The defense needs talent and a new scheme
How Michigan's defense has ranked in 14 key per-game or per-play categories over the past five seasons. In 2016, the Wolverines were top-15 in everything. In 2020, Michigan isn't a top-50 group in one, and this is BEFORE facing Ohio State. pic.twitter.com/OMtyb4i4K6
— Zach Shaw (@_ZachShaw) December 8, 2020
The first thing that jumped out watching the Wolverines is just how predictable the defense is. Don Brown has tried to play more zone coverage, but it just isn’t working for Michigan as he tends to fall on man-to-man coverage with predictable safety help. This allows teams to create mismatches and key on specific players.
Against Ohio State, Michigan needs to get away from its coverage scheme as Justin Fields will pick it apart. There is not enough disguising from Don Brown to make the defense effective. It will be a long day if the Wolverines can’t get pressure and have to rely on the secondary to stop the Buckeyes.
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