Snowflakes: Defense
One of the best I've seen in my life. Once it exited the Big 10 it still smashed some SEC and P12 offenses. Every level of the defense was amazing. Mikey is a generational player for our university and our 2 DTs Graham and Grant are going to be all timers next year too! WJ!
January 8th, 2024 at 11:26 PM ^
The offensive game plan became conservative once we saw the defense truly was a brick wall. This defense has been simply world class.
January 8th, 2024 at 11:33 PM ^
What Jesse Minter did tonight is legendary.
As I wrote in the game thread, we need a Jesse Minter appreciation MONTH and that man can fuck my sister.
January 8th, 2024 at 11:51 PM ^
Maybe I’m just emotionally exhausted from it all but this comment made me spit my drink out
January 9th, 2024 at 1:59 AM ^
He is gentleman and will wait his turn like the rest of us.
January 9th, 2024 at 12:15 AM ^
What an exclamation mark by this D. WOW. That was a fucking game plan and execution there. Legendary performance
January 9th, 2024 at 12:25 AM ^
Even the way they communicated pre-snap suggested they'd accounted for everything Washington could throw at them. And but for a couple of busts, they got it all right.
January 8th, 2024 at 11:27 PM ^
BEST DEFENSE EVER GLORY TO JESSE MINTER
January 8th, 2024 at 11:29 PM ^
Defense was amazing. To hold Wash to 13! Got some help from Penix being off but also pressure to push him off, without sending extra men hardly at all. That made the difference: pressure with 7 in D backfield
January 8th, 2024 at 11:33 PM ^
That front 7 from Michigan got Penix off balance, TBF. But, I agree, holding this high powered offense to 13(!!) points is absolutely amazing!
January 8th, 2024 at 11:29 PM ^
Pay Minter whatever he wants.
January 8th, 2024 at 11:32 PM ^
All our gold (bitcoin?)!!!!
January 8th, 2024 at 11:30 PM ^
Legendary
January 8th, 2024 at 11:31 PM ^
Is this defense better than 1997? This has to be one of the best defenses in modern college football history.
January 8th, 2024 at 11:34 PM ^
Neutered Heisman runner up and 3 NFL WRs including #2 on draft boards. Shut down #1 WR in AA a month ago.
97 had a once in a generation player but gosh darn in this modern era with passing offenses vs the 90s this was amazing. (granted Iowa had a better offense in 97 v now lol)
We have TWO DTs who may be in our top 5 of all time by next year - both as true sophomores. Mikey won't ever be truly appreciated - his play last year in Columbus is an all timer, tonight he was everything.
We broke their RB and QB. I felt bad for Penix on that last drive, their coach should have pulled him just out of dignity.
January 8th, 2024 at 11:58 PM ^
Good post.
I think we’ll look back and realize that we somehow didn’t appreciate guys like Will Johnson enough.
They were impregnable all year. In the biggest moments. In every moment.
January 8th, 2024 at 11:37 PM ^
Absolutely one of the best. UGA a few years ago certainly in that conversation as well
January 8th, 2024 at 11:49 PM ^
That’s a hell of a conversation to have at some point. In my elation tonight, I’d say yes, this defense is better than ‘97.
January 8th, 2024 at 11:56 PM ^
Honestly, both '97 and '23 are national champs and great defenses. Let others debate who is better.
January 8th, 2024 at 11:31 PM ^
Jesse Minter is going places.
DL won the game IMO.
January 8th, 2024 at 11:33 PM ^
In the end, the defense forced Washington to quit. The Huskies were all done. They had nothing left. Michigan took the fight from them. Too much pressure, to many disguised blitzes and hits on Penix.
January 8th, 2024 at 11:37 PM ^
Sadly, if Harbaugh leaves, I bet he takes Minter.
January 8th, 2024 at 11:43 PM ^
Wouldn't mind a billion dollars thrown at Jedd Fisch and half a bill thrown at Minter. Harbaugh can take Moore to the NFL.
January 9th, 2024 at 12:12 AM ^
Fisch? No thanks. Thank him for OKorn.
January 8th, 2024 at 11:39 PM ^
If JH is leaving the place he should be going is Michigan HC.
