Offense Struggles, but Defense is our fallback?
We figured the offense might be a work in progress. But the defense this past weekend made Wisconsin look like Alabama/Clemson. Has everyone figured out Don Brown's defense? Or- do we not have the personnel this year? I was hoping at least the defense would keep us in games. Is the whole coaching staff and locker room imploding by game three? Is the leadership on the team sub-par? Not sure if there are any answers right now, but I am hoping the team finds some moving forward.
September 23rd, 2019 at 11:37 AM ^
Brian predicted (and I agreed with him at the time) that Michigan could have a top 10 SP+ offense. That looks a bit silly now.
As for the defense, I anticipated M's defense to be in the 20s in SP+. I once heard a very successful coach say "You want to have a bad defense? Have a bad defensive line." It doesn't mean that a great DL makes a great defense, but that you can't have a good defense unless the DL is at least good. With the weakness at Michigan's DT positions, we should have seen coming some struggles with the team defense. If the DL isn't stout, the LBs & DBs behind them are playing catchup to cover for the weaknesses of the D-line. Therefore, recruit a monster D-line, and let the rest of the defense fall into place behind them.
September 23rd, 2019 at 12:11 PM ^
The game against OSU should have raised huge red flags with everyone. Even with really solid DE play, if the interior DL can't get push the QB just steps forward and throws. Any decently accurate QB throwing to an uncovered WR can make those quick passes all day long.
Browns defense is predicated on DL pressure and when that doesn't happen... it's ugly. Now we have terrible interior play and no NFL level DEs or LBs to cover that up.
September 23rd, 2019 at 11:44 AM ^
I’ve said for years on here that Brown’s defense will never work against a solid/good offense especially one with any semblance of a passing game. People proceed to show me FEI ratings and obscure stats suggesting that we’re the best defense in the country or some bull shit.
I don’t need stats to see that’s clearly not true. We manhandle and play overaggressive against teams that can’t match our speed or talent, but when it comes time to line up against people of our own stature they crumble and OCs make our strengths our weaknesses. You have to have a different level of player to be able to man up across the board and we simply don’t have them. I don’t even know if Bama could do that, and here we are.
If Brown’s not willing to adapt he needs to go. That’s the mark of a great coach. He seems stuck in his ways when it’s so clear the game has changed.
September 23rd, 2019 at 12:21 PM ^
Venables isn't leaving for Michigan, no way. I think we need to be more realistic in our search and focus on someone like Matt Campbell. I would really enjoy this move.....
September 23rd, 2019 at 2:43 PM ^
fallback? more like defense is our FULLBACK! get it??!
September 23rd, 2019 at 4:32 PM ^
These things are also related. If your offense is on the field for three downs and at best four minutes per drive, your D is going to play an abnormal amount of minutes. Can't blame them for eventually wearing down.