Michigan defense on 3rd down
Per Dan Murphy of ESPN,
In the last 10 quarters. Michigan has stopped 26/29 third down attempts. 2 of the conversions were third and less than a yard and the other was in garbage time.
Along with 4 pick sixes this season so far. I don't recall our defense being this great. Not even 1997's.
http://www.espn.com/college-football/team/_/id/213/penn-state-nittany-l…
November 4th, 2018 at 6:18 PM ^
We've had some great defenses in my memory - some of the '70's teams were amazing (caveat for competition). '85, '97, '06 and '16 also stand out. This is in the same class for sure - but we'll need to see how the season closes out too...
November 4th, 2018 at 7:15 PM ^
The 70's teams were great. But realistically, it really was the big two. OSU and M won or shared all Big championships with the exception of MSU in 78. Michigan and OSU owned the Big in the 70's. Much more parity now due to scholarship limits, T.V and apparel money is huge.
IF Michigan can maintain this pace on D, I would put this D above any Michigan D in the modern era. Today's offenses are way more complex and geared towards scoring and slinging the ball around. Rule changes have been made to increase offense and open up the passing game. The fact that 2018 Michigan D is keeping some prolific offenses in check is quite remarkable. The big test is Novermber 24th. If Michigan can go to OSU, and leave with a win to cap off a 11 game winning streak, this team has a chance to be one of the all time greats in modern Michigan history. That is not hyperbole.
November 4th, 2018 at 11:05 PM ^
There were only 2 types of offense in the 1970s, option or pro, even not much more than that in 1997, way more to prepare for now
November 4th, 2018 at 8:10 PM ^
Here's my opinion about the difference. The 1997 defense was fantastic--unsurpassed, IMHO--but it wasn't part of a defensive dynasty. Don Brown's defenses have been extremely good year after year after year.
November 4th, 2018 at 6:21 PM ^
Michigan's defense on...all downs:
November 4th, 2018 at 10:57 PM ^
and these in all of their faces...
November 4th, 2018 at 6:27 PM ^
Playing the best football during the stretch they needed to. Couldn't be happier.
November 4th, 2018 at 6:37 PM ^
When comparing 1997 to 2018, you gotta think Don Brown is >> Jim Hermann, for starting thoughts at least. Not sure there is a better DC in CFB over the past 4 years than Don Brown.
November 4th, 2018 at 7:28 PM ^
Also, offenses in 2018 are a lot more sophisticated than they were in 1997. We faced one spread team that year - WSU, in the Rose Bowl - and they did move the ball, although we were tough in the red zone.
November 4th, 2018 at 9:45 PM ^
There hasn't been a better DC in the universe since Don Brown started 'making them feel him' at his titled position atop the Death Star.
November 4th, 2018 at 11:00 PM ^
I'd say it's fully operational. Resistance is futile.
November 4th, 2018 at 6:38 PM ^
1980 Andy Cannavino's Defense comes to mind. I do not think they gave up a touchdown in the last 9 games of the season and (I believe) helped Bo earn his first Rose Bowl victory.
November 4th, 2018 at 7:10 PM ^
I looked up the 1980 team was great in my memory as well. I see 3 straight shutouts and giving up 3 points to OSU and 6 in the Rose Bowl but they did give up some TDs before those games I think unless those were special teams or defensive scores. Still an amazing run.
November 5th, 2018 at 6:48 AM ^
The 1976 team notched 5 shutouts, including a (glorious) 22-0 rout of Ohio State.
Sadly, they lost to Purdue on a last second field goal that went wide.
November 4th, 2018 at 6:45 PM ^
This is why I'm not as quick to write us off against Bama as everyone else. Bama has never faced a D like ours. Plus our offense hasnt hit it's ceiling yet, Bama is topped out. It's a huge top out but they aren't getting any better. They'll score, because teams score, but if our offense can put the last piece together then its all up in the air.
November 4th, 2018 at 7:12 PM ^
Alabama would have to be a favorite against us but anything could happen in 1 game. Defenses could control the game and it could turn on a pick 6, special teams play, etc.
November 4th, 2018 at 7:17 PM ^
This is my thought! Bama hasn't been punched back, so nobody knows how they'll even respond. Probably pretty darn well, but we don't know. If the pass game starts clicking like the run game, Bama will have some trouble regardless of how well they handle a punch. That is what I want to see!
If the offense stays where its at, it still beats the crap out of OSU and whatever reluctant runner-up the West offers as a sacrifice. But the playoff might end soon if the opponent is Bama or Clemson in the first game. At this point, I'm not worried about anyone else.
November 4th, 2018 at 7:20 PM ^
Alabama is the team that shutout the number three team in the nation in that team's stadium.
We've got a long way to go.
But we're trending...
November 4th, 2018 at 7:24 PM ^
I don't think LSU ever warranted the #3 ranking . . . but yes, Bama's good.
November 4th, 2018 at 9:34 PM ^
LSU was ranked number 3 for beating a number 3 georgia who hadn't beaten anyone. Georgia was sitting at #3 because of their preseason rankings. Furthermore, LSU had just lost the week before to florida who is now 6-3 and just lost to 4-4 missouri.
The entire SEC outside of Bama has been propped up due to a circular transitive sec circle jerk riding on that georgia preseason number 3.
LSU never deserved to be number 3, neither their defense nor their offense comes even remotely close to ours. I bet the outcome looks pretty similar had we played LSU.
November 4th, 2018 at 7:12 PM ^
PEOPLE WILL PAY FOR WHAT THEY HAVE DONE
November 4th, 2018 at 7:12 PM ^
PEOPLE WILL PAY FOR WHAT THEY HAVE DONE
November 4th, 2018 at 7:22 PM ^
And yet, only two months ago people were railing at the "Don Brown apologists"...
November 4th, 2018 at 7:38 PM ^
I’m enjoying this season immensely.
November 4th, 2018 at 7:43 PM ^
Comparing this D to the 1997 D is one of those things fans will do, but it’s impossible to do so based on stats given the way the game has evolved in 21 years. That team only allowed 114 points all year, but it was a different game then. I can go only by the eye test given that was my senior year. For me, memory and nostalgia tilts it in favor of that Championship team. Fun debate to have with no right answer.
November 4th, 2018 at 7:51 PM ^
Michigan's offense was kind of puke that year except when they really needed to score (Iowa, WSU).
November 8th, 2018 at 2:01 PM ^
The offense didn't do so bad against Baylor or Penn State.
And while Baylor was awful that year (only 2 wins), Michigan accounted for the 4th most points scored on them, and the worst scoring margin against them.
November 4th, 2018 at 8:53 PM ^
Aside from a bad first quarter against ND, this could go down as Michigan's best defense.
November 4th, 2018 at 9:02 PM ^
And the 1st quarter against Northwestern. Maybe the 4th quarter against SMU (although officiating was an issue there). That's about it for the season - we've been lights-out otherwise.
November 4th, 2018 at 9:10 PM ^
Looking back at QBR for opposing starting qbs puts things in perspective:
Trace McSorley 3.5
Brian Lewerke 3.3
Alex Hornibrook 0.7
Kasim Hill 11.7
Clayton Thorson 34.6
Adrian Martinez 3.1
Ben Hicks 27.0
Jon Wassink 11.3
Brandon Wimbush 62.8
That’s a lot in the single digits, and even Wimbush didn’t have a great game after his hot start.
November 4th, 2018 at 9:18 PM ^
That’s just astonishing. I think this defense is shaping up to be better than ‘97s but season is t over.