Jeremy Gallon: Why the Michigan Wolverines Need to Give Him the Ball

When wideout Jeremy Gallon touches the ball, great things happen.

For an offense that prides itself on running the ball (194.1 YPG) with quarterback Denard Robinson (and backup quarterback Devin Gardner recently) leading the charge, Michigan wide receivers do not get too much recognition.

However, if the Wolverines want to knock off Iowa and Ohio State to close the regular season and give themselves a chance at Big Ten title game, Gallon must become more involved in the offense.

The slippery Gallon stands at a meager 5'8" and weighs 187 pounds, possessing the size of NFL star Wes Welker (5'9", 185 LBS).

For the season, Gallon has 29 catches for 484 yards and two touchdowns, and he has added 67 rushing yards on 11 attempts. 

While Michigan's marginal passing attack (189.1 YPG) ranks 101st in the nation, it is imperative they find ways to get the ball to Gallon. 

In Michigan's two most recent losses to Notre Dame and Nebraska, Gallon only accumulated 70 total yards. In the Wolverines' opening game blowout loss to Alabama, Gallon had 107 yards.

The Alabama game was the exception because the Wolverines stood no chance in that game. In the other two losses, Gallon was not involved enough. 

Gallon has the potential to hit the big play, as he scored from 71 yards on his lone reception in a 45-0 win over Illinois on Oct.13. 

In recent games, the redshirt junior receiver has been more involved.

He grabbed four passes for 72 yards and a touchdown, with a long of 47 yards, in a win over Minnesota on Nov. 3.

In his most recent contest, he hauled in seven passes for 94 yards, with a long of 42 yards, in a 38-31 win in comeback fashion over Northwestern.

At 16.7 YPC, think about what Gallon could do if he was given 8-13 targets for the remainder of the year.

He could top 100 yards receiving for the second time this season and spread out opposing defenses, opening up running lanes for the running game to get going.

Iowa (22.0 PPG) and Ohio State (23.9 PPG) do not possess the strongest defenses, so Michigan should seek to get Gallon the ball early and often.

If the Wolverines win those two games and Nebraska falters, they will be heading to the Big Ten Championship. 

If the passing attack doesn't stress getting the ball to Gallon, the Wolverines will struggle to find offensive balance and won't have a chance at keeping up with the high-scoring Ohio State attack in their final regular season game.

Gallon is capable, he just needs to unleashed.