Michigan is Ranked Number 1 in Team Defense
I was looking at team Stats and Michigan, through ten games, is ranked number one in the following defensive categories:
Total Yards per Game: 232.8
Points per Game: 11.2
Rushing Yards per Game: 72.7
We are ranked 4th in Passing yards per game: 160.1
The numbers speak for themselves. Kudos to our players and coaches.
https://www.espn.com/college-football/stats/team/_/view/defense/stat/total/table/passing/sort/passingYardsPerGame/dir/asc
November 14th, 2022 at 4:58 AM ^
We also have the numbers 1 and 2(tied) scorers in the country. Moody and Corum respectively.
November 14th, 2022 at 7:01 AM ^
But, but...passing.
November 14th, 2022 at 8:54 AM ^
We have played no good teams this year. None. Remember how Don Brown’s defenses would python lesser teams and our stats would look astronomical then we would encounter a good team and get smoked?
Being too one dimensional presents a major vulnerability. Teams can sell out against the run and we can run them over anyway if they aren’t very good to begin with. We *might* get away with it against OSU. We will not get away with it against the likes of UGA.
Not sayin, just sayin. We need the passing game to be a viable threat to contend at the top level.
November 14th, 2022 at 9:16 AM ^
Buzzkill much?
November 14th, 2022 at 11:01 AM ^
You're the caveman whose family would get eaten by the sabertooth tiger because you would talk down any effort to guard against it with "buzzkill much?"
Go rewatch the Georgia game last year to understand why it would be silly for any Michigan player, coach or fan should rest on our laurels. We're not where we need to be yet.
November 14th, 2022 at 11:28 AM ^
And its obv the coaches know this as well. In the last two games its been apparent that they are rep more downfield passing.. players need to execute.
November 14th, 2022 at 9:22 AM ^
Playing hard, making the routine plays and being sound in "conventional wisdom" and "status quo" aspects of the game allow you to be competitive. Games are won by playing smarter and knowing how to go "off script". This Michigan team knows how to go "off script". All this hyperventilating about Michigan's offense being one dimensional is very deeply flawed. Routinely, JJ is running an offense that is requiring him to make four read options-and the first three options are runs. Teams have been walking 8 and 9 players up into the box and still cannot stop the run. The opposing DCs are not complete idiots-this is not a single-dimension offense.
November 14th, 2022 at 11:01 AM ^
Washington and Oregon both have passing games. Neither team has a defense. Maybe that's why they were passing so much.
Conversely, Michigan has played teams with pretty good pass defenses, but they couldn't stop our run game. So, run up the score and run out the clock.
November 14th, 2022 at 9:29 AM ^
Difference is Don Brown was one dimensional and never made adjustments when hood teams exposed him. Minter on the other hand is constantly making adjustments and it shows as our defense always plays better in the second half
November 14th, 2022 at 9:43 AM ^
This is such an uninformed post... Don Brown's defense - which was phenomenal in 2016 and 2017 - is nothing whatsoever like the defense Minter is running. NOTHING!!! And then your transition to offense makes no sense in context to either the thread or your first paragraph.
November 14th, 2022 at 10:09 AM ^
This sub thread is about offense and whether or not we can rely entirely on our running offense against elite teams. I brought up Brown's defense as a comparison on the basis of being one-dimensional, in the context of a commenter who implied, as many here do, that concern around the passing game is frivolous. The offense is the concern. You can see the coaches are trying to open it up, and the deep balls aren't connecting for one reason or another. Do you think the coaches are misinformed for trying to hone in the passing attack? Do you think we can run it down the throats of elite teams if we have no viable alternative? Maybe we can. But the fact that we've dominated mediocre-to-bad teams thus far isn't a great indication of that. And you would think recent memory would keep people honest with themselves... but that ain't how fandom works, is it?
November 14th, 2022 at 12:10 PM ^
Have you been paying attention to any of the insight (may I suggest Monday Morning Quarterback with Sam Webb and Devin Gardner).
Devin has repeatedly pointed out the, for some odd reason, most teams have been playing a Cover 2 safety shell against Michigan. Indiana is really the only team that has gone against that overall scheme. So when an OC (Weiss and Moore) and JJ see that, it dictates RUN THE BALL.
More specifically, the only really consist downfield passing play is when JJ rolls out and Michigan floods one side of the field with 3 receivers. One runs a fly route to pull the CB deep, another runs a shallow cross to pull up the LB and the slot runs a deep square out (or crossing route if coming from the backside. Most of the time it is the middle receiver (slot) that is opened up because the play scheme creates space between the LB covering the flat and the CB covering the fly route.
