Blake Corum, Michigan Wolverine. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Michigan football fell short in the College Football Playoff semifinals against TCU. Now, three stars won’t be back, but some will still return in 2023.
Arriving at the Fiesta Bowl, the prevailing narrative was that the Michigan Wolverines would simply smash TCU and go to the National Championship Game for a replay of last year’s semi-final against Georgia or a rematch against rival Ohio State. . Instead, Jim Harbaugh’s team will watch the Horned Frogs play while seated in Ann Arbor.
Things started to snowball early on for the Wolverines, with TCU continuing to jump on every mistake Michigan made. The favorites were down 15 at halftime and up to 19 in the third quarter. But they fought back and were down just six points when they won the ball with around 50 seconds left. The attempt failed, and although the lack of appeal for targeting was moot, Michigan lost.
Now comes an offseason in which the team reflects on missed opportunities but, more importantly, in which Wolverines will have to see some talented players leave. The good news is that many stars will be back. Let’s take a look at three players on each side as we look ahead to the 2023 season for Harbaugh and his team.
Blake Corum hasn’t made his draft decision yet but, to me, it would be ridiculous for him to come back if he doesn’t get a ridiculous amount of NIL money.
The running back was set to be in New York for the Heisman Trophy ceremony before he suffered an injury against Illinois (and maybe should have been invited) and his draft stock will probably never be higher . Also, this injury could remind him that just one game can still shrink his future at the top level, which leads me to believe he will leave Ann Arbor after this season.
This is going to be a blow, make no mistake about it. Corum was the workhorse of that power offense, with 1,463 yards and 18 touchdowns in just 10.5 games this year. This attack can be repeated, but Corum has proven to be one of the best in recent memory.
Good news for Wolverines fans, though. In Corum’s absence, one thing that has been abundantly clear is that Donovan Edwards is not only capable of taking over as the main running back in Michigan’s offense, he could even be more dangerous. and explosive in this role than was its predecessor.
Before the Fiesta Bowl, Edwards had just 117 total carries on the season, but he still ran for 872 yards and seven scores, or 7.5 yards per carry. Additionally, in three games as a starter against Ohio State, Purdue, and TCU, Edwards went for 119 yards or more each time, for a total of 520 yards and three touchdowns. Not too shabby.
The Wolverines offense can succeed with a passable running back. Edwards, however, could elevate that element of offense to new heights with a full season as RB1.
Following : 2. Lose a star forward line but keep a great defender.