Ohio State vs Michigan: 5 key players in ‘The Game’ 2016

1. John O’Korn, QB, Michigan

Harbaugh will not rule out starting quarterback Wilton Speight for Saturday, although returning from a broken collarbone in just two weeks seems like a longshot. That puts a lot of pressure on O’Korn, who faces a huge challenge as a backup quarterback on the road against an ultra-talented team.

O’Korn really struggled in his first start of the season against Indiana, completing just seven of 16 passes for 59 yards. That line doesn’t tell the whole story, as much of the game was played in winter conditions, but the Wolverines need O’Korn to be better against the Buckeyes.

While it’s a tough situation for O’Korn to be thrown into, it may not be all doom and gloom for the Wolverines. O’Korn was regarded as a solid recruit out of high school and at least has some experience after starting all 13 games for Houston as a true freshman in 2013. O’Korn led a pretty bad Cougars team to an 8-5 record by throwing for over 3,000 yards with 28 touchdowns.

The senior offers one advantage over Speight with above-average mobility. With the Michigan offense really struggling in the third quarter against Indiana, O’Korn broke off a 30-yard scramble that helped the Wolverines erase a 10-6 deficit.

O’Korn will need to avoid any major mistakes while getting the ball to Michigan’s playmakers. Amrah Darboh, Jehu Chesson and Jake Butt could all cause problems for Ohio State if O’Korn can find them down field.

It’s a tough task for a backup quarterback, but the Wolverines will need at least something out of the passing game to upend the Buckeyes.