As for the simple fly routes, again in a Cover 2 shell, a CB responsibility to to simply run with the WR in his quarter, nothing else. So they stay on top of the receiver and pressing the sideline because they know they have safety help between the hashmarks.
My point in all this is that from some reason, most defenses have been playing this Cover 2 shell to contain the big plays (both in passing and running) and has dictated that Michigan grinds outs 7 minute drives. We have been more than happy to oblige
With all that being stated, the frustration has been growing week over week in the simple fact that when JJ does have an open receiver running a deep route he has been simply off in his targeting. There have been multiple chances where he has had a WR open by multiple steps and has not connected on many of them.
Is it the end of the world? Certainly not. The bigger point is that they keep showing it in games. The timing will come and as long as they keep showing it, a defense either A) Has to stay in the Cover 2 shell to minimize it OR B) Say the hell with this, we are going single high (or Cover Zero) and truly stacking the box and daring JJ to hit someone deep.
In our hand wringing fanbase that sounds like the simple thing to do against Michigan's offense, but A) Michigan has shown that they can muscle through a 7/8 man box and B) Your tempting asking your CB to be on an island now and yes most teams don't have enough confidence to pull a Don Brown "Im sticking my CB on an island" defense. Even the "Elite" teams....
Plus I'll take it another step further. Look at this years "Elite" teams...
UGA - Yup, I could see them playing 1 high Safety and sticking their CBs on an island
OSU - Sorry not sold on their defense, exposing their secondary would be risky
Tenn - sorry, their pass D is like 102nd, they will not stick their CBs on an island
Oregon, USC, UCLA - nope, nope, and nope none of those teams even have a comprehensive team defense
TCU - not sure, they certainly played really well against Texas would be interesting
This weeks game against Illinois will be interesting because I do believe they will play more single high safety and put an 8th man in the box.
November 14th, 2022 at 2:40 PM ^
I believe teams are playing in a cover 2 shell because their overall goal is to bend, not break and force Michigan to score touchdowns in the red zone which has been a bit hit and miss for us throughout the season. This strategy speaks to the respect other teams give Michigan, thanks to not only our rushing attack, but also JJ's legs and very effective dink and dunk passes to tight ends and running backs.
I do think that trying a few deep balls per game is essential to keeping teams honest. But I think our real concern is scoring 6 in the red zone against elite competition. Running in a confined space like that is difficult and Michigan has struggled in this department. I would have to believe that Michigan has a few schemes up their sleeve for OSU and beyond, however.
The short of it is, we have the best offensive line and running back in the country with a very talented QB and effective tight ends. What we lack in home run ability, we make up for in the inevitability of grinding out yards, down after down after down. This is body blow offense at its pinnacle. This is also why we see teams fall apart in the 2nd half. We keep the defense on the field for long stretches, eventually breaking them. The stats and trends speak for themselves. Hopefully our red zone offense proves effective against OSU because field goals simply will not cut it.
November 14th, 2022 at 12:19 PM ^
Are you saying that Iowa's defense is mediocre? Really??
And PSU was ranked #10 when UM blew 'em out. But that fact doesn't fit your contention that UM hasn't played any good teams, so you "conveniently" ignored it.
November 14th, 2022 at 11:47 AM ^
Honest question, but is it not similar to the Amoeba? I get that the Amoeba is more of a changeup than a base look, but from a high level there seems to be a lot of similarity in the concepts (disguising who is blitzing with man coverage on the outside). I would say the Amoeba goes for more bulk, where Brown typically prioritized smaller, faster players, but like I said, they seem like similar concepts.
November 14th, 2022 at 1:42 PM ^
I think they're very different! Brown's defense used man coverage exclusively, which freed up the LB's to do things. And all it really wanted out of the DL is QB containment. This is largely why OSU changed their offense to Day's system - it stresses coverage by having too many WRs for man to get everything: 'we have more WRs than you can cover man to man'. And that was true with Brown's system because the corner talent was dropping off as OSU changed schemes.
The switch to MacDonald's/Minter's/Ravens defense was the zag to OSU's zig. Heavier up front and far more variable in the back half. It's lighter on linebackers, but features more space players that can switch between various types of pass coverages. Part of why we think Colson hasn't really improved is because he hasn't figured out the whole pass coverage thing as well as Barrett has (because Barrett was a Viper in Brown's scheme).
November 14th, 2022 at 10:05 AM ^
Just stop with this nonsense. PSU is a very good team. They had one game where they didn't look like it. Michigan is doing that to teams.
Teams aren't selling out against the run since Indiana tried it. If that was the way to stop Michigan why wouldn't everyone be doing it? There's an obvious answer and it isn't that you know a lot more about football than Big Ten coaching staffs.
