There may not be a more difficult task in Saturday's game between Ohio State and Michigan than trying to figure out how the Buckeyes will use Curtis Samuel and how the Wolverines will utilize Jabrill Peppers.
They're two of college football's most versatile and dynamic players and each side has one. Samuel, the do-it-all offensive dynamo for Ohio State; Peppers, the two-way star for the Wolverines. If both of these teams are chess sets, Samuel and Peppers are the Queen pieces.
Saturday should allow for each's full arsenal on display.
"He's a great player," Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer said of Peppers on Monday.
Peppers is primarily a defensive player, a hybrid outside linebacker, but he does spend some time on offense, too. Peppers has played over 10 different positions this season, according to the school.
His most common spot is linebacker, though, and the Bednarik (defensive player) and Maxwell (player of the year) Award finalist flies all around the field for the third-ranked Wolverines. On the season, Peppers has 65 tackles (16 tackles for loss) and four sacks.
But Peppers also gets some time on offense and special teams for Michigan, too. He has 23 carries for 163 yards (7.1 per rush) and three touchdowns on the season while also serving as the Wolverines' primary punt and kick returner.
“He’s a real good player," Ohio State cornerback Gareon Conley said of Peppers. "All their skill players are pretty good. It’s just going to be a great challenge going ones against ones. We’re going to see who ends up with the win.”
Samuel doesn't play on both sides of the ball for the Buckeyes but he does line up in a number of different spots for Ohio State's offense. He's played running back, slot receiver, outside receiver and even some Wildcat quarterback this year.
On the season, Samuel has 790 receiving yards, 650 rushing yards and 14 total touchdowns. He recently became the Buckeyes' punt returner, too.
For Ohio State's coaching staff, it's simple: Get the ball to Samuel as many times as possible. Let Michigan deal with trying to figure out how to stop him.
"He's an athlete," Wolverines defensive coordinator Don Brown told reporters on Wednesday. "You've got to chase athletes with athletes."
What makes Saturday's game between Ohio State and Michigan even more exciting is the opportunity Peppers and Samuel get matched up with each other. All-Big Ten cornerback Jourdan Lewis hinted earlier this week he could shadow Samuel around, but if he doesn't, Peppers could be an option for Michigan on Samuel, as well. The redshirt sophomore said earlier this week the Wolverines' plan is to hit Ohio State's offensive players and hit them often.
But even if Samuels and Peppers don't line up across from each other all that often, getting the chance to watch these two jack-of-all-trade type players will certainly be fun.
It's just another layer of the game within The Game.
