The Mattison Miracle - Some Numbers
There was considerable speculation during the offseason as to what level of improvement was possible for the 2011 defense under Mattison. Jumping 40 or 50 spots in the rankings was considered the maximum plausible expectation based on exhaustive statistical analyses.
I couldn't wait to see where things stood following today's effort, so I went into spreadsheet mode and came up with the following:
| 2011 Ave | 2011 Rank | 2010 Ave | 2010 Rank | |
| Scoring Defense | 16.1 | 7 | 35.2 | 108 |
| Rushing Defense | 130.9 | 41 | 188.9 | 95 |
| Passing Defense | 191.3 | 22 | 261.9 | 112 |
| Total Defense | 322.2 | 17 | 450.8 | 110 |
The numbers should be accurate although there are a couple of late games that could nudge the yardage rankings a smidge. These numbers would be even better if the NCAA had counted the WMU game.
I know, I know, there are still two (+) tough games remaining, and I don't want to jinx anything, but how many thought these results were possible through 10 (9 that count) games. Color me delighted with Marvelous Mattison.
November 13th, 2011 at 1:40 AM ^
was called offside.
/that guy
November 13th, 2011 at 1:43 AM ^
The big ten is awful this year, the players are a year older, the offense is possessing the ball more which reduces possessions...
but yeah, MATTISON!
I know we're paying him a lot, but that dude deserves a raise, or at least some bonus money for these amazing results.
November 14th, 2011 at 4:26 PM ^
Conference doesn't even matter -- UMass put up points on us and they're not even in a conference.
November 13th, 2011 at 1:47 AM ^
It's insane how many 3rd and 1 or 4th and 1 stops we have made this year. Our defense just makes plays
November 13th, 2011 at 3:20 PM ^
This is what blows me away the most. I actually get excited now when I see 3rd and 1 come up. The game simplifies a bit, our guys have their assignments down, and no one can run inside on us in those situations. Great to have a defense that can kick teams off the field when the chips are down like that.
November 13th, 2011 at 1:51 AM ^
Beat D-coordinator
November 13th, 2011 at 8:37 AM ^
a good job, and now you want to kick his ass? (Beat = Best type-o?) ;-)
November 13th, 2011 at 2:48 AM ^
Mattison Lore..
He stands over 7 feet tall
He cracks helmets with his chin
the earth shakes everytime he says tremendous
he shoots lightning bolts from his ars...
signed, William Wallace
November 13th, 2011 at 3:31 PM ^
Meeeeechehan:
Gold-shitting, lighting farting champions of the west.
November 13th, 2011 at 1:28 PM ^
Best part is - this is a guy that truly loves michigan like we all do
it was really amazing to see the payoff today of all the complicated schemes he has installed this year. Remember earlier in the year people were saying "he's trying to run NFL schemes without NFL personnel"? And that was right at the time, but now they are running even more complicated schemes and looking comfortable doing so. What an amazing teacher.
November 13th, 2011 at 3:52 AM ^
Loved the emotion that G Mattison spoke about the defense after the game today. This is not a man who gives praise very easily,... only when deserved... a great coach. The fact that he is an incredible recruiter as well makes me want to lock him up til he is 75 years old if he will stay and Brandon pay.
November 13th, 2011 at 4:11 AM ^
Thanks again to Mr. Mattison's daughter who encouraged him to take the job. She is kind of my hero (and my wife grew up friends with her husband's family).
November 13th, 2011 at 11:03 AM ^
A billion Mgo points to Mattison family loyalty.
Another billion to the guy who is "the only man" who could get Mattison to come out of the NFL to a college gig again. I'm pointing at you, Mr. Hoke.
November 13th, 2011 at 11:48 AM ^
you can't point at HIM. Bad things could happen to you.
November 13th, 2011 at 5:20 AM ^
What a huge turn around. I love strong defenses and I'm very happy that Hoke and Mattison came to Michigan.
November 13th, 2011 at 7:58 AM ^
I can honestly say there have been only two teams in the last 15 years (97 & 06) where i was as PUMPED to watch the D as I am now.
Its....its....its....like it used to be under Bo again. I'm all tingly inside.
And FWIW....it's not like eiher Nebraska or OSU are fielding the second some great offensive threat. They've made their money this year on defense. They can be shut down too. These numbers might get BETTER.
November 13th, 2011 at 8:33 AM ^
After looking at our 2010 passing rankings, I think we need to fire Tony Gibson.
Oh, wait...
November 13th, 2011 at 9:48 AM ^
...from his current gig at Pitt and all future jobs. Yes, agreed.
November 13th, 2011 at 11:19 AM ^
Why the hell did Pitt hire him?
Also, Pitt went from 17th in pass defense last year to 68th in pass defense this year. It's mind-boggling that he's still employed in the FBS.
November 13th, 2011 at 12:19 PM ^
The coaching fraternity is pretty tight. Once you break in, you can usually find a job somewhere even if you're fired.
November 13th, 2011 at 3:57 PM ^
Gibson earned over $200K last year at Michigan. He was the highest paid assistant other than Gerg. People complain about not spending money on a good DC but some of that money went to Gibson... no way a DB coach should earn $200K .... especially a crappy one.
November 13th, 2011 at 8:48 AM ^
Michigan recruits good young athletes. They just needed proper coaching. We all knew it. We knew Spielman was wrong!
I see improvement at every position. I think the biggest change is the mentality. They know they can dominate their opponent and the coaches give them schemes and a stratedy to do it.
They get as many hats to the ball as they can. They play like a team and I'm proud of the product they put on the field.
Go Blue!
November 13th, 2011 at 10:22 AM ^
We are also #1 in the nation in red-zone defense, I believe (!)
November 13th, 2011 at 10:57 AM ^
Tremendous.
November 13th, 2011 at 11:43 AM ^
Anyone willing to do the work and throw the WMU game in there? For the 4th quarter "stats" just average the first 3.
I'm lazy, I'll admit it, so if no one is up for it. No problem.
November 13th, 2011 at 11:56 AM ^
We are orders of magnitude better than last year. We are galaxies away from the GERGapocalypse.
No one...and I mean NO ONE on this board thought we'd improve this much on defense.
November 13th, 2011 at 12:39 PM ^
Wait until he gets his own players in his system. Richardson, ross, clark, Etc
November 13th, 2011 at 12:45 PM ^
Hey Rich Rod, I though Vince Lombardi couldn't coach this defense? Apparently Mattison is quite capable of doing it.....
November 13th, 2011 at 3:57 PM ^
Mattison is quite obviously a better coach than Lombardi.
November 13th, 2011 at 12:48 PM ^
Mattison is the best thing to happen to Michigan football in over a decade.
November 14th, 2011 at 11:27 AM ^
Wow, certainly a huge improvement. One suggestion to get a more broad picture of the improvement: compare the passing and rushing offenses we've faced this year compared to what we faced last year. It would be interesting to see those stats included.
November 14th, 2011 at 12:15 PM ^
Does anyone know why Mattison left Michigan for Notre Dame? I assume it was better pay but never really knew, or don't remember, why. I do remember at the time that consensus was it would hurt Michigan's recruiting. GM had already established himself as a great recruiter way back then.
November 14th, 2011 at 6:33 PM ^
because of his daughter
November 15th, 2011 at 2:40 AM ^
He left michigan to go to Notre dame because ND told him it would put his daughter(s) thru school tuition free. I can't remember if ND gave him more money as well. People, my self included, we're really pissed off at him for doing this. I suppose he has redeemed himself now for that tradiorest act.