3 reasons the Michigan football rushing attack will be better than ever in 2023

The Michigan football rushing attack is looking better than ever heading into the 2023 college football season. The Wolverines boast some of the best running backs and an outstanding offensive line, making the Maize and Blue appear virtually unstoppable when it comes to running the football. This fall, Michigan will aim to secure a third consecutive Big Ten title and earn a spot in the College Football Playoff.

Michigan football running back room better than ever in 2023

Michigan football running back coach, Mike Hart, will lead the nation’s most prolific RB room. The Wolverines’ rushing attack will be spearheaded by senior Blake Corum, who came close to Heisman Trophy contention last season with his impressive rushing performances. Corum is a tenacious runner who possesses remarkable speed in the open field. His ability to swiftly change direction creates matchup problems for opposing defenses, as demonstrated by his impressive statistics from the previous year.

Backing up Blake Corum is Donovan Edwards, a rising junior running back who can arguably be considered the nation’s best dual-threat back. In crucial moments during the 2022 season, Edwards delivered outstanding performances, rushing for over 160 yards against Penn State, over 200 yards against Ohio State, and over 180 yards against Purdue. As the 2023 season approaches, the success of the Maize and Blue will depend on Edwards’ ability to contribute both as a rusher and a pass-catcher, breathing new life into their offensive strategy.

Supporting these two exceptional running backs are Benjamin Hall and CJ Stokes, both of whom are talented rushers. While they are expected to receive fewer opportunities than Michigan’s top backs, there are reasons to believe that they will still have significant playing time.

The Wolverines are injury free

Last year, the Michigan football rushing attack was bolstered by two of the nation’s top running backs. However, Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards encountered setbacks due to injuries throughout the season. In Week 12, Corum’s season was abruptly halted by a severe knee injury, just before halftime of the Wolverines’ 19-17 victory over the Illinois Fighting Illini.

To compound the challenges, recent reports indicate that Donovan Edwards suffered a knee injury in Week 2 of the season, followed by a broken hand in Michigan’s 34-3 win over Nebraska, prematurely ending his campaign. As the 2023 season approaches, both Edwards and Corum have undergone offseason surgeries and are said to be feeling better than ever. With these two exceptional backs back at full strength, the Michigan football rushing attack is anticipated to be even more formidable than before in the upcoming season.

The best offensive line in the nation

Michigan football has now secured two consecutive Big Ten titles and finished in the top 3 nationally for two consecutive seasons. One of the pivotal factors in the Wolverines’ remarkable turnaround has been the improved performance of Michigan’s offensive line. The Maize and Blue achieved the distinction of being the first program to win the Joe Moore Award for the best offensive line two seasons in a row. Despite some key departures, the Wolverines have acquired talented players through the transfer portal, positioning themselves for a potential third consecutive Joe Moore Award.

Throughout its history, Michigan football has witnessed exceptional offensive line play, but in 2023, the team may boast its deepest and most talented offensive line ever. With all the necessary components in place, the Maize and Blue have the potential to claim another Big Ten title and achieve even greater success this fall. For that to materialize, the Michigan football rushing attack must lead the way.

Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Managing Editor at Cj@BluebyNinety.com. Also, be sure to check out our shop and our podcast, which is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all other streaming platforms. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest-growing and most influential Michigan media outlets there is!