After 8 games, we are tied for #1 pass defense

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October 29th, 2012 at 7:50 PM
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ken725
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Joined: 10/26/2008
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After 8 games, we are tied for #1 pass defense
Rank Team G Opp Pass Att Opp Comp Opp Comp Pct Opp Pass Yds/Comp Int Opp Int Pct Opp Pass Yds Opp Pass Yds/Att Opp Pass TD Opp Pass Yds/G Opp Pass Conv
1 Alabama 8 225 115 51.11 10.15 14 6.22 1167 5.19 3 145.88 0
- Michigan 8 198 112 56.57 10.42 7 3.54 1167 5.89 5 145.88 1
3 Arizona St. 8 228 118 51.75 10.06 11 4.82 1187 5.21 11 148.38 1
4 LSU 8 251 130 51.79 9.14 13 5.18 1188 4.73 7 148.50 0
5 Vanderbilt 8 215 116 53.95 10.41 4 1.86 1208 5.62 4 151.00 0
6 Florida St. 9 318 158 49.69 8.78 6 1.89 1388 4.36 8 154.22 0
7 Minnesota 8 252 137 54.37 9.34 8 3.17 1279 5.08 8 159.88 0
8 Nebraska 8 238 113 47.48 11.34 6 2.52 1281 5.38 10 160.13 0
9 Fresno St. 9 266 136 51.13 10.76 16 6.02 1463 5.50 12 162.56 0
10 Boise St. 8 243 144 59.26 9.22 11 4.53 1327 5.46 2

 

I knew our defense was good, but I didn't think we would be tied for the best pass D in the nation.  I think this has to do a lot with Mattison/Mallory and also BIG TENNNNNNN.  I was nervous about our pass D after Countess went out, but Taylor has really stepped up and is a pleasant surprise.

Gibson minus all the points.

 

I don't know how to format this chart to make it fit.  Sorry for blocking the diary section.

Greetings from Bolivia.

"It's special how the real true people hang together. And if you don't support the program you're not a true Michigan guy. It's that simple."  - Gary Moeller

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October 29th, 2012 at 7:55 PM | But... (Score:5 Normal)
MGoShoe
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Joined: 04/23/2009
MGoPoints: 19230

...of course.

LSA '89 - MBB Natl Champions, Big 10/Rose Bowl Champions | @MGoShoe

October 29th, 2012 at 7:58 PM | The defense has been great (Score:5 Normal)
RonZeroFez
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Joined: 12/13/2011
MGoPoints: 168

The defense has been great this season, including (and maybe especially) against Nebraska.  A lesser defense might have allowed another 30 points after Denard went down.  

If you don't ride a camel, you ain't shi'ite.

October 29th, 2012 at 8:00 PM | Big Ten certainly has (Score:4 Normal)
denardogasm
Joined: 09/11/2011
MGoPoints: 1852

Big Ten certainly has something to do with it, but Bama's schedule has been potentially even weaker than ours if you take out the extra ten levels of imaginary difficulty granted to all SEC games. Vandy probably impresses me most of those teams.  Pass defense rankings are pretty worthless on their own though obviously.  Does show that we've definitely improved in that area, which is nice.

"Michigan Defense" is dominating everything, in every aspect of life. That's a rough definition.

-Craig Roh 10/29/2011

October 29th, 2012 at 8:44 PM | Yeah, but the fact that only (Score:3 Normal)
FrankMurphy
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Joined: 08/19/2008
MGoPoints: 2499

Yeah, but the fact that only one of Alabama's opponents has managed to stay within three touchdowns of them (just barely; Ole Miss lost to them 33-14) is a little scary. They don't seem to have any real flaws. I would be shocked if they don't repeat this year. They remind me of Mike Tyson/Mr. Dream in the NES version of Punch-Out. 

October 29th, 2012 at 8:03 PM | Small consolation (Score:-1 Trolling)
October 30th, 2012 at 12:42 AM | None of them have any meaning. (Score:2 Normal)
M-Wolverine
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Joined: 10/04/2009
MGoPoints: 38747

Unless you're ranked 1 or 2.

"I love him, he's a great coach, he's a great mentor, he's a great friend. He's every single thing you want a college coach to be, and he does it flawlessly." -David Molk

October 30th, 2012 at 11:10 PM | So, if that's the case (Score:-1 Overrated)
October 31st, 2012 at 11:39 PM | If they don't move up (Score:3 Normal)
M-Wolverine
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Joined: 10/04/2009
MGoPoints: 38747

Yeah.

"I love him, he's a great coach, he's a great mentor, he's a great friend. He's every single thing you want a college coach to be, and he does it flawlessly." -David Molk

November 1st, 2012 at 5:44 AM | That is brilliant. (Score:1)
inthebluelot
Joined: 01/05/2010
MGoPoints: 66

I totally agree with you.