January 8th, 2024 at 11:32 PM ^
Minter is going to make a LOT of money for someone next year, as a Head Coach or NFL DC. Thank you for getting us the payoff for the last four year narrative.
January 8th, 2024 at 11:32 PM ^
Michigan held this Washington team to a lower score than Washington State in the 1/1/98 Rose Bowl.
They are brilliant. The players are elite. The scheme is elite. These guys are so wonderful.
Peerless.
January 8th, 2024 at 11:33 PM ^
A couple of uncharacteristic busts in the secondary, but otherwise a very good effort. Pressure was good, push against the run was good, coverage and tackling mostly good.
January 8th, 2024 at 11:44 PM ^
Against this team, going to happen.
The pressure created caused Penix to be off, which caused a few uncharacteristic Washington drops.
January 9th, 2024 at 12:02 AM ^
This was the best passing offense Michigan has faced in the last three years. They played as perfectly tonight given the level of the opponent as one could reasonably expect.
January 8th, 2024 at 11:33 PM ^
DL is amazing. True sophomores Graham, grant, and Moore. Hot damn. If Stewart and McGregor come back holy shit.
January 8th, 2024 at 11:33 PM ^
Minter for President
January 8th, 2024 at 11:34 PM ^
To hold this team to a mere 13 points was an amazing job.
January 8th, 2024 at 11:34 PM ^
Cartier shades for every freaking one of them.
January 8th, 2024 at 11:34 PM ^
Mikey is one the modern day D Mount Rushmore imo. Woodson, Graham, hutch, Mikey. I’m probably missing somebody, but fuckit, I’m tired!
January 8th, 2024 at 11:40 PM ^
We have had amazing players over decades. You remember specific plays for only a few of them. For Mikey I can think of 7-8 the past 2 years. Yes recency bias but you remember where you were for Desmond plays, for Tim B 3000000ish yards vs OSU, for Woodson punt return. Mikey has a resume among our best. Truly.
January 8th, 2024 at 11:47 PM ^
The Stover PBU was amazing.
January 8th, 2024 at 11:34 PM ^
That was a masterpiece. Mason Graham is a monster. I don’t think Minter will be back, but hopefully they can find another gem to replace him.
January 8th, 2024 at 11:35 PM ^
Retire 0.
January 8th, 2024 at 11:57 PM ^
0 is going up there with 2 in terms of jerseys that should be handed out to only a select few.
January 8th, 2024 at 11:37 PM ^
We're National Champions! Let's Fuckin Go!!
January 8th, 2024 at 11:37 PM ^
They get an A++. Holding Washington to only 13 points is spectacular! They literally beat up Michael Penix. Got to love those 2 INTs. Mikey almost took it to the house in the 4th quarter.
Best defensive effort all season and in the biggest game against an explosive Washington offense.
January 8th, 2024 at 11:42 PM ^
What an amazing performance by the defense. They gave up almost nothing and had 2 crucial interceptions. They were the tip of the spear all season and have taken us to the promised land. Go Blue!
January 8th, 2024 at 11:42 PM ^
Jesse Minter is an MVP. What he was able to dial up against that offense is nothing short of amazing. He is an elite, NFL caliber coach.
January 8th, 2024 at 11:46 PM ^
Is up there with the best defenses of all time. Hopefully we can hold on to Minter, but if he moves on, he has earned it.
January 8th, 2024 at 11:47 PM ^
Could be the best Michigan defense ever. Full stop.
January 8th, 2024 at 11:47 PM ^
Tonight they drink from the keg of glory!
January 8th, 2024 at 11:49 PM ^
Gave up less points to a vaunted Washington offense than it did against Alabama.
It makes me sad to know there is almost no way Jesse Minter is on this staff by the end of the month, but he’s earned the right to head off to the league.
Might be the most dominant defensive performance I’ve seen in a long time.
This team would’ve beaten Georgia even if Georgia was in the CFP.
January 9th, 2024 at 12:06 AM ^
Georgia fans should learn to shut the fuck up. You didn't win your conference title game and we just beat Bama. Demolishing an under-manned and unmotivated FSU team proves zero.
January 8th, 2024 at 11:51 PM ^
The game plans for Penn State, Ohio State, Alabama, and Washington were all incredible. The sum greatly exceeds the parts. This coaching staff is stacked.
