Through 13 games, which unit has been more impressive: the offense, or the defense?

Submitted by gary3 on December 14th, 2022 at 9:26 AM

The 2022 Michigan Wolverines have gone undefeated through the regular season and conference championship in large part due to having a holistically excellent team: The coaching staff, offense, defense, and special teams have all excelled throughout the year

When comparing Team 143 to Team 142, the improvements are clear. My question for the board is: which side of the ball improved more? Using the eye test and the stats, I'm curious as to what y'all think

 

Team 142 (12 - 2, Big Ten Champs, CFP Semis Loss)

  • Points per game (offense): 35.8 (16th of 130)
     
  • Yards per game (offense): 443.1 
     
  • Points per game (defense): 17.4 (8th of 130)
     
  • Yards per game (defense): 330.4

 

Team 143 (13 - 0, Big Ten Champs/TBD)

  • Points per game (offense): 40.1 (7th of 131)
     
  • Yards per game (offense): 453.5
     
  • Points per game (defense): 13.4 (5th of 131)
     
  • Yards per game (defense): 277.1
     

A few other stats for context:

  • Team 142 Strength of Schedule: 6.22 (4th of 130)
     
  • Team 143 Strength of Schedule: 1.59 (57th of 131)
     
  • Team 142 vs. Big Ten (8-1):
    • Offensive yards per game: 433.1
    • Defensive yards per game: 324.4
       
  • Team 143 vs. Big Ten (9-0):
    • Offensive yards per game: 440.2
    • Defensive yards per game: 302.0

 

Based on all of that: who improved more? Who was the more impressive unit? And as a bonus question: which unit was most responsible for the annihilation of Ohio State in Columbus this season?

 

MGoBoard
Football

Amazinblu

December 14th, 2022 at 9:35 AM ^

Though I am pleased and impressed by the play of all three units this season - we can't forget special teams, to me - Michigan's D has been more impressive.

The adjustments of the D during halftime, and essentially shutting down opponents in the second half has been impressive.

One play, series, and game at a time.  Next game on December 31st.  Go Blue!

Joined: 01/22/2010

MGoPoints: 41557

Grampy

December 14th, 2022 at 9:37 AM ^

By far the defense has impressed me the most.  Going into the season, the front 7 was an unknown quantity, and the secondary wasn't far behind. Outside of the interior of the DL, I don't think I've seen a Michigan defense to more with less, and I've seen a lot of Michigan defenses.  The offense has been impressive, but we knew there was talent at every position and the question was would they develop and gel over the course of the season.  What the defense has done over the course of the season strikes me as much harder and, thus, more impressive.

Joined: 06/29/2012

MGoPoints: 24255

Amazinblu

December 14th, 2022 at 9:40 AM ^

Grampy, one key thing which I believe has impacted the D is - this is the second year of the scheme.  And, with all due to Minter - the foundation was laid by Macdonald last year, and Minter's continued with its implementation and "wrinkles".

Nothing but credit to the entire team and the staff.  

A team doesn't perform / execute like this without preparation, effort, and commitment - from everyone involved.  Kudos (thus far) to the squad.

Go Blue!

Joined: 01/22/2010

MGoPoints: 41557

Watching From Afar

December 14th, 2022 at 9:43 AM ^

Defense.

The schedule helped the raw stats on both offense and defense, but the offense returned a ton and was projected to be the best in the Harbaugh era while the defense lost 3 NFL 1st rounders (I'm counting Ojabo pre-injury) plus another ~5 starters. The defense wasn't as good in the pass rush (again, raw sacks doesn't take into account some of the complete doormat OLs faced this year) but overall they didn't have the drop off expected while the offense only kind of sort of got better in certain ways.

Specific unit on the defense, I'd go with the secondary. Returning 1 Safety (between Moore and Moten splitting starter snaps last year) and 1 1/2 CBs there was concern keeping up with OSU's receivers. Sainristil and Johnson being legitimate studs alleviated that concern and Moten/Paige formed 1 decent starter between them depending on which one was playing well.

LBs have been hit or miss. DTs have been good all year, but again some of that was expected and their impact is limited in certain situations. DEs have basically been Morris and then a hodgepodge of whoever plays opposite occasionally breaking through. Overall, the defense as a whole was greater than the sum of their parts IMO.

Joined: 10/10/2016

MGoPoints: 16014

FrankMurphy

December 14th, 2022 at 9:44 AM ^

This is like choosing between a Ferrari and a Lamborghini, but I'm gonna say defense. The way Minter's unit completely shut teams down in the second half was truly a thing of beauty. I think we only allowed like 17 third quarter points all season or something like that (and 14 of those were by Illinois).

