Michigan's Defense: A Mirage

- Michigan has 4 sacks through 3 games. They have no pass rush. In comparison (and remember, both Utah and Michigan have played two patsies and Michigan has played 3 games vs Utah playing two) Utah has 8 sacks by my count.

- Michigan has 1 TO in 3 games.

- In the first half, Notre Dame averaged 6 yards per play. Their first two drives of the second half yielded over 5 yards per play and 1 TD. Then ND shut down their offense. From that point on (remember, ND averaged 6 yards per play in the first half and first two drives of the second half), ND average 1 yard per play.

- Yes, ND only averaged 2.6 yards per carry rushing vs Michigan in the first half and the first two drives of the second half. But, Michigan gave up 8.1 yards per pass attempt and 13.5 yards per completion. Oh, and Michigan also gave up 28 points.

So, why does Michigan's defense look so good? It's not their defense. They gave up 6 yards per play to ND when ND tried and were down by 28 points when ND stopped playing. That isn't stout defense at all.

What covers up Michigan's defense is their offense. And no, their offense isn't good. It's just SLOW. BIG TIME. In Michigan's three games, they have averaged 2 plays/min vs ND, 1.96 plays per minute vs Miami (no, not that Miami), and 1.82 plays per minute vs App St.

They are old school slow. Huddle up, take a deep breath, relax, run the clock down, go run a play.

Compare that to Utah's offense this year. We averaged 3 plays per minute vs ISU and 2.63 plays per minute against FSU.

Michigan struggled BIG TIME vs hurry up teams last year. We will score points tomorrow. Throw in that Michigan ran a 6 man front vs ND, which ND ate up, and two of their 4 starting DB's are hurt....Well, you decide how great their defense is.

Call me a homer, but the numba's don't lie.