Bowling Green Snowflakes: The Defense

Solid tackling while it counted and made big impact plays on a number of occasions. Very tough against the run so far.

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.

Defense made the game. Was solid at the right times and made key turnovers.

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. 

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 

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.

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.

Good pass rush.  Amazing pick by Kris Jenkins.

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.

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

Jenkins looks good in the turnover buffs. 

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. 

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

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.

 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 

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.

Don’t know if it’s just a competition thing, but Minter needs to stop spamming nickel pressure. 

The defense played well, except for a few arm punts that their WR made great catches on.

Johnson looked fine in pre game warmups. I was surprised he didn’t play. I think he’s definitely back next week. 

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. 

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.