Michigan Wolverines’ defensive woes against USC Trojans all point to one common denominator, and it’s worrisome for the rest of the season
The Michigan Wolverines have a problem on their coaching staff, and it needs to get fixed ASAP.
The Michigan Wolverines had plenty of reasons to be excited about their matchup against the USC Trojans on Saturday. They were riding a strong win streak, Bryce Underwood and Justice Haynes had been clicking offensively, the pass rush came alive, and Rod Moore’s return gave them another coach on the field.
That excitement came crashing down almost immediately against the Trojans. USC outcoached Michigan from the get-go, with Lincoln Riley taking Wolverines’ defensive coordinator Wink Martindale to the woodshed from the first drive of the game. Frustratingly enough, Martindale never made any adjustments as the game went on, trying to retain the same “exotic” defense that boils down to throwing the kitchen sink and refrigerator at opposing offenses.
As it turns out, it wasn’t enough. Yet again, the Wolverines have a problem at defensive coordinator, and it’s one that has cost them in both losses so far this season. Wink Martindale hasn’t shown an ability to maintain Michigan’s status as an elite defensive program, and it could cost them a shot at the College Football Playoff.
Wink Martindale Needs to Find Answers Soon, Or Else
The worst part about Martindale’s problems is the fact that these have been on film since they hired him. Michigan’s defense last year was just as poor fundamentally as they have been this year. The Wolverines missed 14(!) tackles against USC and 10 against Oklahoma. They bust coverages far too frequently, they still haven’t adjusted to motion, they stick with one look against personnel packages, and, perhaps worst of all, they cannot figure out the run fits. It’s year two of the Martindale experiment, and you would think it was the first spring game.
The unpredictable and exotic pressure looks Martindale sends look cool against overmatched opponents. However, you can’t do that when you lack a solid foundation of fundamentals, and Michigan does not have that. Look at the last touchdown of the game for USC.
Michigan runs a creeper blitz look up front. If I’m recognizing the play right, the linebacker (Cole Sullivan) is supposed to insert and fit opposite of the nose tackle, so they cover up all the gaps. Instead, Sullivan blows the fit, chasing the runner. One cutback later, there’s nobody in the gap, and USC walks in for a touchdown. Gap runs have victimized Michigan all season long.
This was a routine theme all throughout the game. Players look lost in coverage and still have yet to figure out a screen pass 7 weeks into the season. It’s not just one player, either. If it’s not a linebacker, it’s a cornerback or a safety, and vice versa. Michigan’s defensive line, the best position room on the entire roster, was completely negated (six total pressures) because the rest of the defense had no idea what was going on.
The problem isn’t a talent issue. Michigan has dudes at every level of the defense, at least from a physical talent perspective. At this point, it boils down to coaching. The same problems have snakebitten this roster for two straight seasons now. When will enough be enough?
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