Karan Higdon's Great Year
As I sit here waiting for a plumber to arrive at my house and charge me an exorbitant sum, I started wondering about just how good Karan Higdon's year was shaping up to be. The kid is a tank, and the last drive against MSU (which I've watched 5 times) was a work of art; staying low, grinding out yards, taking big hits in stride, and just killing that clock. So, I looked at some stats...
So far through 7 games (he was held out against SMU), Higdon has 831 rushing yards. That is an average of about 119 yards per game.
If he keeps that up in the remaining 4 games - and that seems fair, as he should over-perform in at least two of those games, and PSU doesn't strike me as a great D - and he will end the regular season with 1305 yards.
If we add in one additional game at the same pace - either the bowl game or the B1GCG - he will finish with 1425 yards. That would give him the 14th best season by a UM RB all time (13th if we exclude Denard).
However, at 1425 yards he would be in a tight pack of RBs with similar totals. So if he can get just 75 more yards - either by going 19 yards above average per game, like in the MSU game, or us getting both the B1GCG and a bowl game - and get to 1500 yards, he would leap to 7th all time (6th if we eliminate Denard). The latter option would give him one more game than the guys in front of him, but who cares? He will have been a big part of why we got that extra game.
I think Mr. Higdon deserves a giant HUZZAH! I also think Ed Warriner and the OL could use one too...
October 25th, 2018 at 12:32 PM ^
There are three elements to gaining a lot of yards rushing.
1. The RB must have quickness - hitting the right hole, changing to the right angle, hitting that cut back lane - all help make for long gains.
2. The OL must win or at least neutralize the defensive front - It is a nice bit of fantasy that any RB can blast a hole through a stack of poorly blocked DLs and LBs.
3. The final part is speed - which is often what people focus on, but usually that only comes into play once the back is clear of the first line of the defense - if there is 4-5 yards of clear space ahead of them, the top RBs can hit into a higher gear and pull away from everyone except the deeper safeties.
So far we seem to have all three elements!
Go Blue!
October 26th, 2018 at 8:39 AM ^
Very good...and your #1 is why Evans is not that back...his fandom be damned. My inclination is to pick Samuels as that back...with Turner being an excellent consideration. Having said that, Charbonnet does indeed already show great vision and picking the correct hole as well//.and makes that terrific, ankle-breaking jump cut. He (only) has excellent but not elite speed...but good luck to any single DB or safety trying to corral him.
October 25th, 2018 at 12:32 PM ^
Higdon has improved year to year... that is saying something.... he is reaping what he has sowed... worked hard for it... Higdon >>> Weber through hard work. Kiper is talking about Higdon. I think he will get drafted by round 4, and ahead of Weber.
October 25th, 2018 at 12:37 PM ^
He's clearly having the best year we've had from a RB since Hart graduated. Whoever comes off the bench does not live up to his running ability.
October 25th, 2018 at 12:49 PM ^
That's not TRUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
October 26th, 2018 at 8:44 AM ^
I do think the kid remains very under-rated and under-appreciated by the fans. This kid is loaded to the gills with the "it" factor.
October 25th, 2018 at 12:48 PM ^
"Best OL in the country"
Hyperbolic, sure, but the fact that it's not THAT outlandish is quite a thing to say after the last 3 years.
October 25th, 2018 at 12:50 PM ^
He breaks 1,000 on the season against PSU. Book it. BOOK IT.
October 25th, 2018 at 7:21 PM ^
I booked it.
October 25th, 2018 at 1:04 PM ^
Totally agree OP - Higdon is awesome - breaking tackles, seeing most of the cutback opportunities, outrunning guys to the edge. Dude is a playmaker.
October 25th, 2018 at 1:15 PM ^
HUZZAH!
October 25th, 2018 at 1:17 PM ^
He's going to be Michigan highest RB draft pick in a looong time.
October 25th, 2018 at 1:19 PM ^
If Harbaugh is feeling spicy, Karan could have a 300 yard game against Rutger without really trying.