Joined: 08/19/2008

MGoPoints: 32055

Blake Forum

December 14th, 2022 at 9:47 AM ^

The unit that has consistently exceeded my expectations is the defense. Considering there are real personnel limitations (no elite pure pass rusher, a very thin linebacker room that has had to give serious snaps to an undersized true freshman, etc.), it's been remarkable how well they've done this year. Constant creativity in terms of scheme and tactics, sharp execution, remarkable player development (i.e., Mike Sainristil), guys making heroic plays in big moments. They have to be in the conversation for the best defense in the country, which is wild considering that we all predicted them to take a step back without the Hutch/Ojabo cheat code. Can't say enough good things about the players on that side of the ball and Jesse Minter. 

Joined: 07/20/2020

MGoPoints: 22208

MFanWM

December 14th, 2022 at 10:01 AM ^

I would agree with the defense being the more impressive of the two at this point, given the turnover with players and coaches they have been impressive.

If anything, the offense has "underperformed" against what they might have produced with a more consistent focus and execution in the passing game for most of the year.  I get that can be said of most any team and any season - but I think if there would have been a better blend of run to pass they would have been even more dominant. 

There is a lot to be said for overcoming the vast number of injuries and missed games as well - at one point having 2-3 starting lineman out, top 2 TEs, receivers, top 2 RBs injured, best defensive end, starting LB, etc out would have spelled doom and 6-6 season would be incredibly likely.  At this point, the depth and development is finally shining through along with a coherent and repeatable philosophy on offense and defense.

The coaches and players displayed more poise than any team I can remember with making adjustments even in close games and then making big plays when it was needed.  There was 

Joined: 09/19/2010

MGoPoints: 5223

King Tot

December 14th, 2022 at 9:59 AM ^

The answer should be Defense. We had to replace stars like Hutchinson, Ojabo, and Dax and very solid veterans/leaders in Hawkings/Ross (both extremely underrated) and Hinton/Grey. The emergence of Mikey is evidence enough. 

On Offense, we returned or upgraded nearly every single position. The only downgrades are likely Stueber and Haskins and there could be a debate on the latter.

Joined: 11/29/2016

MGoPoints: 19277

Vasav

December 14th, 2022 at 11:12 AM ^

Hutch for sure sticks out for 142. for 143, it's between Corum, Sainristil and Olu. Mazi and Mike Morris maybe too. But I guess sorta the special thing is that even the unanimous all american running back doesn't quite stick out - it just feels more like a "no-star" team, the kind where your center really does get noticed because that's the way the team is. 143 is kinda unique in that way.

Joined: 12/13/2009

MGoPoints: 19258

rice4114

December 14th, 2022 at 4:09 PM ^

Ok I very much approve of this post! Being at al the East coast and NBA final games of 2004 and being right down the road from SOFI sounds like something could really be happeing.

Chauncy "Corum" Billups

Rip "DE" Hamilton

Tayshaun "JJ" Prince

Sheed "Mikey S." Wallace

Big Ben "OLU" Wallace

Who else you got?

Joined: 08/26/2010

MGoPoints: 47376

goblue2121

December 14th, 2022 at 10:19 AM ^

I'm going with the O line 1A and the secondary 1B. I really enjoy the way this team plays complimentary football with the offense controlling the ball allowing the defense to be rested late in games. I believe this philosophy combined with coaching adjustments are why we have seen such lopsided 2nd halfs all season.

Joined: 06/06/2009

MGoPoints: 10961

Vasav

December 14th, 2022 at 11:00 AM ^

i'm going to ignore the non-conference and play feelingsball. The O's best performance was either the PSU game or scoring 27 on Iowa. The D's best performance was probably holding OSU to 23, and shutting them down in the 2nd half. The O's biggest clunker was Illinois, the D's was probably Maryland - both of those were solid units. There were numerous times this year where it felt like there was "meat on the bone," and paradoxically losing Corum is when the O seemed to click - granted against Purdue and an overly aggressive OSU. The O has been amazing - with and without Corum. But the D has been better, and more consistent, and a bit of a surprise considering that we lost 3 first round talents, including the Heisman runner-up. I expected the O to get better, and they have - my crititques are nitpicking. But I expected the D to get worse, and they've felt...at least as good? I think our D outplayed the fearsome Ohio State O. That's a big time win. 

Great topic

Joined: 12/13/2009

MGoPoints: 19258