September 16th, 2023 at 10:47 PM ^
Solid tackling while it counted and made big impact plays on a number of occasions. Very tough against the run so far.
September 16th, 2023 at 10:48 PM ^
Lot of stuff to fix in the secondary if we want to win in conference play. A bit worried because this looks a bit like when I saw OSU play Tulsa and struggle in 2021 and knew they would lose to Michigan.
September 16th, 2023 at 11:23 PM ^
Well, 2 of our 3 best secondary players were out, so getting them back should help.
September 16th, 2023 at 11:25 PM ^
I also don't think Ohio State's secondary was the reason we beat them in 2021. Anyways, the only really bad play from the secondary tonight was Wallace getting burned on that dropped would-be TD.
September 16th, 2023 at 10:49 PM ^
Defense made the game. Was solid at the right times and made key turnovers.
September 16th, 2023 at 10:49 PM ^
They need Moore and Johnson back in the long run. Not sure how much it matters for now. They leaked a few yards today that they hadn't in other games, but the whole team seemed pretty flat tonight.
September 16th, 2023 at 10:52 PM ^
Just like last game, this COULD have been ugly. All those turnovers, only 6 total points given up.
That is incredible work. I’m not sure about our offense yet, but defense is amazing
September 17th, 2023 at 1:04 PM ^
Posted in another thread... the 'starting defense is lights out.
September 17th, 2023 at 2:57 PM ^
This was my reaction to yesterdays game: 4 turnovers and you win by 25, only giving up two FG. Solid effort by the defense
September 16th, 2023 at 10:54 PM ^
They get the game ball. Despite having to fend off 3 INT by JJ plus one muffed punt, they played a great game. They spent a lot of time on the field and only gave up 2 FG. They had a lot of TFL, had an INT of their own.
Jesse Minter has his unit humming. Thank goodness for that.
September 17th, 2023 at 5:47 PM ^
Muffed kickoff. And the D had 2 INTs. Just a couple of observations.
September 16th, 2023 at 11:16 PM ^
Solid performance other than a couple of explosive plays. Getting our first-string secondary back together would go a long way to fixing that, so hopefully that happens sooner rather than later. Defense as a whole showed its mettle tonight dealing with the turnovers.
September 16th, 2023 at 11:18 PM ^
Good pass rush. Amazing pick by Kris Jenkins.
September 16th, 2023 at 11:22 PM ^
Defense was fine. BG's two long completions were fluky and IMO not a cause for concern, although there was the one play where Wallace was beaten deep but BG dropped it in the end zone.
September 17th, 2023 at 10:07 AM ^
I wouldn't say they where fluky. The WRs made 2 great catches. Sometimes, you have to tip your cap and move on. You can't stop everything.
September 16th, 2023 at 11:41 PM ^
By far, the best thing for UM to take away from this game is the D. UM turns the ball over 4 times, yet only gives up 6 points. I dont care that it was Bowling Green. A team turns the ball over 4 times, and only gives up 6 points, THAT'S A DAMN GOOD DEFENSE.
If you had told me UM's defense would play better than UM's offense this season, I would've laughed and laughed and laughed. Not any more. This D is seriously legit.
#GoBlue
September 17th, 2023 at 7:36 AM ^
If you had told me UM's defense would play better than UM's offense this season, I would've laughed and laughed and laughed.
Honestly, this shouldn’t be surprising in the least.
The defense was better than the offense last year. (9th in defense, 15th in offense in Connelly’s SP+ rankings.) The defense is better than the offense every year, save 2020.
September 18th, 2023 at 8:38 AM ^
Imagine if for one year the offense played as good or better than the defense
September 16th, 2023 at 11:50 PM ^
Jenkins looks good in the turnover buffs.
September 16th, 2023 at 11:51 PM ^
Secondary will get eviscerated against PSU, OSU, and Maryland if we don't get our starters back at full strength. Every other position looks great.
September 17th, 2023 at 12:12 AM ^
The secondary was fine tonight. BG made two ridiculous catches in the first half and then did nothing.
September 16th, 2023 at 11:58 PM ^
Came here from the O flakes for some positivity, because D was great. 4 turnovers, one very deep, and 6 points? (Got a little help from BG in dropped pass on blown coverage and missed FG at end, but even so.) That D line & front 7 — best in CFB? Maybe.
DBs & pass D too considering 2 of top 3 out and that haven’t played actual starting secondary once — going to be very good and these meaningful reps for what will be backups will be huge at some point this season.
Only good things from D to date. Maybe only quibble can find, and only if you really look, is that tackling gets sloppy when subs in at end
September 17th, 2023 at 12:11 AM ^
Defense has given up one TD in three games. Competition caveat aside that is still very good.
September 17th, 2023 at 12:07 PM ^
Starters have given up 6 points. One was a short field after Bredeson’s fumble and the other was a legitimate drive where a TD was dropped. Aside from that they’ve been pretty close to lights out.
Unlike the O, the D looks extremely cohesive
September 17th, 2023 at 12:22 AM ^
Jaylen Harrell deserves a shoutout. It’s fair to say that he’s not a favorite from the Mgoblog guys, but he’s made a lot of big plays in his career here. From big plays in both OSU games, to a multi sack game in the B1G Championship game, to his really nice start this season. He’s even a guy who had Ojabo getting limited snaps against OSU in 2021.
And today he basically changed the momentum to start the 2nd half, forcing both turnovers with pressures. He’s been a really good Wolverine during one of the best stretches of Michigan football in my lifetime.
September 17th, 2023 at 12:42 AM ^
Harrell is smart and gets the most out of what he's got. What he is not, though, is an NFL-sized DE. Most of the time in college, that shouldn't matter, and the coaches have generally played to his strengths.
September 17th, 2023 at 12:47 AM ^
Not a perfect night in pass coverage, but they still look dominant and strong at each level. Did a great job countering the opposing turnovers with a few of their own.
I’m starting to think Jalen Harrell is a good pass rusher
September 17th, 2023 at 3:21 AM ^
I wish the starting Falcon QB had not been injured and had finished the game. I would have liked to see Michigan's defense step up with him in the game.
September 17th, 2023 at 8:59 AM ^
Don’t know if it’s just a competition thing, but Minter needs to stop spamming nickel pressure.
September 17th, 2023 at 9:21 AM ^
The defense played well, except for a few arm punts that their WR made great catches on.
September 17th, 2023 at 9:29 AM ^
Johnson looked fine in pre game warmups. I was surprised he didn’t play. I think he’s definitely back next week.
September 17th, 2023 at 9:30 AM ^
A classic play down to your level of compeition. B1G Network really went o/b on all the ads. With 11 seconds to go they for went a break.
September 17th, 2023 at 12:01 PM ^
I'm worried about Will Johnson. Moore we know hurt himself in camp so he is banged up. Johnson has been out all spring and summer since the end of last season.
September 17th, 2023 at 2:10 PM ^
I’m the opposite.
I can’t imagine they would let Johnson on the field at all if it was serious. The fact that they’ve let him dress and play for a few plays makes me think he’s close and could play if we weren’t playing cupcakes.
Moore hasn’t even sniffed the field yet though.