Michigan allowing 0.5 yards per play fewer than anyone else in the country
Michigan is allowing 0.5 yards per play fewer than the 2nd best team in the nation, per The Solid Verbal on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SolidVerbal/status/1043910151609159680.
The 2nd best team in the nation is allowing 0.4 yards per play fewer than the 10th best team. The dropoff from everyone else to Michigan is striking. They are also 4th in S&P thus far. I've seen a lot of people saying here that this defense is not as good as 2016, or even 2017, but the numbers don't appear to back that up.
Just thought I'd throw this out there for people who think the defense isn't that good this year.
September 23rd, 2018 at 6:52 PM ^
Full list:
Defensive Yards/Play Allowed (min 3 FBS opp)
- Michigan.. 3.6
- Washington St.. 4.1
- Temple.. 4.1
- Kentucky.. 4.2
- Washington.. 4.3
- Iowa.. 4.4
- Maryland.. 4.4
- Clemson.. 4.4
- Notre Dame.. 4.4
- Florida St.. 4.5
September 23rd, 2018 at 6:54 PM ^
how does FSU make the list, they haven't looked very good this year...surprising.
September 23rd, 2018 at 7:12 PM ^
FSU's problem is the offense. They literally have no tackles on the roster...
September 23rd, 2018 at 8:31 PM ^
They literally have 9.
September 24th, 2018 at 11:44 AM ^
“She says, like literally
Music is the air she breathes
And the malaprops make me want to fucking scream
I wonder if she even knows what that word means
Well, it's literally not that.”
September 23rd, 2018 at 9:22 PM ^
I think you literally just misused the word literally.
September 23rd, 2018 at 10:44 PM ^
People who misuse the word “literally” figuratively drive me crazy.
September 23rd, 2018 at 11:21 PM ^
Insert video:
Weird Al’s “Word Crimes”
September 23rd, 2018 at 7:20 PM ^
They're like a Brady Hoke Michigan team. Decent on D, God awfully putrid on O
September 23rd, 2018 at 7:25 PM ^
A couple issues.
1. It is not adjusted for competition level. FSU's schedule is not weak to date, but it does include one FCS team.
2. Small sample size. One outlier or facing one terrible offense could significantly impact the numbers.
Also as the post above said, FSU's primary problem has been on offense, and more specifically, the offensive line. There is some talent on their defense.
September 23rd, 2018 at 8:36 PM ^
Actually, FSU gave up 525 yards to Samford, the Seminoles' worst defensive performance by far.
So if you removed the FCS team, they would probably have an even better YPP.
September 23rd, 2018 at 7:43 PM ^
Surprised to see Bama is not on that list.
September 23rd, 2018 at 8:03 PM ^
I don't think they've played 3 FBS teams.
September 23rd, 2018 at 8:17 PM ^
You're either trying to crack a joke or incorrect.
Bama has played Louisville (2-2), Arkansas State (3-1), Ole Miss (3-1), and Texas A&M (2-2). 3 of those 4 are Power 5.
September 23rd, 2018 at 8:46 PM ^
Incorrect and too lazy to do a google search.
September 24th, 2018 at 8:21 AM ^
Doesn’t Bama still have a couple of FCS opponents left on their schedule?
They’ll be just fine in the metric indexes.
September 23rd, 2018 at 6:53 PM ^
I said before the season started that I thought this year's defense could be better than both 2016 and 1997. The starters are beginning to flex their muscles. And the backups are getting quality PT so experienced depth is growing. If the guys stay relatively healthy, this D has a real chance to be Michigan's best in a very long time.
September 24th, 2018 at 1:25 AM ^
It’s a good D!
September 24th, 2018 at 4:38 AM ^
better than 97? no way. that team gave up under 200 yds and 10 pts per game. it was sick. they didn't need to blitz to put constant pressure on the QB. and woodson took out the other teams #1 receiver every game.
September 24th, 2018 at 8:10 AM ^
^^^Agree.
September 24th, 2018 at 9:25 AM ^
So this current team doesn't get pressure rushing 4? At all? With Winovich and Gary?
