught up in all the traffic.Lance Reisland, special to cleveland.com

On multiple occasions during last year's game, the Ohio State linebackers got too close to the line of scrimmage and caught up in all the traffic.Lance Reisland, special to cleveland.com

On multiple occasions during last year's game, the Ohio State linebackers got too close to the line of scrimmage and caught up in all the traffic.Lance Reisland, special to cleveland.com

McCarthy has improved his completion percentage from 64.6% in 2022 to 76.2 in 2023.

The Michigan signal caller has impressive, consistent mechanics from the pocket with his release point and footwork. More remarkable is his ability to make accurate throws from different platforms and arm angles when the play breaks down and he is on the run.

How can Ohio State effect McCarthy’s accuracy?

Pressure, pressure, pressure.

The Buckeyes need to create pressure using just their defensive line. That will allow their linebackers and secondary players to mix up coverages and potentially confuse McCarthy. Defensive ends JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer must dominate, and force McCarthy off his intended spot to make him uncomfortable.

Without question, the skill that has made McCarthy a possible first-round NFL Draft pick in the spring is his ability to keep plays alive with his feet. From subtle movement in the pocket to full scrambles, McCarthy is able to make key plays when his team most needs him.

Below is a clip of McCarthy escaping the pocket and keeping the play alive. As the play starts, an Indiana player is unblocked, but McCarthy makes him miss and scrambles out of the pocket. He then flips the ball sideways to Edwards for a 16-yard gain.

How can the Buckeyes prevent McCarthy from extending plays?

Although the Michigan quarterback has been good in the pocket, the Buckeyes need to keep him there. When the play breaks down and he leaves the pocket, he becomes even more dangerous.

However, if he does get out, the Buckeye secondary must stay connected to the Michigan receivers, especially Roman Wilson. Wilson has 36 receptions for 589 yards and 10 touchdowns, making him a go-to guy for McCarthy.

What we learned

Michigan will enter the big game with the more experienced quarterback. J.J. McCarthy is quite talented, but is just one piece of the offensive puzzle. The Buckeyes must stop the run and disrupt his rhythm to beat the Wolverines in Ann Arbor.