The Oregon Ducks will host the Michigan Wolverines at Autzen Stadium this weekend for the first time since 2003, but this time it will be the Wolverines looking to play spoiler to the Ducks' postseason hopes.
Michigan has the defense to do it, while the offense remains another story. With NFL talent and plenty of veteran leadership on hand, the moment in front of a raucous Oregon crowd shouldn't be too threatening to the Wolverines, and it could create a low-scoring affair.
Oregon is fresh off a 41-28 blowout on the road over Ohio State, while Michigan fell at home to rival Michigan State, 15-6, despite keeping the Spartans out of the end zone. Michigan's defense has been up to the task against everyone on the schedule this season, but Oregon presents
the biggest test yet. Conversely, the Ducks have been rolling on offense after making changes to the coaching staff, but the Wolverines might be a difficult matchup.
The Ducks don't have any margin for error, but the Wolverines have a stout secondary and an aggressive front seven that could slow Oregon's momentum. Let's take a look at what Michigan does on defense schematically, who to watch out for, and what the Ducks might be able to do to put points on the board.
What does Michigan do well on defense?
Defensive coordinator Jay Hill operates out of an aggressive 4-2-5 nickel defense that relies on simulated pressures and physical play in the secondary. The Wolverines play more man coverage than the average defense, relying on defensive backs getting their hands on receivers to force them off their lines and tip passes away before an elite wideout has a chance. Michigan has limited opponents to 154.8 passing yards per game, fifth-best in the country.
When playing zone coverage, Michigan runs plenty of different pressures while having an experienced front four that can get after the quarterback by itself. The Wolverines play out of the nickel to allow an extra rusher in different looks, and when a team comes out in 12 personnel (one running back, two tight ends), the defense often shifts into a 4-3 look to help stop the run.
That balance has helped Michigan rank among the best defenses in the country, limiting opponents to just 16.2 points per game (16th in the nation) and 100.6 rushing yards per game (17th).
Players to Know
DL John Henry Daley
John Henry Daley was the biggest transfer portal acquisition in the offseason for Michigan, following Kyle Whittingham from Utah, where he was a first-team All-American last season. Daley has picked up where he left off, leading the Wolverines with six sacks and nine tackles for loss. Michigan has several good pass rushers up front, including Dom Nichols and Tariq Boney, but Daley is by far the biggest threat that the Ducks will need to keep an eye on. He had his best game of the season last week against Michigan State, racking up eight tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble.
DB Zeke Berry
Like the defensive line, Michigan's secondary has plenty of depth. Zeke Berry is in his fifth season with the Wolverines, and the second-team All-Big Ten defensive back is having his best season yet. Berry has compiled 30 tackles, one interception and a team-leading four deflections. Berry plays primarily out of the nickel and is capable of stepping up against the run as well.
DB Rod Moore Jr.
Another veteran player in the secondary, Rod Moore Jr. is a big piece of the Wolverines' success against the pass this season, ranking ninth in the nation, allowing just 5.9 yards per pass. Moore has 30 tackles and one interception this season, but he has eight career interceptions with the Wolverines and rarely lets a receiver beat him on deep passes. Oregon has taken more chances downfield in recent weeks, so Moore will be tasked with taking those opportunities away.
Are the Ducks built to score on Michigan?
Despite only allowing 16.2 points per game, Michigan's defense has struggled at various times this season to hold opponents down because of the poor field position the offense sometimes leaves them in. The Wolverines are making changes on offense this week, which could lead to a spark, but facing Oregon's red-hot defense might not be the week we see much improvement. The Ducks' offense could be set up with positive field position and easy scoring opportunities if the Wolverines turn the ball over or can't get away from their own end zone.
Michigan has also had trouble defending the seams this season, which is where the Ducks love to live with throws to Jamari Johnson and on in-breaking routes for Dakorien Moore. The Wolverines defend the sideline well, but if they move into zone coverage, some of the holes in the defense can be exposed over the middle.
The Wolverines also haven't faced many potent passing attacks this season. Oregon is by far the best they have seen this season, so the pass defense numbers could be inflated a bit, but this weekend will obviously be the proving ground. Oregon could win with short throws on first down, especially if the ground game stumbles against this front.
Oregon should also be able to capitalize in the red zone against a defense that ranks 128th in FBS in the red area, while the Ducks' red zone offense ranks 14th-best.
What should we expect?
Michigan's defense has no shortage of experience and physicality. I think this is a week where Oregon's offensive line could struggle in pass protection if Dylan Raiola holds the ball too long. It's going to be up to Jay Johnson to set up different looks and find timely play calls to beat the blitz and take advantage of zone coverage.
The depth at linebacker is also a point the Ducks could test. Troy Bowles and Nathaniel Staehling have exceeded expectations this season in the middle of the defense, but Oregon has playmakers that can force missed tackles at the second and third levels of the defense, and the Ducks often tried to get Ohio State's linebackers out in space on screen passes and outside runs. I could see the Ducks rolling with a similar game plan this week and testing Michigan's linebackers to run sideline to sideline.
Oregon might have a hard time running the ball this week, which isn't anything new, but the Ducks do need to win their one-on-one matchups on the outside this week. Smith Snowden and Jyaire Hill are NFL-caliber corners who are handsy and know how to win at the catch point. The Ducks will need to create separation on underneath routes to allow Raiola to get rid of the ball, or the defensive line will collapse the pocket.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: What should the Oregon Ducks expect from Michigan's defense?