Michigan does not have a one-dimensional offense. The running game has been more effective than the passing game. That's far from the same thing. Opposing defenses still respect Michigan's passing game and the numbers back that up. There's definitely room for improvement and we see the coaches are working on the passing attack. Of course, everyone would like to see it be just as good as the run game, but having completely balanced offenses is hardly a requirement for winning football.
November 14th, 2022 at 10:19 AM ^
PSU is OK. Just OK. They have looked good in some wins but have won against zero good teams. Have they even beat a decent team? Who -- Maryland? Minnesota? Northwestern (who also played Ohio close and lost -- is that our criteria for anointing a team as "very good")?
I love this year's team, especially how they exceed expectations on defense, but the evidentiary basis for how meaningful our dominance thus far is --that is to say, how predictive it is re: our expected performance against the team(s) we need to beat-- is limited by the quality of our opponents.
This is a Michigan blog, fergodsakes. I would expect a little more appreciation for epistemic rigor
November 14th, 2022 at 10:09 AM ^
We have played no good teams this year. None.
According to the good people at Football Outsiders Penn State is actually the 7th best team and they were bludgeoned.
https://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/ncaa/fei/overall/2022
November 14th, 2022 at 10:44 AM ^
I'll take the accolades for our defense. (Feels like I've personally accomplished it.) PSU is good other than playing us. Had MSU been up, or Wisconsin been on the schedule and been up, or if UCLA had been on the schedule we'd be able to bask in the glory of our defense, but our schedule has been relatively soft compared to most years. It all comes down to OSU. (not overlooking Illiinois.)
November 14th, 2022 at 10:20 AM ^
So, in your eyes, PSU is not a good team? Not even a decent team? How about Iowa's defense? Your statements seems like too much of hyperbole. It is ok to be concerned but not all B1G teams are trash. May be, just may be, we are just that good.
November 14th, 2022 at 11:28 AM ^
Thanks for including the Iowa defense in this discussion. There's a team with barely a pulse for an offense. That explains why they are 4-3 in B1G games.
This thread is supposed to be about Michigan's defense. Dwelling on the lack of a deep passing game is just looking at the glass half empty (true as it is- but is off topic).
November 14th, 2022 at 10:30 AM ^
i'm puzzled by the negs for what seems to be such a reasonable and obvious assessment. If we can't get the passing game humming, it makes it easier for OSU to make us one dimensional, and thus easier to beat. Is there a chance that OSU can't stop our run game? sure. is that chance increased by a legitimately balanced attack that's equally dangerous on the ground and in the air? absolutely.
I don't have reason to believe that the team *can't* get back on the same page in the pass game, I just think the chances of victory in Columbus increase dramatically if/when they do.
November 14th, 2022 at 11:38 AM ^
The thread is about Michigan's defense, not (yet another) referendum on Michigan's passing offense. It is very on brand for Michigan fans, however: We have a top rated defense BUT WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF WE EVER NEED TO COMPLETE A PASS DOWNFIELD!?!?!
November 14th, 2022 at 2:42 PM ^
Two things can be correct. We have a great D, but our schedule sucks. Can't control 12 teams in our league suck hind tit!
November 14th, 2022 at 5:23 PM ^
Agreed on most points except one. The supposed Albatross that is our non-conference schedule is not as bad as it first looked going into the season. UCONN is actually bowl eligible. Retrospectively, there are a lot of other teams with a less credible non-conf schedule.
November 14th, 2022 at 9:18 AM ^
BPONE lurks for those that dwell below the bridge.
November 14th, 2022 at 10:13 AM ^
Well they can’t pass, at least more than 20 yards. No way this presents a problem the rest of the season, no way. Lol
November 14th, 2022 at 12:24 PM ^
JJ has completed passes longer than 20 yards, but those plays contradict your whining, so you just ignored them.
November 14th, 2022 at 6:09 AM ^
I saw this yesterday. Impressive considering we were supposed to have lost basically the entire D according to the experts. Granted three weeks of scrimmages factors into this, but impressive none the less. Lots of speed and helmets flying to the ball. Well done Minter and Co!
November 14th, 2022 at 8:11 AM ^
One of those "scrimmages", mind you, now happens to be a bowl-eligible team.
November 14th, 2022 at 9:06 AM ^
Yep, Sparty now hurts Michigan's SOS more than UCONN does.
I'm here for the LOLs.
November 14th, 2022 at 12:51 PM ^
No time for that right now. OOC is the worst anyone has ever seen ever. Pay no attention that UCONN currently has as many wins as #24 Kentucky and #18 Texas with a win over BC and Liberty.
The narrative the national press puts out that Michigan fans then carry for them is pretty amazing.
