We’re four games into Michigan’s season and the Wolverines now have a bye week to evaluate what they got right and got wrong on offense, defense, and special teams during that 3-1 stretch.
Here’s a look at Michigan’s PFF (Pro Football Focus) grades and rankings on defense through four games.
- Overall grade on defense: No. 22 (89.9)
- Rushing defense: No. 14 (91.5)
- Pass coverage: No. 22 (89.2)
- Tackling: No. 3 (91.8)
- Pass rush: No. 58 (72.0)
Here’s a look at weekly offensive grades and rankings.
- vs New Mexico in 34-17 win: 78.5 overall grade, 74.6 pass coverage, 90.7 run defense grade
- at Oklahoma in 24-13 loss: 63.7 overall grade, 68.3 pass coverage grade, 65.5 run defense grade
- vs Central Michigan in 63-3 win: 91.0 overall grade, 89.9 pass coverage grade, 91.3 run defense grade
- at Nebraska in 30-270 win: 72.7 overall grade, 63.6 pass defense grade, 84.1 run defense grade
Analysis
Michigan’s defense, while it still has things to work on, has been the strongest unit for the Wolverines through the first quarter of the season. This should
come as no surprise, with names such as linebacker Jaishawn Barham and linebacker Ernest Hausmann wreaking havoc on a weekly basis. Further, this is Michigan defensive coordinator Wink Martindale’s second year with the program, and it’s clear most players have a good understanding of what’s being asked of them. Michigan’s defense is strong in every area except pass rush. However, it looks like they may have turned the corner there, recording seven sacks in their last game versus Nebraska. Michigan’s defense is among the best in PFF rankings, but it only ranks in the top ten in one category, ranking No. 3 in tackling. If Michigan wants to be considered one of the best in that nation, they’ll have to wind up ranking in the top 10 or top 5 in every defensive category — which is something they accomplished when Jesse Minter was defensive coordinator.
Yesterday, we covered Michigan’s PFF grades on offense — to read about the CLICK HERE
