One of the BEST Defensive Lines in The Nation

the best of anything is simply a function of what teams you played.

IMO, a healthy Mone, Wheatley, and maybe even seasoned Marshall would make this a top 10 or so DLine. As is, I think we've got just enough talent, depth and experience to end up with a top 15 group. But we haven't seen enough to really assess how great they are.

Oregon State might not be a great team, but we did to them what we should have.  When's the last time we did that?  Maybe they're on the level of a traditional Illinois, Indiana or UConn team, but we won this game the Michigan way.  It wasn't 67-65.  It was a trouncing.  We played a legit opponent (not Georgia State, not Texas Central, not Eastern Whogivesafuck) and took care of business.

It's a little early to get excited yet.  All we can say about this team is that they've played one good team and one bad team.  We lost to the good team primarily because we made too many mistakes, but weren't necessarily out-matched against them, which is encouraging.  We beat the bad team because we they were clearly overmatched, and we played like it, which is also encouraging.

If we're 3-1 after the BYU game and we've beaten the Cougars handily, then it will be time to start getting a little excited.

Right now Michigan's DL is talented and experienced, but not getting consistent pressure on QBs, though they are shutting down rushing lanes pretty well.They held Utah to 81 yards rushing total.

The best Michigan DL's were, in order, 1985 and 2006 and 1980.

The 2015 Michigan defense won't face a significant rushing threat until probably the Northwestern or MSU contests.

 

 

 

When they can generate a consistent pass rush with just the front 4 against someone who actually tries to throw the ball AND can handle a good running attack (Utah seems...fine, but Wilson got enough yards to show some weaknesses in the line), then I'll buy it.  It's a good defensive line, maybe top 3-4 in the conference.  But it isn't better than MSU or OSU, or particularly close, based on current evidence.