Opinion Roundtable: Who Is Michigan's Most Important Player Against Penn State Not Named Shea Patterson?
Michigan was very impressive out of the gates against Illinois but really sputtered in the third quarter allowing the Illini to get back into the game. That kind of effort won't work against the Nittany Lions and both teams know it. Senior quarterback Shea Patterson is Michigan's most important player for the Wolverines in Happy Valley, but who else in a winged helmet is a key to victory? We discuss...
Brandon Brown
"If Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford is effective as a runner, and the committee of backs gets it going on the ground, it's going to be a long day for Michigan. I think redshirt freshman Cameron McGrone needs to play his best game in a winged helmet to make sure those two things don't happen.
"It obviously won't be McGrone's job alone, but as the speediest backer and the man in the middle, McGrone could really affect Clifford as a runner. He and the other linebackers will all chip in to stop Penn State's four backs, but I still see the speedy freshman as the biggest key to U-M's success on defense."
Steve Deace
"I think other than Shea Patterson, the most important player is center Cesar Ruiz. He's been underwhelming so far this season, especially given the fact he's probably the most physically gifted member of the offensive line. This game will be his biggest challenge of the season, when you combine the quality of the defensive front he has to block with the legendary white out crowd noise he has to negotiate when it comes to barking out signals.
"Since I see him as the second-most important player on the offense, I think he's the second most-important player for the Wolverines. Because it's the offense that's going to sink or swim or the 2019 season at Happy Valley on Saturday night."
Michael Spath
"Michigan's two tackles because they will match up with two very good defensive ends in Yetur Gross-Matos and Shaka Toney. If Patterson gets hit early or, worse, coughs up the ball early because of a sack, he'll be abandoning the pocket the rest of the night and will stymie many of U-M's play-calls before they start. Patterson needs to feel comfortable and confident in the pocket for him to be at his best. It's up to Jon Runyan Jr. and Jalen Mayfield to keep him upright."
Who is your key to victory? Are we wrong to assume that it's definitely Shea Patterson? Comment below!!!