September 23rd, 2018 at 6:53 PM ^
Interesting, but we need to keep this all in perspective.
September 23rd, 2018 at 6:54 PM ^
We should also keep perspective in perspective
September 23rd, 2018 at 7:43 PM ^
This seems like forced perspective.
September 24th, 2018 at 8:22 AM ^
We won’t know anything until 2027.
September 23rd, 2018 at 7:03 PM ^
And how might you do that without numbers to back it up?
September 23rd, 2018 at 7:13 PM ^
Now, now....the OP of the "Perspective" thread had it right. To maintain perspective, you must respond to arguments no one ever made and disconnect yourself from the actual numbers. Only by doing these things can we maintain "perspective".
In all seriousness though, the numbers say that, four games into the season, this is a pretty damn good defense. Definitely agree with that.
September 23rd, 2018 at 7:18 PM ^
In other words, knit together a pretty strawman, then beat that strawman all to hell. Perspective!
September 23rd, 2018 at 7:59 PM ^
I hate this place! How could so many people beat me to it?
September 23rd, 2018 at 8:34 PM ^
Just keep it in perspective.
September 23rd, 2018 at 7:11 PM ^
Whatever you do, do NOT call the defense a "bulldozer". That's like saying Voldemort's name or something.
September 23rd, 2018 at 8:14 PM ^
*gasps*
September 23rd, 2018 at 7:14 PM ^
We're not allowed to have perspective until we beat OSU and MSU.
September 23rd, 2018 at 7:20 PM ^
Exactly
September 23rd, 2018 at 8:02 PM ^
But selling T shirts is a good start.
September 23rd, 2018 at 8:06 PM ^
Getting very positive recruiting updates from an Alabama fan* is a plus, too.
*Who of course is an actual Alabama fan and not a Michigan fan's sock puppet account - that'd never be done.
September 23rd, 2018 at 8:12 PM ^
Umich1,
I will always upvote any reference to the moment in MGoBlog history that has made me laugh the hardest for years.
September 23rd, 2018 at 9:08 PM ^
That, and the original Lloyd Brady photoshop thread were two of the greatest moments in this here blogs history.
September 24th, 2018 at 11:01 AM ^
The CRex chronicles were my absolute favorites. The Lloyd Brady photoshop thread was also amazing. Great call out.
September 23rd, 2018 at 8:36 PM ^
Depends on where you are.
September 23rd, 2018 at 6:56 PM ^
I think the defense was suffering at DT early on in the season but Kemp and Mone have really come on and Marshall has bolstered the depth. Once Solomon is back, this defense will be at or above 2016 levels in my opinion. Bush is equal to or better than Peppers and Hudson is a helluva Viper, Gary and Winovich are the best pair of DEs in recent history, and the CBs are close to Lewis and Clark. The safeties aren't quite as good this year but pretty close.
September 23rd, 2018 at 8:05 PM ^
Seems like there are hints of Dwumfour coming on as well - would really be something if they can make up for lack of Hurst with so much depth as to wear down opposing guards.
September 23rd, 2018 at 8:39 PM ^
Safety depth this year is better with Hawkins.
September 23rd, 2018 at 9:43 PM ^
"...and the CBs are close to Lewis and Clark."
That's an alarmingly large distance away from Michigan Stadium.
September 24th, 2018 at 2:11 AM ^
Bush is far better than Peppers. Best player on the team.
September 23rd, 2018 at 7:12 PM ^
All right, I was on the fence, but I think Brown's earned the right to keep his job another week.
September 23rd, 2018 at 7:15 PM ^
LOL!! It was just last week that people were actually considering whether Brown was good at his job. I mean, somebody (don't remember who, but probably one of the cratered accounts) that literally said "Don Brown sucks"! Seriously. Someone said that.
September 23rd, 2018 at 10:04 PM ^
Alumnus93 is insistent that Durkin is better
September 25th, 2018 at 11:08 AM ^
It should be noted, www.firedonbrown.com is not a valid website. Should never be.