Michigan football may have lost against Iowa, but that doesn't mean opposing coaches are breathing sighs of relief and reducing the DEFCON level. In fact, for P.J. Fleck and Minnesota, what he saw on film raises his blood pressure a bit.
The Wolverines lost, but perhaps had their best, most complete showing all season. The offense moved the ball with seeming ease, and the defense was stingy. There was just that pesky problem of not getting into the end zone while allowing the Hawkeyes to remain within striking distance.
On Monday, Fleck was asked about the Michigan defense, and while it did allow 91 yards and a score to close the game, he notes that that side of the ball was beyond stellar, even on that drive. It was more happenstance that did the maize
and blue in, in his eyes, and it speaks to just how solid the Michigan defense is.
"I think when you watch the Iowa game, I mean, Iowa drives a ball down the field in the last few minutes on some tip balls and some penalties and things like that," Fleck said. "But if you watch that game, they didn't move the ball very well. Nobody really has, because the defense is -- I can't say even the strength, cuz they've got players everywhere, respectively. So it's really hard just to say their strength. But as you said, they're one of the more dominating defenses in the Big Ten, in the country.
"They play really violent, physical on their front seven. They're very technically sound. Their block destruction's at a very high level. They can get off blocks. Not only just get off blocks, make the play. They're constantly moving that offensive line and that line of scrimmage backwards, putting pressure on the quarterback in his face. And then they're elite coverage people, whether they wanna pressure, whether they wanna play zone, or whether they wanna be off. I mean, they play all different techniques. So again, they mix that up as well.
"Really good tacklers. John Madden said a long time ago, football's about blocking and tackling. You probably remember that, Dave, when he said that. Probably watching the game that he said it at. And it's true, and they're very good at those two things, the block destruction and tackling. And it's gonna be a major challenge for us, I know that."
The defense has been the star of the show all season thus far, save for that final drive against the Hawkeyes. But the offense came alive on Saturday, with quarterback Bryce Underwood carving up Phil Parker's quarters defense like a savvy veteran.
The jury has been out on Underwood, but not for Fleck. This past game was alarming for him, as he watched Underwood start to come into his own.
"I'll tell you what, he is such a gifted athlete, and he's really evolving as a really good quarterback," Fleck said. "Both the receivers last game had over 100 yards receiving, which again, you add that to their run game, and then you add him as a runner as well. They're massive up front. That's why I say that they're best football still ahead of them, and you can see it. And we're gonna have to play really sound, really aggressive, really tough on defense. Lots of different looks, and be really disciplined with it, because in every area they can beat you. And when you have 200 yards receiving against that defense they played last week, right, plus the running game, plus the numbers they were putting up, plus the quarterback passing and running, I mean, that's a juggernaut for sure. So we've got our hands full with that."
Michigan and Minnesota will kick off at noon EDT on Fox with the game set at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: P.J. Fleck calls Michigan a 'juggernaut' despite loss to Iowa
