Heisman Trophy campaign for Michigan football's Blake Corum reaching a crescendo

Jim Harbaugh tried not to make the comparison, but he just couldn't help himself.

Michigan football's coach was asked about running back Blake Corum's Heisman Trophy chances, given his stellar nine games so far, and Harbaugh did something he normally doesn't like to do.

"I had a great running back at Stanford, Toby Gerhart, who finished second (in the Heisman race), and Blake has meant even more to this 2022 team than Toby did," he said. "There I go, making a comparison, which I should never do. Two great players, it’s like trying to compare — I always try to stay away from that.

"But Blake, except for some of the pro backs, probably the only exception would be Frank Gore, that I was able to coach, Blake is the best running back I’ve coached. He means that much, he’s having that kind of a season."

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Corum has been the engine for the Wolverines (9-0, 6-0 Big Ten), stacking up as perhaps not just the best running back, but the best player, in the country.

The junior is tied with Pittsburgh's Israel Abanikanda for the most rushing touchdowns (16) and points (102) of any player in the nation. He is fourth in the country in rushing yards (1,187) despite having 36 fewer carries than the No. 3 running back (Marshall's Khalan Laborn) and 58 fewer than the No. 1 running back (Illinois' Chase Brown).

"He’s having definitely an MVP season for us here at Michigan," Harbaugh said. "It would be hard to imagine he wouldn’t be — ah, the way he’s going, win the Heisman Trophy. There have been quite a few backs who have won the Heisman Trophy and I’d bet my truck that Blake Corum is on pace or ahead of many of those running backs that have won it."

Harbaugh's truck is safe for now: Compare Corum's rushing numbers — 199 carries, 1,187 yards, 5.97 yards per carry, 16 rushing touchdowns — to those through nine games for the previous three running backs to win the award.

Derrick Henry in 2015: 218 carries, 1,254 yards, 5.75 yards per carry and 18 touchdowns.

Mark Ingram, 2009: 175 carries, 1,148 yards, 6.56 yards per carry and eight touchdowns.

Reggie Bush, 2005: 123 carries, 1,022 yards, 8.3 yards per carry and 11 touchdowns.

But beyond his physical skills, which have him tied for the national lead in first downs (77), tied for second in rushes of 20 yards or more (13) and sixth in total yards from scrimmage (1,224), Corum stands out for his mental game, just as Harbaugh said Gore did.

"Both students of the game, both at the highest level when it comes to that," he said. "You can’t get anything by Blake Corum, he is so focused at all times, he’s like a chess payer who can think several moves ahead.

"He knows what our blocking scheme is, he knows what the defense is, he knows what the blitzes are, not only who he has but who others have. Very similar to Frank Gore in that regard, two outstanding students of the game, who know the game and have tremendous feel for the game."

Donovan Edwards has had multiple 100-yard rushing games, leading some to say it's the line, not the back. Starting right guard Zak Zinter lauded his offensive line on Monday and said while he felt last year's unit was good, he believes this year's is "great."

It helps, he said, that they get to block for someone as talented as Corum.

"Blake is super special, awesome back to be able to block for," Zinter said. "You guys see it on film, what he does is something a lot of people can't do. I think he's got a good shot of winning the Heisman, and I think he should be right there in the running for it."

Plenty of love for Donovan Edwards

For all the love for Corum, Edwards, his running mate, doesn't go unnoticed. The sophomore is playing the role Corum played last year in tande, with Hassan Haskins — clearly explosive, with plenty of potential, but not "the guy" just yet.

Against Rutgers on Saturday, Edwards ran 15 times for 109 yards and caught a team-high three passes for 52 yards and a touchdown. It was the second time in three games in which he topped 100 yards on the ground.

"Tremendous playmaker and every option is open when Donovan is in the game," Harbaugh said. "Whether it's handing the ball off to him, he's a really good blocker, runs good routes, catches the ball really well, really good after the catch.

"I think a defense is always going to have to keep in mind anything is available when he's out there."

Harbaugh pointed out that Edwards is still growing and refining his game, though it's already "at a really high level right now." Harbaugh still sees room for growth and isn't sure where that will stop.

Edwards has 68 carries for 458 yards and four touchdowns this season and his 6.7 yards per carry is the best on the team. He has been productive as a receiver, too, with 14 catches for 179 yards and two touchdowns. Over the Wolvereins' past three games, his seven catches and 111 receiving yards are second on the team, behind only receiver Ronnie Bell.

"It's awesome being able to have both of those guys in the backfield," Zinter said. "Not just having one who's taking all the beating all the time. Having two backs who are really reliable, super explosive, you know it's special and I think it's a huge advantage for us."

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Blake Corum's Heisman Trophy hype continues to grow