October 29th, 2012 at 8:08 PM | Agreed, sort of (Score:4 Normal)
Soulfire21
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Joined: 03/18/2010
MGoPoints: 3130

Our defense is good, I love Mattison, however.... Consider:

Alabama #73 passing 220 yd/game
Air Force #121 (last?) passing 114 yd/game
UMass #112 passing 169.1 yd/game
Notre Dame #93 passing 193.3 yd/game
Purdue #76 passing 219.6 yd/game
Illinois #104 passing 184.9 yd/game
MSU #66 passing 229.1 yd/game
Nebraska #71 passing 225 yd/game

So, the offenses we have played aren't necessarily great passers...

HAIL.

October 29th, 2012 at 8:13 PM | Those offenses had to face (Score:5 Normal)
Brown Bear
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Joined: 01/10/2011
MGoPoints: 2611

Those offenses had to face our defense which is a cause to an extent for their passing numbers being down. Somebody do the math!

I poop excellence
October 29th, 2012 at 8:18 PM | Assuming each of them has (Score:5 Normal)
unWavering
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Joined: 01/13/2011
MGoPoints: 1765

Assuming each of them has played 8 games, and assuming that our offense held them to half of their normal production, the most our game would have affected their numbers is by 1/16th or 6.25%

October 30th, 2012 at 11:19 AM | Why is it 1/16 and not 1/8?  (Score:2)
jmblue
Joined: 11/07/2008
MGoPoints: 28961

Why is it 1/16 and not 1/8?  It's one game out of eight . . . why would the other games hold more weight?

October 30th, 2012 at 5:46 PM | Title to not break mgoblog (Score:2 Normal)
Tacopants
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Joined: 07/06/2008
MGoPoints: 2242

"assuming that our offense held them to half of their normal production"

 

If we held a team to 0 output we would affect them by 1/8th. Since that pretty clearly didn't happen, at best it would be 1/16th.

If any of them played a defense ranked middle of the pack and we compared vs ours maybe we would see the true difference and be able to apply that back, 1/16th is probably too optimistic, we're probably talking 1/32nd at best, or 3%

October 29th, 2012 at 8:14 PM | Yeah, this, unfortunately.  (Score:3 Normal)
WolvinLA2
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Joined: 11/13/2009
MGoPoints: 17610

Yeah, this, unfortunately.  Look at how few attempts we have against us compared to everyone else on the OP's list.  We just haven't played teams who throw much at all.  We're not #1 in effeciency, just in total yards allowed. 

The fact that we've played a number of games in inclement weather doesn't hurt either.

October 29th, 2012 at 8:15 PM | Agreed, though most of them (Score:3 Normal)
turd ferguson
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Agreed, though most of them would be ranked higher (better) if not for being held below their season averages by Michigan.

October 29th, 2012 at 8:42 PM | MSU is the best passing (Score:3 Normal)
FrankMurphy
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MSU is the best passing offense we've faced? Wow, didn't see that coming.

October 30th, 2012 at 10:31 AM | But as a counter-example, the (Score:2)
bronxblue
Joined: 11/22/2008
MGoPoints: 12582

But as a counter-example, the best pass offense Alabama has faced is Arkansas, and when they did face them it was a shell of its current self.  Typically the best pass defenses in terms of rankings are because they play mediocre pass offenses.  So yeah, UM may not be #1, but it is always relative.

October 29th, 2012 at 8:08 PM | It's been nice to see the (Score:2 Normal)
kevnblue
Joined: 02/20/2011
MGoPoints: 25

It's been nice to see the guys step up in Countess' stead. Kovacs leadership, some great coaching, and...wait for it...TALENT seem to be going a long way! (unlike opponents' passes...)

"Sometimes you eat the bear, and sometimes, well, he eats you."

October 29th, 2012 at 8:29 PM | Are you giving RR credit (Score:3 Normal)
Maize and Blue ...
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MGoPoints: 3516

since the secondary minus Taylor was primarily recruited by RR?

October 29th, 2012 at 8:43 PM | Obligatory: (Score:5 Normal)
FrankMurphy
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Obligatory:

October 29th, 2012 at 9:28 PM | That game also happened (Score:2 Normal)
Lionsfan
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Joined: 06/03/2011
MGoPoints: 3893

That game also happened Halloween weekend, and Halloween 2009 we went on the road and got clobbered by Illinois.

So Halloween + Michigan football on the road = bad mojo (at least the last few years)

If you're doing nothing, how do you know when you're finished?

