2021 vs 2022 - No Star Defense - Sack Total Comparison

Submitted by Cmknepfl on December 5th, 2022 at 12:13 PM

Much was made about how michigan will be able to replace the pass rush they had last year in Ojabo and Hutchinson.  Early this year it looked like we may indeed blow last years total of 34 away.  They slowed down in their sack numbers.  

I thought the OSU game was going to hinge on getting pressure to OSU.  As was mentioned by some roundtable discussions, perhaps so did OSU.  They seemed to prepare for the ameoba and instead we were content to drop in coverage.  It made me wonder where we ended up on sack totals and how it compares to last year. So I put it in a spreadsheet.  

 

 

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Comments

Wally Llama

December 5th, 2022 at 12:25 PM ^

It really is amazing that they were able to replace that sack production this year!

Although, at times, it really felt like the QB pressure just wasn't there. The 2021 team hurried up a lot of passes that it just seems that this year's team doesn't quite do as much. This is all feelingsball; did you happen to make a spreadsheet for QB pressures/hurries as well?

Joined: 03/24/2013

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MFanWM

December 5th, 2022 at 4:39 PM ^

I think that is an area where QBs just knew that they were living on borrowed time and rushed through reads and throws that is simply not depicted with just sacks.

This year, I would argue that there was improved overall DB coverage which has greatly helped with overall output as well.

Joined: 09/19/2010

MGoPoints: 5223

TrueBlue2003

December 6th, 2022 at 12:30 PM ^

It's amazing that only one other player last year, besides Hutch and Ojabo, had more than one sack: and that it was Upshaw!

I wonder how adjusted sack rate compares.  Michigan played an easier schedule this year, and racked up a lot of these sacks against bad teams (like almost half against CSU and IU I'm pretty sure).

Joined: 01/05/2010

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GRWolverine1223

December 8th, 2022 at 9:23 AM ^

Challenge when looking at totals is you miss the details with specific opponents. Sure the totals are close but the stars "show up" in the talented opponent games. Set aside Georgia and look at our totals (and Hutch) in 2021 against OSU, PSU and MSU and then compare with our 2022 sack totals against Illinois, PSU and OSU...

 

If we play a elite pocket passing QB (Stetson Bennet) who can actually move off a first read, can we get home in time? 

 

Joined: 08/08/2019

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1989 UM GRAD

December 5th, 2022 at 12:42 PM ^

I wonder if, in general, an effective defense can be more easily built around having 11 players with 2+ sacks...vs 3 players with 2+ sacks?

In other words, is it more difficult to play against a team when you don't know from where the rush will be coming?

Or, is it more difficult to play against a team when you know where the rush is coming from...but the two rushers are almost impossible to stop?

Or is this just an example of a defensive coordinator building their game plan around the talent and getting the most out of that talent?

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Blue Middle

December 5th, 2022 at 1:45 PM ^

This is factually correct.  But the pash rush is not nearly as dangerous as last year's.  Hutch and Ojabo could win their matchups anytime, and frequently did.  Hell, Georgia game-planned around not being able to block Hutch!  

This year's approach and profile are completely different.  We are using disciplined, contained rushes and getting coverage sacks with the occasional straight-up win, especially on obvious passing downs.

And, honestly, with Duggan and Bennett coming up, I like this year's approach.  Let's not lose because we break QB contain.

I'd also actually like to see more three-man rushes with 8 in coverage.  Mazi, Kris, Mason, Benny, Moore, Upshaw...all those guys are pretty good pocket-pushers and having eight in coverage (with at least one short zone/spy) seems worth a shot.  I think we did this only once against Purdue and it worked beautifully...not sure whey we didn't do it more.

Joined: 01/07/2019

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J. Redux

December 5th, 2022 at 1:57 PM ^

Along these same lines, according to SP+, this year’s team would be 7-point favorites over last year’s team at this point in the season.  (Although, I’m not sure that’s really a fair comparison, because this year’s team would be a 2-point favorite over last year’s Georgia team, which seems nuts and makes me think that you can’t compare SP+ rankings year-over-year like that.

In raw SP+ numbers, the offense is marginally better, the special teams are marginally worse… and the defense is basically a touchdown better than last year (!).

And, that sort of checks out?  Last year’s team gave up 29 to Nebraska, 37 to MSU, and 27 to OSU — and none of those had any garbage time scores.  This year’s team has given up 27 or more exactly once —  27 to Maryland, with one very-much-a-garbage-time score.

Joined: 10/15/2020

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michengin87

December 5th, 2022 at 5:17 PM ^

Not sure how many remember, but as far as sacks go, Brian predicted in his 2022 Preview:

  • Michigan's sack count goes up from last year's 34, but no individual picks up more than 6.
  • Mason Graham is the best freshman DT since MGoBlog started tracking things.

Indeed, Brian correctly called the total sack count exceeding 2021.  Mike having 7 was still very close to his prediction of no one more than 6, although if he had stayed healthy he probably ends up with around 9.

As well, Mason Graham's 2.5 sacks exceeded Mike Martin's freshman sack total of 2.

Joined: 07/14/2009

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kyle.aaronson

December 5th, 2022 at 6:11 PM ^

You gotta give Mason more flowers than just his sack count! He regularly blew up run plays by winning one on one blocks. He was never blown off the line of scrimmage. As crazy as it sounds, he graded out as Michigan's best interior defensive lineman per PFF (82.5, compared to Mazi's 76.5 and Jenkins' 78.7). And best of all, he was trustworthy against Ohio State.

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