Michigan football: Defensive ends could be the key to a U-M win

Michigan has arguably the best pair of defensive ends in the country in Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo. The two have combined for 25 sacks this season and almost too many quarterback pressures to count, dominating in a number of games.

But Georgia’s offensive line is one of the best they’ll have faced this year. Opponents have gotten past they Bulldogs for only 11 sacks all year, third behind Michigan and its 10.

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When he’s pressured, though, Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett has his issues. He threw for 340 yards and three touchdowns in a 41-24 loss to Alabama, but he’s completed only 30 percent of his passes under pressure this year.

That sets up what should be an intriguing subplot in Friday night’s Orange Bowl playoff semifinal.

“The first thing you have to do is match their intensity. Regardless of the talent they have, the strain, the desire, the want-to leaks through on the film,” head coach Kirby Smart said of the Michigan ends. “You talk to people that have played them and one of the first things they talk about is, ‘man — we didn’t take into account how hard they played. How much effort, how much want-to, how much desire. That has to come from within.

“That doesn’t come from a star that was given to you out of high school. That doesn’t come from a reputation you’ve got. That comes from within. What do you have inside you? What stamina do you have in the fourth quarter to pass pro or run block, whatever it requires in the fourth quarter, to outwork the player, out-strain the player in front of you.”

In other words, it’s not always about the stars next to a guy’s name. Smart is famous for saying, “you can’t out-coach recruiting.” Hutchinson was a four-star prospect, Ojabo a three-star, but neither were being courted by all of the nation’s best.

Both Michigan ends are now projected as first round NFL Draft picks, and Hutchinson possibly the first pick overall. Their motors never stop, which is a big reason for their success.

“Those two guys just are tremendous want-to [guys],” Smart praised of the Michigan duo. “You can tell they push each other. They go against a really good offensive line every day in practice, so those guys are really good competitors, and they’re a huge challenge for our offensive line.”

But his line embraces those challenges, he insisted. They want the opportunity, and they relish the chance to play the best on the biggest stage.

Michigan players have said the same, setting up what should be a great matchup Friday night.

“Our offensive line embraces challenges like this, so they want these opportunities,” Smart said. “It’s what you come to college for; to go play against is the best in the country, whether that’s the best in the country at run defense or best in the country at rushing the passer. You want to play against the best.

“You want to be measured against the best, and that’s what the playoffs allow you to do.”

As for the quarterbacks — there’s been talk that J.T. Daniels might get more time against Michigan. Bennett isn’t necessarily a fan favorite despite leading the team most of the year, but he’ll get the nod against Michigan unless something changes.

“I think Stetson has played at a high level, done a really good job with our offense,” Smart said. “He has not played perfect by no means, but he’s played well. It’s a decision that we make as a coaching staff, and for whatever reason, there are fans that may not agree with it, that may agree with it. Media may not agree with it, may agree with it. Our team understands that we’re going to give our team the best opportunity to win, and Stetson does that …

“They’re both good in their own right. I think we’ve got four quarterbacks capable of winning big here at University of Georgia. But Stetson is our quarterback right now.”

And it’s Hutchinson, Ojabo and Co.’s job to get to him and make him uncomfortable. If they do, Michigan should have more than a puncher’s chance to spring the upset Friday.