Michigan's dominant defensive performance against top programs sends them into 2025 with momentum on their side
The Michigan Wolverines had a difficult 2024 season on the field for much of the season. They struggled to move the ball throughout much of the season. Nothing felt as much of a low point as their 21-7 loss to Illinois in October. However, they closed the season as strong as anyone did, both on […]
The Michigan Wolverines had a difficult 2024 season on the field for much of the season. They struggled to move the ball throughout much of the season. Nothing felt as much of a low point as their 21-7 loss to Illinois in October.
However, they closed the season as strong as anyone did, both on and off the field. The Wolverines defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes and Alabama Crimson Tide in their last two games of the season to close the season with an 8-5 record.
Against the Buckeyes and 'Tide, two of the best offenses in college football, the Wolverines allowed a combined 23 points. Ohio State and Alabama averaged 36 and 35.5 points per game this season, respectively.
Michigan's defense didn't pitch a perfect shutout, but it was pretty close. Across both games, the Wolverines had 10 tackles for loss, five sacks, eight pass breakups, and five turnovers. Additionally, they didn't allow more than 200 yards passing in either game.
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In fact, they didn't allow 300 yards of offense to either team.
What makes this even more impressive is that Michigan had multiple players out for the bowl game. Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant, Josaiah Stewart, and Will Johnson didn't play against Alabama. The Wolverines still suffocated Alabama's offense without virtually all of their NFL talent.
In the middle of the season, I wrote about the Wolverines having a Wink Martindale problem on defense. Now? That feels ludicrous after these last three games.
Off of a disappointing 2024 season, Michigan closing the season off on such a high note on the field is an unbelievable shot in the arm for the program. The team felt like it was treading water after Jim Harbaugh's departure and their poor start to the season. Now, they stack dominant wins over two premier blue-blood programs to end the year.
The future of the team feels bright on the defensive side of the ball.
