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| Allison Farrand/Daily |
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The last five (5!) drives for the Terp's were all 3-and-outs.
If there's one word I would use to describe Michigan's defense it would have to be "demoralizing". Not only do they stop opposing offenses, but by the end of the game they make them want to not play football anymore. The last 5 3-and-outs weren't just Maryland not being able to move the ball...it was Maryland just wanting this thing to be over with.
As of week 6, Michigan's defense ranks...
#2 total defense
#5 rushing defense
#3 passing defense
#2 pass eff. defense
#2 scoring defense
#1 3rd down defense
#7 1st down defense
In 1997, Michigan's defense was by far the best in the country. They rode that defense to a 12-0 record, a Rose Bowl victory and a national championship. What doesn't get talked about much from that season was Michigan's offense, which finished a modest 44th in total offense that year. Aside from Charles Woodson's cameos on that side of the football, Michigan's offense wasn't much to talk about. They scored enough points to win, they protected leads, and they didn't screw up.
You can draw a lot of parallels between that offense and the 2015 iteration. There's nothing flashy about it Michigan's offense right now (which is to say it's not 2010), but when it's all said and done, it's enough to win games. When your defense doesn't even let opponents into field goal position, it's tough to lose.
It's easy to make sweeping generalizations and flattering comparisons because frankly, it helps us all feel better. At halftime yesterday, up 6-0, there wasn't much to feel very confident about offensively. Michigan's defense was doing their normal routine, but the offense was flat and sloppy. Jake Rudock made some poor decisions and some errant throws. The offensive line was having a tough time protecting the edges and opening running lanes, Mason Cole in particular looked like he was struggling a bit. And the running backs, let's just say, missed De'Veon Smith.
The second half was a welcome sight however. Michigan seemed to have found it's stride with both play-calling and execution. Drake Johnson made a solid pitch for more playing time. And with Green's struggles and Isaac's turnovers, he's clearly the 2nd option at this point. What was also great to see was Michigan's fullbacks getting more action. Houma's 12 yards on 2 carries, I believe, just begs for more touches.
But any story about this game has to feature the defense, which was brilliant. Channing Stribling was missing in action yesterday but you wouldn't have known it. Dymonte Thomas, Jeremy Clark, Jourdan Lewis, Jarrod Wilson, Delano Hill and Jabrill Peppers played brilliantly in the secondary. With Chris Wormley, Mo Hurst, Matt Godin, Ryan Glasgow, Big Willie Henry and Mario Ojemudia keeping Maryland's ground game in check, it was Michigan's defensive backs that would be tested all day...a test they passed easily.
"I mean ... there were a couple plays where they got first downs," Hurst said after the game. "We've got to look at that and correct it.
"They shouldn't have anything."
I mean, this is what it's come to. Michigan's defense expects perfection. When you have that, or even close to it, it doesn't matter what the offense is doing.
“The key to the game was when the offense made mistakes, our defense did not allow Maryland to capitalize on them,” Harbaugh said. “That was the difference.”
Michigan may not be 1997-caliber, but this is about as close as they've been since then – close enough to draw some comparisons. And with a favorable schedule packed with meaningful home games, I'll take that.
Can Michigan pitch 3 shutouts in a row?
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