Who will be the most important Michigan football player tomorrow?

Tomorrow, Michigan football will begin its 2023 season against East Carolina at the Big House in Ann Arbor, MI, for the first time since the Wolverines’ crushing loss in the College Football Playoff last year. When the Wolverines take the field, a number of players will be out with injury and more; so, who will be the most important player for Michigan on Saturday? Maybe Blake Corum? JJ McCarthy? Let’s take a look.

A number of good options for Michigan football

After winning two straight Big Ten titles and more this decade, it should come as no surprise that Michigan football has one of the best rosters in the nation right now. Heading into the year, the Wolverines are loaded all over, though a few positions are looking better than others.

Running backs?

Could Blake Corum or Donovan Edwards be the top performers for Michigan football this weekend? It’s certainly possible, but the elite duo is not my pick here. That said, Michigan could still rely heavily on them, just as the team has in many years past.

Offensive line

The second position group that comes to mind is the offensive line, which is the best in the nation, and has won two Joe Moore Awards to show for it. That said, with some rotation going on at center and both tackle spots, I don’t see the O-line being the difference-maker tomorrow; don’t get me wrong, the line will be elite, but not the game’s deciding factor.

Anyone on defense?

The Michigan football defense has some injury issues that it is working through right now, especially in the defensive backfield. That said, standouts like Kris Jenkins and Junior Colson are healthy and ready to go, and could be a difference-maker for the Wolverines against East Carolina.

The verdict — JJ McCarthy

When it comes to Michigan football vs. East Carolina, I see junior quarterback JJ McCarthy as the Wolverines’ most important player. ECU has one of the worst passing defenses in the nation and a solid run-stopping defensive line; with QB coach Kirk Campbell calling the shots, it’s hard not to imagine Michigan doing anything but airing it out a good bit. The whole team will have to step up, but heading into the second season of the JJ McCarthy era in Ann Arbor, I think it’s JJ’s game tomorrow.

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