October 25th, 2018 at 2:39 PM ^
Harbaugh does ruthless shit against Rutger, but I'm not sure he'll leave the starting RB in unless it's competitive (BAHAHAHA) or (hahahaha) we're havi- (hehehe ok I'm done now) -ng a tough time converting yards into points.
I predict we have 3x 100-yard rushers
October 25th, 2018 at 1:34 PM ^
if Higdon gets to 1425 net yards, he will be in 10th all time (including denard). you are looking at yards gained, without subtracting yards lost, to have him placed at 14th.
Rank Name Attempts Yd+ Yd- Net Yd
1. Tshimanga Biakabutuka 303 1891 73 1818
2. Anthony Thomas 319 1776 43 1733
3. Jamie Morris 282 1748 45 1703
4. Denard Robinson 256 1799 97 1702
5. Chris Perry 338 1721 47 1674
6. Michael Hart 318 1601 39 1562
7. Roby Lytle 221 1474 5 1469
8. Butch Woolfolk 253 1498 39 1459
9. Michael Hart 282 1487 32 1455
10. Tony Boles 262 1449 41 1408
11. Ron Johnson 255 1474 83 1391
12. Gordon Bell 273 1441 51 1390
13. Lawrence Ricks 266 1428 40 1388
14. Jon Vaughn 216 1415 52 1364
15. Michael Hart 265 1419 58 1361
October 25th, 2018 at 1:43 PM ^
My bad, but thanks for the update!
October 25th, 2018 at 1:51 PM ^
The first thing I noticed when looking at the negative yardage column is that Rob Lytle was practically unstoppable behind the line of scrimmage. -5 yards for an entire season on 221 carries is absolutely amaizing, especially when you see the next 2 best seasons were from Mike Hart with -32 on 282 carries and -39 on 318 carries.
October 25th, 2018 at 2:33 PM ^
i noticed that too when putting it together and thought about how crazy that is. i went back and checked the stats for each game that season. he had negative plays in only 3 games (wisconsin, ohio state, and usc), and probably only had 3 negative plays all season.
October 25th, 2018 at 2:01 PM ^
Damn - Michigan has had some good RB's....
October 25th, 2018 at 3:38 PM ^
You've got Mike Hart on there twice.
October 25th, 2018 at 4:08 PM ^
Likely because those are per season numbers.
October 25th, 2018 at 5:02 PM ^
correct. three separate seasons from hart. if it had been easier to copy over the table (had to do it manually) i would have included the season and other information.
October 25th, 2018 at 4:18 PM ^
Actually, three times. One thing surprising about the chart is that there are no repeat entrants besides Hart.
October 25th, 2018 at 5:04 PM ^
i cut it at 15. if you go to 20, a-train shows up again at 17, and denard does too at 19.
October 25th, 2018 at 1:46 PM ^
Higdon is having a terrific year, that’s for sure. Really great to see him run the ball.
I do wonder though if you will let the plumber leave of his own free will.
October 25th, 2018 at 1:57 PM ^
I'm wondering if you are going to try to impress the plumber by suggesting Higdon is so good that he could even squeeze through a plumber's crack.
October 25th, 2018 at 2:20 PM ^
I had planned to let him go, but for what he just quoted me for a new water heater and installation, he will not be leaving, no.
October 25th, 2018 at 3:20 PM ^
He's the MVP on offense..
October 25th, 2018 at 3:43 PM ^
You forgot the part where Brian is no longer calling him "Karen" on the podcast. That takes the cake.
October 25th, 2018 at 5:00 PM ^
I know that this is far in the rear view mirror, but I am happier w/ Higdon vs. M Weber.
October 25th, 2018 at 7:17 PM ^
The best thing would be for him to go against PSU for over 100 yards. Against Rutgers for over 100 yards. Against Indiana for over 100 yards and then over 200 yards aginst OSU! Finish off a tremendous season in style...
hell just get over 250 yards the next 4 games and push for the single season record!
Higdon has done a tremendous job and represents the university well. He said he had the best o line in the nation...he might have been on to something.