Suffocating defense is the standard for Michigan football

Few college football teams can match the defensive strength and intensity that Michigan has shown over the past decade. In fact, the Wolverines are the only college football team to lead the nation in fewest yards allowed per game twice in the past 10 years. Not even fellow defensive powerhouses Georgia, Iowa, Clemson or Alabama can claim that status.

Michigan’s defense was particularly piquant in 2023, as the Wolverines ranked first in fewest yards allowed, first in fewest points allowed, second in fewest passing yards allowed and sixth in fewest rushing yards allowed per game last season.

Although the former head coach of Michigan Jim Harbaugh was a quarterback, he emphasizes toughness, physicality and defense in the teams he coaches. That was true from his first season in Ann Arbor and reached a new level in 2016, when the Wolverines allowed the fewest yards per game in the nation. Although that team suffered a loss at Iowa, losing in the second overtime to Ohio State, it is widely considered Harbaugh’s best team that never won a championship.

Fortunately for Michigan, the level of defensive play will not decline under the new head coach. Sherron MooreThe 38-year-old hired the long-time NFL defensive coordinator Wink Martindalewho coached each of Harbaugh’s last two young top coordinators – Michael Macdonald And Jesse Minter – to lead the Wolverines’ defense in 2024.

Although Michigan lost a lot of talented defensive players to the NFL in the offseason with Mike Sainristil, Kris Jenkins, Mike Barrett and Junior Colson, the Wolverines still return with a strong squad. Will Johnson is in the conversation as the best cornerback in the country, as is Mason Graham as a defensive tackle. With DT Kenneth Grant and linebackers Jaishawn Barham and Ernest Hausmann, Michigan’s defense will be as high-caliber as ever this fall.

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