Michigan WRs focused on execution ahead of potentially fruitful MSU matchup
Michigan football has – at least on paper – a matchup with Michigan State that should be fruitful for them offensively. This is a group of Spartans that allows 153.3 yards per game on the ground (79th) and 269 yards through the air per contest (110th).
Fans have been wanting Michigan to open things up in the passing game for weeks. The opportunity could present itself, but they also should be able to run the football. However, the Wolverines do not see it as a “name your score” game where they can inherently do what they want.
“For us personally, as a receiver group and their DBs, we want to make sure we take advantage of what we can do and focus on taking advantage of their weaknesses,” senior wideout Cornelius Johnson, who has 15 catches for 225 yards and 3 TD so far this season, said. “Trusting ourselves. It’s more so about us than them. Obviously, we try and find weaknesses in the defense every week on film, but it’s more so about us and our execution, with our quarterbacks and our route running.”
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This is not a top-10 matchup like last season’s game was, but Michigan still comes into the game on notice. It has not beat MSU since 2019 and the motivation is still high for the Paul Bunyan trophy to return home.
“Definitely, it’s a test,” Johnson said. “It’s always going to be there, late October, you’re gonna have them — those guys from up the street come down here, or we’re gonna have to go up there, and it’s gonna be a state championship like coach says. And it’s going to be a battle.
“It’s always a test coming into that game. It’s not the exact same team we play every year, obviously, because different years, but it’s still the same mentality coming into the preparation. That week, coming in, you can just see it all hyped up. I’m really excited about the opportunity this week to even it up.”
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Johnson has part of a Michigan offense that took the baton from last year’s team and has largely run with it. There are different pieces here and there, but the objective remains the same.
“On the offensive side of things, to compare last year to this year, it’s completely different,” Johnson said. “We have a completely different quarterback right now and a completely different team overall — different tight ends and O-line, running backs. And a completely different offensive coordinator.
“I sort of feel like that speaks for itself, just in terms of the personnel. It’s completely different. We don’t have the same offensive coordinator or coach. Schematically, we still have the same goals in mind as last year, but it’s a completely different offense.”
Michigan’s contest with Michigan State kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET from the Big House on Saturday night.
