Consternation within the Michigan football fanbase surrounding defensive coordinator Wink Martindale started quickly and built throughout the season as he struggled to match his predecessors’ success. However, the past few games, the Wolverines have been much better defensively.
Though there have still been some uneven performances — the first halves against Oregon and Indiana both saw each team have early success before the Michigan defense clamped down in the second half — the Wolverines haven’t allowed a touchdown since the first half of the Indiana game.
So, what’s now suddenly going right? It seems counter-intuitive, given that star cornerback Will Johnson hasn’t been in the lineup since the first half of the Week 8 game at Illinois. Martindale shared with Jon Jansen on the Inside Michigan Football program why the defense appears to be turning the corner now.
“Well, I think that the different adjustments with guys playing more snaps and things of that nature — and just the growth of the unit together,” Martindale said. “We had a lot of guys that have — for example, like Zeke Berry. I don’t even think he traveled until this year. And those guys are getting used to having game-time reps and playing together. And we’ve had a lot of injuries. We’ve had a lot of guys moving in and out of the lineup, but the communication — especially the last three games — have been great. The Oregon game, that was a tough start. I think from halftime of Oregon to now, we’ve been playing really well defensively.”
With Ohio State coming up, it’s not a moment too soon. But it’s not just players like Zeke Berry and Aamir Hall coming on late. It also speaks to the success of the front line.
Michigan features the nation’s No. 1 pass rush, according to PFF, and if the Wolverines are going to stand a chance, the front is going to have to dominate the patchwork OSU offensive line that’s played admirably, despite injuries suffered there.
Martindale feels like Michigan always has a defensive advantage in the trenches, so he’s excited to see how his group performs against the Buckeyes.
“I think that we have to have an advantage there going into every game,” Martindale said. “They’ve done a nice job. (Josaiah Stewart) has had a tremendous year. I think he’s 8.5 sacks now. Mason, he’s going to be a first-round draft choice. And K.G., I think the same, I think the same way of K.G. is I do (Mason), and they’ve played a lot of reps this year compared to what they’ve done in the past. And I just — it’s going to be a fun game. And we’ll see where it happens.”