Corum: 100% back or no(?)

Without digging deeper into the stats, he's at 5.7 YPC this year and was at 5.9 last year. Doesn't seem like much of a drop off, especially when you consider (as others have pointed out) that the O-line isn't as dominant.

According to sources inside the program, Blake is 100% bringing sexy back.

He lost a step from 2021 to 2022, but was worth it as he gained muscle and became an every down back.  Was absolutely elite in 2022.

He looks to have lost a step this year as well, but I think it might be both injury related and putting on even more muscle.  The O-line also isn't clicking as well as last year, so there are fewer opportunities for explosive plays - but yes - just to my eye, Blake is not fully back yet.

The O-line not completely there is even more obvious with DE, who is more of a hit or miss home run threat.  He is more likely to break a 65 yarder when well blocked than anyone on the team, but also most likely to only gain 2 yards where Blake and Mullings can grind out 4 on the same play.

Mullings has been a revelation this year and will hopefully blossom into Hassan Haskins 2.0 for the stretch run and next year.

OP, your post is stupid and the worst example of concern trolling. 

He seems to be fine. I am not sure what you heard in the podcasts. I heard every one of them. I did not hear the concerns you are raising. He had one game over 20 carries I think. They are saving him up. They think they had a very good chance last year if they had BC, which seems like a reasonable analysis given how that playoff game went.

I expect him rocking starting PSU.

Everyone can have their opinion, but judging by the down votes, not everyone has to like it. 

He's definitely a click slower both in the hole and in the open than 2022 version. That's going to happen when you want to bench 225lbs a million times. Is that a net positive or negative? Tough to tell. 

There's a reason why Alabama was pulling all these 5-star RBs. The pitch from Saban was that sharing the load will save your legs for the NFL, while still putting together quality tape for scouts.

I see the decrease in workload as a good thing to keep his legs fresh for the end of the season and the next level. Regardless of what round he's drafted in, he wants to play beyond his rookie contract.

They need to give Corum the ball 25 times per game every week (except the one patsy) the rest of the way.

its so frustrating watching Donovan Edwards fall at first contact. Great back but needs one more year in the weight room, just like corum once needed. I am hoping corum’s lack of carries is the coaches desire to protect him and keep him healthy for psu/osu.

Hawt take.  I think Mullings and Hall are as good as Corum right now.  Corum was the best at his peak, but right now I think they're in the convo. I think Edwards is 4th best RB but could be an elite slot receiver. He is very talented, but just a good RB right now.

Combination of factors:

1. He does not seem to be 100% of the 2021 straight line speed merchant version.  But 2023 Corum is bigger, meatier and more durable. Still shifty, drives those oil barrel thighs of his, and is hard AF to bring down. Opponents HAVE TO devote physical practice to prepare for him.

2. Corum vs. Stacked box of 9 defenders is still a tall order for UM OL on a consistent basis. Harball demoralizes, but it can lead to low returns and FGs (e.g. 2022 Mich vs MSU game)

3. Stacking the box vs. Corum eventually is a bad choice, because it just invites JJ McCarthy to murder you with his legs, gash you with TEs and WRs passes that simply set your entire defense on fire. 

4. Michigan's other offensive weapons are performing at a high level - Wilson, Johnson, Loveland, McCarthy - so if Corum is keyed on there is zero reason not to utilize your other killing machines.

I’d say he lost a step in short spaces: his top speed like what was reported clocked is still fast, but short space/distance speed I think he lost a step. I’d say it’s partly the injury and his fear to reinjure himself, the other his he bulked up: dude was repping 225 on the bench like 30 times, he’s a tank not a speed runner. 

Early in the season it was us as observers who were worried about reinjury so we watch more closely than we should. Now it's more normal viewing.

I will also speculate that Michigan is not concerned about crushing teams. Instead they have a comprehensive strategic plan for practicing certain run game plays each week-- all working toward end of November. That's also why no one player is playing all the snaps. 

I think we've become more of a pass first team. 

Does it really matter if he's as fast as he was last season if the team wins? I don't think Corum, or any of the guy's on the team care about stats on paper except for the score on the board.

Blake’s doing Blake things for the most part - cuts, acceleration, dives, speed.  I think he’s better at getting short yardage push and blocking.  There’s more film out there and so naturally defenses r better prepared as well.  

I am firmly in the camp that believes there is nothing wrong with Corum.  He's getting fewer carries this season and doing about as much with those, on average, as he did last season.  And that is with an OL that is not playing as well as the group last season.

I also believe nothing is wrong with Donovan.  He is just less effective because the holes the OL are opening aren't quite as gaping, maybe(?), as the holes last season.  Corum can do more with tighter openings than Donovan.  I think that much is pretty clear.  And so Corum has been effective whereas Donovan is struggling to get going.  For the sake of taking the offense to the stratosphere, we need the OL to help Donovan out more because when he has some open space to run you can pretty much strike up the band.

I think people are underestimating the impact of him not having a full offseason to do lower body lifting. He's still great, but not having months to do squats and such probably has him slightly below last year on driving the pile and bursting 

I think Corum is back now and I was confirmed when I started seeing him doing his jump cuts. I'm glad both Corum and Edwards have lower carry totals early, it's gonna keep 'em fresh late in the season.

Him and Edwards both look slower.

I'm wondering if they bulked up too much.

That will do it.

Beleive it or not I think Mullings might have a better pro career than both Corum and Edwards.  Mullings is built for NFL and reminds me of Matt Forte, the others will be pros, Corum I don't have a good comparison, maybe Jones-Drew....and Edwards reminds me of CJ Spiller.

What we know:

-- About the same YPC as last year, notwithstanding being used less and not late in games.

-- Still has jukes

-- Still can move an entire pile of defenders

Based on the above, I would say he's at or about 100% and will be there when we need him.