Ohio State-Michigan Position Preview: Running Backs and More

Running Backs If Ohio State didn’t have Beanie Wells, the matchup would be a whole lot closer. That said, OSU does have Beanie and a capable Boom Herron. Michigan has approximately 37 players that could run the ball, most likely sideways, and none of them do it effectively. Sam McGuffie (could be a threat, someday) apparently had a death in the family and won’t be playing in the game. If that doesn’t fuel rumors of him transferring, I don’t know what will. Beanie Wells and Boom Herron vs. Brandon Minor and...Michael Shaw? The real difference is Beanie. He laid down 222 on Michigan last year, hurt, in the cold, Michigan knew it was coming, and they were better last year. Boom came in as the backup to Beanie and did as well as anyone could have imagined with the poor offensive line play. With McGuffie out, Minor has played Ohio State before, ineffectively, and Michael Shaw is a true freshman that leads UM running backs in YPC at 5.8 yards on 30 carries.  ... (link)