StraightDave owes me a steak dinner

October 29th, 2012 at 9:04 PM | Yeah, I'll give RR credit for (Score:3 Normal)
kevnblue
Joined: 02/20/2011
MGoPoints: 25

Yeah, I'll give RR credit for some of it. These guys aren't scrubs. They're current coaching staff is doing a good job with them, so they get credit, too. The D-line is putting good pressure on QBs, so they get credit too.

The secondary themselves are generally utilizing all three of those things, so they get the most credit.

"Sometimes you eat the bear, and sometimes, well, he eats you."

October 30th, 2012 at 8:16 AM | Their. (Score:2)
TIMMMAAY
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Their.

not just "douchey" MGoBlog user, but now TRUSTED MGoBlog user

October 29th, 2012 at 8:08 PM | GREG MATTISON Y U NO COACH (Score:5 Normal)
Gorgeous Borges
Joined: 10/07/2011
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GREG MATTISON Y U NO COACH OFFENSE??????

October 29th, 2012 at 8:51 PM | But (Score:3 Normal)
Balrog_of_Morgoth
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MGoPoints: 288

But then the defense wouldn't be proficient. 

October 29th, 2012 at 10:19 PM | MATTISON Y U NO COACH ALL OF (Score:5 Normal)
Gorgeous Borges
Joined: 10/07/2011
MGoPoints: 680

MATTISON Y U NO COACH ALL OF THE THINGS?

October 30th, 2012 at 7:38 AM | Taking your handle into (Score:2)
WeCheerThemAgain
Joined: 11/27/2010
MGoPoints: 466

Taking your handle into consideration, this is telling.

"I recently heard from fans and friends that Michigan will be great again one day.   In my opinion, Michigan never stopped being great."  --Zac Ciullo

October 29th, 2012 at 8:09 PM | and Minnesota is 7th only 14 (Score:4 Normal)
LSCrepair
Joined: 08/28/2009
MGoPoints: 651

and Minnesota is 7th only 14 yards/game behind Michigan

What?

I believe in equality for everyone, except reporters and photographers. -Mahatma Gandhi

October 29th, 2012 at 8:09 PM | Very impressed by the defense (Score:1)
MGoPAR
Joined: 10/27/2011
MGoPoints: 107

Have done the job in 7/8 games to give the offense a shot.  And well , the Alabama game, they are given a pass. 

"This is Michigan for God's sake."

October 30th, 2012 at 3:34 AM | Was that a pun?   (Score:1)
Finance-PhD
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Was that a pun?

 

October 29th, 2012 at 8:16 PM | I don't like rankings by yards. (Score:2 Normal)
Greg McMurtry
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It doesn't really tell the whole story.

...confidence is the stain they can't wipe off...

October 29th, 2012 at 8:22 PM | YPA is much more meaningful. (Score:1 Normal)
justingoblue
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We're not near the top of that elite list in YPA, but we're still pretty damn good.

Go Blue!

October 29th, 2012 at 9:10 PM | Indeed (Score:1 Normal)
Greg McMurtry
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And no Countess.

...confidence is the stain they can't wipe off...

October 29th, 2012 at 8:26 PM | Good To Hear, Of Course... (Score:3 Normal)
LSAClassOf2000
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MGoPoints: 8706

It's interesting that only 20 yards separate the 1st and last team on this list when it comes to average opponent passing yards really. Another representation of the fantastic progress that Greg Mattison has made in really a short span. The other stat that I think deserves mention is pass efficiency defense, and we're 15th nationally, I believe. We allow an average of 5.89 YPA, and there are actually three teams just in the Big Ten that are better in this regard. 

I looked at individuals stats on MGoBlue, and we've accumulated 7 interceptions for 127 yards, 14 pass breakups and 3 recorded QB hurries. Further, the top 5 tacklers on the team are the starting linebackers and both starting safeties, and combined, they have 9.5 TFL for 64 yards. That's sounding like a defense that is difficult to throw against, and it is a wonderful thing. 

Just in the conference, 122 yards separate the best passing defense (ours) and the worst (Ohio State).

 

"Funny isn't it, how naughty dentists always make that one fatal mistake."

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October 29th, 2012 at 8:49 PM | I think Coach Mallory really (Score:2)
JC3
Joined: 07/17/2009
MGoPoints: 1316

I think Coach Mallory really deserves a lot of credit here. Of course, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention all the guys back there (Especially Kovacs), but Coach has done a fantastic job with these guys.

With that being said, can you imagine how good Michigan's secondary will be in a few years? Look at all the size/length/athleticism they are recruiting... only one word is needed.

Wooooooo

Twitter l Contact 

October 29th, 2012 at 8:53 PM | Not sure if this is significant (Score:2)
bluetell
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Joined: 07/03/2008
MGoPoints: 4770

but I think it's obvious the real strength of the D is the run defense so it seems impressive that we also have the best pass D. How is that? Has no one figured out not to run on us yet?

