SOS update: Michigan has faced #2, #3, #4 & #8 ranked defenses according to SP+
December 3rd, 2023 at 6:26 PM ^
The SEC might be similar this year, not a lot of offensive juggernauts there
December 3rd, 2023 at 5:20 PM ^
It's part of it, but I think Michigan, PSU, OSU, and Iowa are all top 10 defenses in any season... they're just elevated to the top 1/2/3/4 sports because of this season's offenses in the B1G.
December 3rd, 2023 at 5:32 PM ^
Not totally convinced about OSU, but they're right in the 8-15 range, so still really strong unit. PSU has an exploitable weakness if you're good but if you don't/can't exploit it they'll stuff you in a locker. Iowa is incredible and played like 200 more snaps than the rest of those teams because of how bad the offense is. And obviously I think we're good.
December 3rd, 2023 at 5:37 PM ^
Michigan did not see the better offenses until the last 3 games of the regular season.
They then gave up 24 pts to the Terps, on the road. Another 24 pts to the buckeyes in The Game. Maybe add Penn State with 15 pts in Happy Valley. I'd call that very good since the Maize and Blue came away with crucial wins.
An early key to winning against 'Bama is hold them to 24 pts or less and be able to score 30 on them. It is doable.
December 3rd, 2023 at 5:49 PM ^
Hey good news, if we hold them to 24 pts or less we only have to score 25 on them.
December 3rd, 2023 at 5:57 PM ^
That's crazy talk. Let me check with Finebaum.
December 3rd, 2023 at 6:59 PM ^
Finebaum refuses to acknowledge that we are playing in this game.
December 3rd, 2023 at 7:49 PM ^
how does it account for Washington in that all the defenses they played were terrible?
December 3rd, 2023 at 5:14 PM ^
Michigan vs Everybody, win the Rose Bowl, Go Blue, BET
December 3rd, 2023 at 5:14 PM ^
Bama would be, like, the 9th best team in the Big Ten.
Michigan, OSU, PSU, Iowa, Maryland, Rutgers, Northwestern, Wisconsin, Bama.
Yeah, that sounds about right.
December 3rd, 2023 at 5:17 PM ^
Surprised by Maryland at #20 for defense.
They gave up: 20 Points to Charlotte, 37 Points to OSU, 27 Points to Illinois, 33 Points to Northwestern, 51 Points to Penn State, 27 Points to Michigan, and 24 Points to Rutgers.
They seemed more average than #20 to me. I think this shows a good example of how the Big Ten warps S+P defense measurements disproportionately more than other conferences.
December 3rd, 2023 at 5:21 PM ^
A couple of thoughts here.
First, Michigan is / has been nicked up a little. We all know about Zak, but - it appeared to me that JJ might have twisted an ankle against PSU. Will Johnson wasn’t 100% against the Bucks.
Second, it seems the O play calling has been - let’s do what we have to, to win - and, get out of here. The pass by Edwards against OSU is one of the few trick plays I recall this season.
I trust this staff to put a solid game plan together. One question is - with five weeks of practice - how tight can the revised OL be?
Bama is a solid team, and Saban’s driven them to improved execution throughout the season.
I’m not counting any chickens - and, am looking forward to the game.
Go Blue!
December 3rd, 2023 at 9:02 PM ^
Second, it seems the O play calling has been - let’s do what we have to, to win - and, get out of here.
That's what concerns me, can't have that kind of game plan and beat Bama. We got more aggressive against OSU but even then I was hoping for more.
December 3rd, 2023 at 5:27 PM ^
And are undefeated!!
December 3rd, 2023 at 5:30 PM ^
Good stuff. Michigan @ PSU, scored 24 pts and it was a big rushing attack with 227 yds, only 60 passing. OSU, it was 156 yds rushing and 182 yds passing. Against Iowa, it was only 66 net rushing and 147 passing. It will depend on what will 'Bama defend against the most, either rushing or passing.
Michigan survived 271 yds passing against OH State and 247 yds passing against the Terps and came out with close wins, by 7 vs MD and 6 vs the buckeyes.
I can see why the O/A is around 45 pts by Vegas.
December 3rd, 2023 at 5:33 PM ^
Squeeze Bama!
To Death!
December 3rd, 2023 at 5:38 PM ^
Bama is proving difficult to chart, as both they and their opponents have been all over the place. Their defense has showed up against statistically top offenses, but they were one dimensional in the extreme, so their defensive performance is hard to quantify. I'm interested in seeing what type of defenses they have faced, to get a feel for how they might perform against us. I feel they're like a poor man's Maryland, this season, and pressure plus Mikey will make the difference.
December 3rd, 2023 at 6:06 PM ^
As good as Iowa's defense is, and my hat is off to them, most of their stats were earned in a weaker division.
JJ wouldn't have been under as much pressure if the O-line had been at full strength. I don't want to say it was a sieve, but the sacks were concerning.
Our running game didn't look like it has all year, either. Zinter was a real difference-maker and he's clearly missed.
I think we might be in a tough spot against a team like Alabama without a fully functioning O-line.
December 3rd, 2023 at 6:16 PM ^
Bama defense is better than Iowa and psu
December 3rd, 2023 at 6:55 PM ^
That doesn't make me feel better. And Bama actually has an offense, unlike PSU and Iowa.
December 3rd, 2023 at 7:55 PM ^
Not sure why I'm negged for this? But anyone here that thinks half the big ten has a better defense than bama is frankly an idiot. 🤷
December 3rd, 2023 at 8:09 PM ^
Iowa's defense is so, so hard to judge because functional offenses know they don't need to take risks to move the ball. And Iowa didn't play a ton of functional offenses. It's the most skewed team (offense / defense) maybe in the history of college football.
Bama has played a much tougher slate of offenses: Ole Miss, LSU, Texas, Tennessee. Michigan has played the better slate of defenses. If the Bama against Ole Miss and Georgia shows up, I think Michigan is the underdog. If it's the Auburn Bama, Michigan wins by double digits.
December 3rd, 2023 at 9:20 PM ^
Nice and all but a lot of those defenses got padded playing against wretched Big Ten offenses.
December 3rd, 2023 at 10:21 PM ^
"Michigan hasn't played anyone".
December 4th, 2023 at 8:56 AM ^
Zero chance Michigan doesn’t go for it on 4th and 1 if Nugent is in there, I don’t know what Brian is talking about.
December 4th, 2023 at 11:35 AM ^
Is there a chance it snows at the rose bowl?
Seriously though if anything Michigan has a ton of experience against strong defensive teams, so the offense is battle tested to grind out tough wins.