With the lack of "Jim Harbaugh is 3 -21 on night games above 57 degrees vs teams wearing red" type headlines this is our last bastion of hope or the opposite I suppose.
November 14th, 2022 at 8:21 AM ^
Dude, it wasn't just the experts saying we lost basically everybody, we literally did. Other than Smith on the d-line we lost almost every player who was a bonafide contributor on that side of the ball. This coaching staff has turned these guys into what they are, even dipping into the offence to grab someone who is now one of the best nickle backs in the country. We did lose a ton of talent, but this staff has turned what was left into a hell of a unit.
November 14th, 2022 at 12:39 PM ^
That's a little overstated. Turner ended up being our best CB last year, and he's back this year. Colson and Moore contributed last year, and they're back in bigger roles this year.
Ross' departure was a very big loss--the D just played better with him in rather than out last year. But LB play finally seems to have righted itself with Colson and Barrett (although absence of depth is troubling).
But Gemon Green is a good example of the sort of development to which you're referring--he was decent last year and very good this year (before the tunnel incident concussion). Clinkscale has done great things with the secondary, although they still get out-jumped by bigger receivers on some long passes.
Getting Okie from the portal has also been a boost for the pass rush.
November 14th, 2022 at 6:11 AM ^
Feels weird considering the defense really doesn't feel dominating and I wonder if that isn't because the offense's MO is to grind down the other team. The defense usually gives up one, maybe two, real drives in the first half while the offense is grinding so it doesn't feel like we're dominating because it's a low scorer, but then it's the end of the 3rd, the other team is getting snuffed out by Minter, the offense is finally grinding them to dust, and suddenly you're up by 3 or 4 scores and you're like oh the defense is killing them
November 14th, 2022 at 8:07 AM ^
McDonald was great and I mean great, but Minter is better imo. McDonald made great adjustments at the half while Minter adjust in game. Not to mention the D this year with less stars, seems more cohesive and plays with a nasty streak. OSU will be a test but I’m at peace with this defensive staff confusing and harassing Stroud like he’s never been.
November 14th, 2022 at 8:35 AM ^
First half: Minter downloads the offensive strategy
Second half: Defense throttles the opposing offense
November 14th, 2022 at 8:37 AM ^
I've been impressed by Minter, but until he does it against Ohio State, I'm not about to say he's better than McDonald.
November 17th, 2022 at 7:07 AM ^
I agree with that, but the one memory that comes to mind with McDonald, was watching Sparty running hurry up the whole game and not adjusting. Minters biggest flaw this year was being slow to adjust to Indiana throwing a screen every dam play.
November 14th, 2022 at 9:22 AM ^
You think anybody else might catch on that the Ravens have some coaching talent? I am guessing we will be in a constant cycle of coordinator replacement which should draw talent but will also mean having to replace it. That being said I hope Jim is asking John for next up!
November 14th, 2022 at 10:57 AM ^
Yes please.
::inserts Gary Busey 'Utah, get me two' gif::
November 14th, 2022 at 2:45 PM ^
In fairness to Mike McDonald, last year's defensive adjustments in the locker room at half probably sounded a little like this:
"Aiden, David--uh, keep doing what you've been doing."
"The rest of you guys--go get 'em!"
"Okay, who wants a sandwich?"
Not taking anything away from Jesse Minter, whose defenses have given up 3 points in the 3rd quarter in the last 5 games. Five. Games.
November 14th, 2022 at 8:07 AM ^
I saw a Reddit post that perfectly describes Michigan's 1st and 2nd half performance:
"Watching Michigan this year has been like watching a psychopath drown a ferret in a bathtub. At first there’s a lot of thrashing around, the ferret draws some blood, and you start to think “Hey, that little guy just might make it out of here.” But then the psychopath’s grip doesn’t loosen, in fact it tightens. The thrashing about slows and the ferret begins to accept its fate, culminated by an anticlimactic gurgle."
November 14th, 2022 at 8:31 AM ^
That description seems... a little too first hand...
November 14th, 2022 at 8:51 AM ^
And also, let's not forget, let's not forget, Dude, that keeping wildlife...um an amphibious rodent, for...um you know, domestic...within the city...
that ain't legal either.
November 14th, 2022 at 9:25 AM ^
What's with you and ferrets? Clearly a vendetta.
November 14th, 2022 at 8:07 AM ^
Good point. The time of possession game is obviously keeping the D off the field. Not that they’re not among the very best. But part of the D is the offensive running domination.
November 14th, 2022 at 11:18 AM ^
The defense doesn't feel dominating? What games have you been watching? They've given up 98 points in 10 games (14 points on the PSU pick-6 and Rutgers punt block shouldn't count against them). That's like two games for Tennessee's defense.