Michigan Football: Steps Wolverines Secondary Must Take to Improve

Michigan’s secondary hasn’t always lived up to the hype this season.

But on Saturday, the Wolverines defensive backs did enough to momentarily quiet their critics.

Two weeks ago, Team 135’s backfield was shredded by Rutgers’ Gary Nova, who threw for 404 yards and three touchdowns. This past Saturday, Penn State’s sophomore star Christian Hackenberg was supposed to carve another chunk from DB coach Curt Mallory’s stock.

But he didn’t.

In fact, he looked incredibly average, passing for just 160 yards and a touchdown. Furthermore, his lone interception proved to be quite costly, as Jourdan Lewis plucked the pass late in the third quarter to set up Matt Wile’s game-tying, 42-yard field goal (13-13).  

From top to bottom, quarter to quarter, Saturday was one of the better efforts by the DBs.

“[The momentum and energy] started from this whole week—we had a great week in practice, and this whole week it just carried over to Saturday,” said the 5’10”, 175-pound sophomore corner. “We just unleashed on the field.”

Lewis was proud of the way his teammates responded to Hackenberg, who opened the game with four completions for more than 10 yards. The Wolverines executed strategy, learned from past mistakes and pieced together and entire game, which is always the goal.

“Always,” he said. “That’s our plan, every game—and that’s exactly what coach [defensive coordinator Greg] Mattison wants [is for] us to play four quarters and finish.

“And that’s what we did.”

While the win came at a great time—just two weeks before Michigan (3-4, 1-1) heads to No. 8-ranked Michigan State (6-1, 2-0)—it can’t be overblown. Sure, it was important for the sake of winning, but it doesn’t erase the rest of the mess that’s become 2014.

The offense is slowly but surely churning. There could be more, and better, production on the horizon. They key word is "could." 

The run defense has been more than reliable. That’s an understatement, actually. It’s been the backbone of Greg Mattison’s No. 9-ranked total defense.

Now it’s the secondary’s turn to tighten up on all fronts.

Player	Strength	Stat
Jourdan Lewis	Tackling, awareness	DB-high 27 tackles, 2 INT
Blake Countess	Man-coverage? It was.	14 tackles
Jarrod Wilson	Reads WRs well, hits better	24 tackles
Delonte Hollowell	Speed, instincts	Nearly made second-best play by DB. Lewis' tackle of Utah's Bubba Poole is No. 1. He also has 2 TFL.
Jabrill Peppers	TBD	One start, pep talks
Raymon Taylor	Versatility, instincts	15 tackles, 1 TFL
Channing Stribling	Strength	Zero starts
Brandon Watson	Upside	TBD

Doing the Job

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With just three interceptions on the season, it’s a wonder that the Wolverines have the Big Ten’s No. 4-ranked pass defense (207.4 YPG, 6.7 YPC). Imagine what a few friendly bounces could do for the corners and safeties. Bad luck and tough breaks have been the case all year, evidenced by Delonte Hollowell’s almost-touchdown versus Penn State.

Had there been a fumble, Hollowell’s recovery for six points would have stood. Instead, it was ruled as an incomplete pass, which it clearly was. But that doesn’t mean that Hollowell shouldn’t be praised for the instinctual move.

The defensive backs still have “it.” But “it” isn’t as consistent as it needs to be.

Blake Countess, a 5’10”, 185-pound redshirt junior, must regain his bearings or risk seeing more time on the bench. He was absent for stretches during the second half against Penn State. Was it based on play? Or was he hurt?

Only Countess and the coaching staff know for sure.

But one thing is certain: If the preseason Jim Thorpe Award candidate doesn’t rebound, the defense will be in for a long fall. His coverage against Rutgers was far below his normal standard. He wasn’t incredible versus the Nittany Lions, either.

Michigan’s secondary won’t reach its peak if Countess remains in a lull.

Getting Rest

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During Saturday’s postgame presser, one of the better questions was asked by John Borton of The Wolverine. Injuries aside, he wanted to know if Hoke thought now was a good time for a bye.

“[Sips water] That’s a very good question, John. Yes, it is [media laughs],” Hoke said with a smile. “Believe me. It’s happening at a good time as far as we get some rest, and the guys get away from us a little bit—which is always positive.

“Probably more positive for them than me because I’ll worry about them. I think it’s good that we have a chance for them to get rested up a little bit.”

Due to a leg injury, Delano Hill’s out for the rest of the year. Five-star sensation Jabrill Peppers isn’t playing for whatever reason. Hoke won’t say if he’s injured, so don’t bother asking. The rest of the stable—Channing Stribling, Dymonte Thomas, Reon Dawson, Terry Richardson and Brandon Watson, to name a few—must stand on guard in the event something happens to Ray Taylor, Jarrod Wilson or Lewis.

Preparation and readiness are key.

With that said, Michigan will likely spend part of its Saturday watching the Spartans, who travel to Bloomington to take on Indiana. As of now, Michigan State has the No. 6-ranked passing offense (254 YPG) in the Big Ten, which is a modest stat for a team that’s capable of piling on points through the air.

However, all stats aren’t created equal. And some don’t tell the entire story. At No. 3, the Spartans have one of the league’s—and the country’s—most efficient passing attacks. Their quarterbacks have been picked just five times this year, contributing to an impressive efficiency rating of 156.

This season isn't over, but it's close. A loss to Michigan State wouldn't shock anyone. However, the secondary can play a major factor in the potential upset in East Lansing. 

It's easier said than done, but that's about all the hope that remains for a team that was supposed to be in line for a Big Ten championship. 

Follow Bleacher Report’s Michigan Wolverines football writer Adam Biggers on Twitter @AdamBiggers81

Unless otherwise noted, quotes and references to were obtained firsthand by the writer.