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Karan Higdon could help Michigan work itself back into the New Year’s Six picture

Dustin Schutte

By Dustin Schutte

Published:

Karan Higdon hasn’t left any doubt over the last four weeks that he’s emerged as Michigan’s top ball-carrier. But just for good measure, the junior running back carved up Minnesota’s defense Saturday night in the Big House.

The final stat line was 200 yards, a pair of touchdowns and a 12.5 yards per carry average. For the third time in four weeks, Higdon eclipsed the 150-yard mark, this time helping the Wolverines cruise to a 33-10 win over the Gophers. None of the offensive concerns were apparent in Ann Arbor with the ball tucked under his arm.

Higdon hasn’t just become the trusted face of the backfield, he’s developed into that playmaker Michigan has lacked since the season kicked off. And three times in the past four games, he’s been the saving grace for the offense.

Most of the offense’s struggles were blamed on the quarterback situation. Last week against Rutgers, freshman Brandon Peters was finally inserted into the lineup, working in relief of John O’Korn. Almost instantly, Michigan’s offense was moving the chains and scoring touchdowns. At the drop of a hat, the Wolverines were operating without a hitch, eventually downing the Scarlet Knights 35-14.

Peters received most of the credit for the offense’s success.

But Higdon was spectacular in that contest, as well. He finished that outing with 158 yards and two touchdowns on 18 touches. He plowed through Rutgers’ defense repeatedly and opened things up for Michigan through the air. Yes, Peters was a breath of fresh air under center, but he doesn’t go 10-for-14 without Higdon attracting the attention of the defense.

On Saturday, when Michigan’s passing attack was bland once again — Peters was 8-of-13 for 56 yards and a touchdown — it was Higdon who was the bell cow for the Wolverines.

His role shouldn’t change as the schedule heads into the final three weeks.

at 7-2 (4-2 B1G), Michigan has Maryland, No. 9 Wisconsin and No. 6 Ohio State still left on the schedule. A B1G title and a College Football Playoff bid might be out of consideration, but a New Year’s Six bowl berth is still a conceivable outcome for the 2017 season.

Higdon can help make that a reality.

Michigan’s offense has been more fluid over the last month, thanks in large part to Higdon’s contributions. The Wolverines have won all three games in which he’s hit triple digits, beating Indiana, Rutgers and Minnesota. The only loss over the last four games came against Penn State, when he was held to just 45 yards.

He possesses that explosiveness that allows him to turn routine handoffs into long scoring bursts. Over the last four games, the junior has scored on runs of 49, 59 and 77 yards. What Michigan lacks in the passing attack, Higdon has made up for on the ground. Over the last month, he’s proven to be that big-play weapon the offense desperately needed earlier in the season.

Better late than never.

For all the flack Jim Harbaugh and Co. have caught this year for fielding a sluggish and ineffective offense, Higdon and the Wolverines have the opportunity to change the narrative in the final three weeks.

Maryland’s defense is one of the B1G’s worst at defending the run, allowing north of 170 yards per game this season. In four of the last five games, the Terrapins have surrendered over 200 yards on the ground. They’re 0-4 in those games.

And Ohio State, with that defensive line that has rivaled those of the NFL according to Greg Schiano, was just gashed by Iowa for 243 yards in a 55-24 loss. Wisconsin, which has the B1G’s second-best run defense and fourth best nationally, is the only one that hasn’t shown any susceptibility. Then again, the Badgers haven’t faced a running back nearly as talented as Higdon.

Putting up big numbers against the likes of the Buckeyes and the Badgers is obviously an entirely different challenge than Rutgers and Minnesota. The maize and blue are going to have to do some other things well offensively to knock off two of the B1G’s better teams. But when Higdon is running with a full head of steam, he’s been nearly impossible to stop.

If he keeps running down the same path, Michigan could finish the season much differently than it started. Hitting the 10-win mark and returning to a New Year’s Six bowl are still reasonable goals.

It’s up to Higdon to carry Michigan to that finish line.

Dustin Schutte

Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB