Michigan vs. NU - RBs

inWV

All-Conference
Sep 22, 2007
14,188
4,837
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We sweat Michigan's run game and complain about our room, but the following data should be considered.
Justice Haynes - Bama plus UM, 2 seasons plus 3 games - 1004 yards/6.6 ypc.
EJ at NU - 2 seasons plus 3 games - 1335 yards/5.2 ypc.
Jordan Marshall - one season plus 3 games at UM - 229 yards/3.8 ypc
Ives - one playing season plus 3 games - 126 yards/5.7 ypc

I contend that the competency levels of the RBs that will play Saturday are more comparable than conventional wisdom suggests.
 

cbwolfe

All-Conference
Aug 24, 2018
1,448
2,875
113
We sweat Michigan's run game and complain about our room, but the following data should be considered.
Justice Haynes - Bama plus UM, 2 seasons plus 3 games - 1004 yards/6.6 ypc.
EJ at NU - 2 seasons plus 3 games - 1335 yards/5.2 ypc.
Jordan Marshall - one season plus 3 games at UM - 229 yards/3.8 ypc
Ives - one playing season plus 3 games - 126 yards/5.7 ypc

I contend that the competency levels of the RBs that will play Saturday are more comparable than conventional wisdom suggests.
There's some context for the Bama numbers. Haynes didn't really play as a freshman since there were other guys in front of him. Sophomore year, Jalen Milroe was the teams leading rusher by design(which is incredibly dumb on the part of Deboer, since they had Jam Miller and Justice Haynes in the backfield). Milroe had 726 non sack adjusted yards/4.3 YPC, while Haynes had 448 yards/5.7 YPC and Jam Miller had 668 yards/4.8 YPC. Both of them were misused. Also, somewhat disingenuous about Jordan Marshall as well. He battled injuries all year long, received 7 carries against Northwestern, 1 carry against OSU, and 23 carries and a 100 yard game against Bama in the bowl game. Both RBs have minimal miles on their legs.
 
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BugsAreQualityProtein

All-Conference
Sep 14, 2021
2,558
1,202
103
Michigan’s run game will be a testament to how our DL matches up with their OL. That’s where the fear begins and ends.

Comparing EJ to Haynes is irrelevant to me as their skill sets are completely different. EJ being an all purpose back and Haynes being a traditional power/cowbell back. How Ives will perform against stronger competition remains to be seen. The reasons he’s getting more touches over the underclassmen is simply because he’s been in the program longer.
 
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Kakdawg

Heisman
Sep 8, 2004
35,377
15,512
113
We sweat Michigan's run game and complain about our room, but the following data should be considered.
Justice Haynes - Bama plus UM, 2 seasons plus 3 games - 1004 yards/6.6 ypc.
EJ at NU - 2 seasons plus 3 games - 1335 yards/5.2 ypc.
Jordan Marshall - one season plus 3 games at UM - 229 yards/3.8 ypc
Ives - one playing season plus 3 games - 126 yards/5.7 ypc

I contend that the competency levels of the RBs that will play Saturday are more comparable than conventional wisdom suggests.

Wish it were that simple lol.



Holla
 

Spinner4

Senior
Jun 5, 2022
585
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Games going to be much faster for Ives then Akron and Houston Christian High. Will he process the reads fast enough?

I honestly think this is a 2 for 1 game. 2 passes for every run. That sort of work load I think EJ could handle the mass of the work load
 

bigboxes

All-American
Sep 4, 2004
46,209
6,744
113
Games going to be much faster for Ives then Akron and Houston Christian High. Will he process the reads fast enough?

I honestly think this is a 2 for 1 game. 2 passes for every run. That sort of work load I think EJ could handle the mass of the work load
I'll bet it's more 50/50 unless we get down big.
 

OxfordComma

Senior
Feb 4, 2020
620
679
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I'll bet it's more 50/50 unless we get down big.
Shortening the game can help with fewer possessions. And we’ve seen that they aren’t afraid to dink and dunk, which can serve the same purpose if efficient. So some combo of running game and dink and dunk that gets first downs would be huge.
 

Kakdawg

Heisman
Sep 8, 2004
35,377
15,512
113
My intent was to generate discussion. I think Haynes and EJ are equal in terms of doing the things their offenses need well.

I gotcha. That may be true. I don't know enough about Haynes workload to say but I'd guess EJ has more touches in this game IF we are playing well.

Haynes probably the more talented of the two and a better pro prospect but in regards to team importance you may be right.



Holla
 

Kakdawg

Heisman
Sep 8, 2004
35,377
15,512
113
Michigan’s run game will be a testament to how our DL matches up with their OL. That’s where the fear begins and ends.

Comparing EJ to Haynes is irrelevant to me as their skill sets are completely different. EJ being an all purpose back and Haynes being a traditional power/cowbell back. How Ives will perform against stronger competition remains to be seen. The reasons he’s getting more touches over the underclassmen is simply because he’s been in the program longer.

If Ives plays I hope he proves me wrong. I don't see much in him tbh. I'm actually rooting for Nelson or Mozee in the backup RB race lol.



Holla
 

BugsAreQualityProtein

All-Conference
Sep 14, 2021
2,558
1,202
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If Ives plays I hope he proves me wrong. I don't see much in him tbh. I'm actually rooting for Nelson or Mozee in the backup RB race lol.



Holla
I’m still curious how even EJ will fair running between the tackles in conference play. Too many times the OL was not able to get enough push against the likes of Akron and HCU, especially in the red zone.
 

Kakdawg

Heisman
Sep 8, 2004
35,377
15,512
113
I’m still curious how even EJ will fair running between the tackles in conference play. Too many times the OL was not able to get enough push against the likes of Akron and HCU, especially in the red zone.

Definitely a legit question. I also seen him miss a few holes. This is the kinda game that those things need to be hit if they are there.



Holla