Rudy watches inspirational movies about Shawn Hunwick

 

October 30th, 2012 at 3:38 AM | It is out of Coaching for (Score:1)
Finance-PhD
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MGoPoints: 73

It is out of Coaching for Dummies (as seen in the Waterboy). You run enough to make the other team put 8 in the box then you pass over their heads to the open receivers in the secondary. Some never win the run battle.

Naturally there is the argument of offense wins games while defense wins championships.

October 29th, 2012 at 9:00 PM | Credit (Score:1)
Hokemaniac24
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Joined: 09/02/2012
MGoPoints: 432

Give credit to the linebackers... These guys have done just about everything right on the season, from getting extreme pressure on the quarterbacks and playing solid zone coverage when needed to.  They are the main reason why our defense has been so successful this season. Great job boys and Go Blue!

2013 will be the year.

October 29th, 2012 at 9:09 PM | Mattison rocks (Score:2 Normal)
True_Blue
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MGoPoints: 566

He knows his football

Hail! to the Victors Valiant Hail!

October 29th, 2012 at 11:52 PM | I am amazed (Score:3 Normal)
BlueinLansing
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Joined: 09/01/2009
MGoPoints: 4189

at what he's been able to do with

1)  hardly any defensive line depth at all that included a converted offensive lineman that has shown little promise, a fifth year senior that has been teetering on the edge of "bust".

2)  outside rush ends that are undersized and under experienced

3)  a linebacking core that was both young, inexperienced and undersized which included a LB who was a 3 star out of HS that now looks like a bonified all-american as a sophomore,

4)  cornerbacks that were either recruited to other positions, or a fill-in freshman who wasn't expected to play because the stud got hurt

5) a nickle that was recruited as a QB

6) a former walk-on safety who is now so adept and sound at his position teams don't even try to attack him

 

This is what Mattison had to work with and he's done brilliantly to get them to this point.  In 21 games he's turned around the entire attitude and aptitude of one of the worst defenses in Michigan football history.  We are at a point I do not worry about the defense at all.

October 29th, 2012 at 9:26 PM | Nebraska's pass defense must have really shot up (Score:4 Normal)
ShruteBeetFarms
Joined: 09/25/2010
MGoPoints: 1527

after this weekend.

"I'm not a vegetarian b/c I love animals. I'm a vegetarian b/c I hate plants"

October 29th, 2012 at 9:34 PM | We have played (Score:0 Flamebait)
October 30th, 2012 at 3:40 AM | Some would argue (Score:1)
Finance-PhD
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Joined: 09/02/2012
MGoPoints: 73

Some would argue differently....

http://www.al.com/alabamafootball/index.ssf/2012/10/scarbinsky.html

October 29th, 2012 at 9:36 PM | On that list (Score:0 Flamebait)
October 29th, 2012 at 9:41 PM | Hail (Score:1 Normal)
bj33smith
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Joined: 10/26/2012
MGoPoints: 24

I'm really excited about how good our Defense is and is going to be even better the next couple seasons. Hopefully they can carry us until our incoming recruits gel on the offensive side of the ball.

This is Michigan for God's sakes

October 29th, 2012 at 10:10 PM | For the foreseeable future (Score:0 Flamebait)
October 29th, 2012 at 11:22 PM | I decided to run some numbers (Score:1)
Gameboy
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Joined: 11/28/2010
MGoPoints: 494

I decided to run some numbers on this subject to get some bias out due to opponents that each team played.

Here is what I did.

  • Get average yards per game for of all the opponents for all of the teams in the top 10 list
  • Find the percentage difference between the average and the actual for each game for these top 10 teams
  • I did not include any games against FCS teams

Running the numbers, this is what I get as the order out of these 10 teams:


Alabama -34%
Florida St -33%
Arizona St -32%
Minnesota -30%
LSU -30%
Nebraska -24%
Michigan -24%
Boise St -19%
Fresno St -18%
Vanderbilt -16%

So, we are significantly further down the list. However, teams like Arizona St and Minn do well because the other teams find it quite easy to run against them and don't bother passing much. Looking at the overall numbers including rushing and total yardages, we probably have a top 10 defense just behind teams like Alabama, Florida St, and LSU.

If people are interested, I will try to create a diary entry with my spreadsheet.

October 30th, 2012 at 3:43 AM | That would be interesting as (Score:1)
Finance-PhD
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Joined: 09/02/2012
MGoPoints: 73

That would be interesting as well as other defensive catagories like run for the top teams and the B1G.

If you have time that is. I know some people are gainfully employed.

 

October 30th, 2012 at 12:54 AM | Only in a conference where Matt McGloin and Taylor Martinez (Score:0 Flamebait)
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