With Back-to-Back Shutouts, Michigan's Defense Is the Real Deal

This summer, the college football world couldn’t get enough of Michigan and coach Jim Harbaugh. Football writers focused on Harbaugh’s every move, with a big spotlight on the Wolverines’ quarterback competition.

Perhaps they missed the biggest story, though: the Wolverines defense. Michigan has made a surprising push into the Top 25 with passable offense, but the backbone of its success has been a nasty, opportunistic defensive front.

Saturday’s 28-0 shutout of Maryland, coupled with a 31-0 whitewashing of BYU, marked the program’s first back-to-back shutouts since October 2000, when Michigan blanked Indiana and Michigan State.

Patrick Semansky/Associated Press

 If the Wolverines make a push in the Big Ten East, they’ll do so behind a very strong, stingy defense that proves every week it can't be taken lightly.

In reality, the defense’s success was somewhat lost in the shuffle of 2014’s 5-7 campaign that marked the end of Brady Hoke’s UM tenure. Michigan allowed 311.3 yards per game, which ranked No. 7 nationally, and 22.4 points per game. The Wolverines were also top-20 nationally in both run and pass defense.

In fact, without the defense, 2014 would have been even worse, considering how it keyed ugly wins over Penn State (18-13) and Northwestern (10-9).

That defense returned five starters from 2014, but it has taken another step forward under new defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin. Redshirt freshman defensive back Jabrill Peppers (who redshirted last fall after several leg injuries) has made a difference with 16 tackles and three tackles for loss through four games (while also serving as a kick and punt returner), but there’s plenty of praise to go around.

Saturday, senior inside linebacker Desmond Morgan had nine tackles and an interception, and he played a huge role in the Wolverines holding Maryland to just 105 yards of total offense.

Maryland quarterback Caleb Rowe was unable to do anything against the Michigan defense, completing eight of 27 passes for 47 yards and three interceptions before yielding to backup Daxx Garman.

New starter Jake Rudock is a perfectly competent quarterback, and big plays like Jehu Chesson’s 66-yard touchdown run are always welcome, but if Michigan makes serious noise in league play, the defense will be the biggest reason why.

When Northwestern comes to the Big House next week, points figure to be at a premium. The Wildcats are coming off of a 27-0 shutout of their own against Minnesota. Entering Saturday’s action Michigan was already tied at No. 4 nationally in scoring defense, allowing 9.5 points per game. That ranking figures to improve this week.

In fact, since a 24-17 opening-week loss at Utah, Michigan has outscored its foes 122-14. That defense could be an equalizer against Big Ten East powers Michigan State and Ohio State, both still ahead on the schedule and in the Top 25. Ohio State's offense has struggled with turnovers and lived on the edge against the likes of Northern Illinois and Indiana. If Michigan can generate turnovers, its hopes of an upset increase.

If the Wolverines can pressure Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook into turnovers, it will help significantly against a nasty Spartan defense. 

The Wolverines are already exceeding expectations for Harbaugh’s first season. If they truly wind up surprising everyone by season’s end, a dominant, nasty defense will do the heavy lifting and deserve much of the credit.