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Michigan’s defense rated as No. 2 unit in the country per vote by ESPN panel
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Michigan’s defense is looking to help lead the program to a 3rd straight win over Ohio State and a 3rd consecutive B1G title. The unit has been key to the resurgence of the Wolverines under Jim Harbaugh.
During the 2022 season, Michigan allowed 16.1 points per game, a mark that ranked 7th nationally. That final number was also heavily impacted by Michigan surrendering an uncharacteristic 51 points in a College Football Playoff loss to TCU.
Fortunately, the Wolverines return a number of key players to work with second-year DC Jesse Minter who was a Broyles Award finalist. Along with the returners, the Wolverines also added LB Ernest Hausmann from Nebraska and Edge rusher Josaiah Stewart from Coastal Carolina via the transfer portal.
As for the top defensive units in the country, ESPN recently unveiled the top 10 units as voted on by a 10-writer poll. While defending national champion Georgia received every 1st-place vote, Michigan was 2nd on the poll and 6 points ahead of the 3rd-place defense in Alabama.
Here’s what ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg had to say about Michigan’s defense entering the 2023 season:
Veteran defensive backs Rod Moore, Mike Sainristil, Makari Paige and R.J. Moten are back, and Michigan has high hopes for cornerback Will Johnson, another ESPN top-25 recruit in 2022, as well as spring standout Amorion Walker. Michigan’s CFP semifinal loss to TCU exposed some vulnerabilities, so there’s an obvious next step for the unit. The continuity with Minter and much of the personnel puts Michigan on track to be possibly an even better defense in 2023.
Michigan’s defensive outlook for 2023
During Michigan’s 2-year run in the B1G, it has been the defense to help set the tone for the offensive attack. Michigan was among the national leaders in scoring differential a year ago with an offensive average of 40.4 points per game to go with the top-10 defensive performance.
Heading into 2023, there is little reason to expect a regression from the Wolverine defense. The early-season schedule shakes out favorably with home games against East Carolina, UNLV, Bowling Green and Rutgers before a road trip against Nebraska on Sept. 30.
By the time the heart of the B1G schedule rolls around, the defense should be clicking with the November schedule likely to provide the biggest challenges on that side of the ball.
Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.