Missed tackles not a problem for Michigan defense

There were certainly issues with the Wolverines defense in 2019, but missed tackles weren’t one of them (most of the time).

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Yes, the Michigan defense took a step back, instead of being the customary Top 4 unit it’s been under Jim Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Don Brown.

And while the unit had its share of miscues — at Wisconsin, early against Penn State and against Ohio State — overall, execution wasn’t the problem. It may have been in the aforementioned games, but that might be about it, particularly when it comes to tackling.

Scouting site Pro Football Focus took a look at which teams had missed the least amount of tackles, and the maize and blue came in on top, having missed just 81 tackles, a full 11 better than the nearest team, the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers.

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Naturally, while that’s good and all, the Wolverines need to be better in the games that matter. Of course we’re talking about Ohio State, where execution and miscues cost Michigan dearly, as the offense went toe-to-toe early, but the game got away from it as it wore on.

With a lot of new pieces coming in defensively — as starters such as Michael Dwumfour, Lavert Hill, Jordan Glasgow, Josh Metellus and Khaleke Hudson all moving on — a lot is riding on the newcomers at starting positions to execute and not miss tackles if the Wolverines are to have any shot at a meaningful season in 2020.