Does Michigan Have Any Solutions to Its Defensive Problems?

Michigan's defense can't get off the field.

The last couple of games Michigan has been in close games in terms of final score, but they are getting killed in time of possession.

When you have a rhythm type of offense with a true freshman quarterback, that is one thing; when your offense can't even get on the field, that is another.

Opposing football teams so far have been exposing holes in Michigan's defense, as well as ways to exploit not only the defense, but game plan to keep the offense off the field as well. Teams have taken notice and will continue to run downhill on an undersized defensive front that averages under 250 pounds in the front seven.

Any coach worth his salt will do something that's working until the opposing team can stop it. Michigan's defense is struggling on multiple levels; it's killing the team's chances to defeat anybody good, and the coaching staff needs to find a solution as soon as possible.

Let's identify a few serious problems.

1) Time of possession

Something I already discussed, but it bears repeating. When your defense is on the field for over 40 minutes a game and 22 minutes in the first half, you have a problem, especially when you aren't dictating that by scoring quickly. It's almost never good to have the ratio that Michigan has in T.O.P. The question is why they can't get off the field.

2) Michigan is too small up front

All of their starting defensive linemen are clearly under 300 lbs. They essentially don't even have a true nose tackle getting consistent playing time, nor anyone that is taking up two gaps or closing running lanes. The linebackers are also a bit small with Steve Brown at 210 lbs. UM has good players, but they are undersized, causing them to get blown off the ball.

3) Michigan runs a 3-4 scheme

The scheme itself isn't such a problem, and the roster may have fit the scheme better in the offseason, but a 3-4 mixed with relatively undersized guys only compounds the inefficiency of the run defense. When you use four linebackers and three defensive linemen and none of your defensive linemen weigh over 300 lbs., that isn't a good combination.

4) There hasn't been any depth in the secondary

Aside from Donovan Warren, Michigan's defensive backs are bad. You are only as good as you play, and again, they are bad. Warren is a junior with NFL potential, but Boubacar Cissoko, J.T. Floyd, and Troy Woolfolk are playing terribly. Another flicker has come from Jordan Kovacs the walk-on, but that has more to do with hustle than talent.

5) Fundamentals

I have seen so far...horribly missed tackles, blown coverages, guys out of position, slow convergence to the ball, high tackling, and an overall lack of physical play and execution by the defense. Those are just the things I can think of.

Solutions

1) William Campbell has got to get more playing time. This guy has the hulking 330-lb. frame that you need from a defensive tackle, or rather nose tackle. Campbell is an All-American who has already played some and already burned his redshirt, but he needs to get a lot of playing time starting on the first drive at Iowa.

When you have a guy that size, he has game-changing potential, and it would be a sin to not give him a much larger role. Even if they have to move things around up front to accommodate him, Campbell must play for Michigan to get better. If he does, Michigan's run defense WILL improve.

2) Justin "JT" Turner (and other freshman defensive backs) is another guy who needs to get a chance to start. Cissoko needs work, and Floyd isn't a super talent at corner, but Turner could make an impact opposite Warren. Again, this is a case of a guy who couldn't do any worse and could probably do much better.

I say give him a chance in a game. Vlad Emilien also needs more involvement in the defense, as he has played a lot on special teams and could provide a more physical presence in the secondary.

Conclusively, Michigan's problems on defense may not be settled this season by a long shot, but Turner and Campbell could provide a spark to help with the current problems. Michigan is struggling against the run, the pass, and stopping teams on third and long. If they can't get off the field, they are going to have to score at will, which is easier said than done.