Michigan's defense continues to struggle despite beating Indiana
Michigan defensive coordinator Greg Robinson pleads with his defense to stop Indiana on fourth down late in the fourth quarter Saturday. The Hoosiers scored on the play to tie the game at 35-35.
Lon Horwedel | AnnArbor.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - If the Michigan football team's defense doesn’t improve, sophomore linebacker Craig Roh doesn't know what he'll do. Already, it’s stressing him out.
“Oh gosh,” the sophomore linebacker said, joking. “I’m probably going to die at a pretty young age because of football. It’s fun, though.”
Ha ha's aside, there isn’t much funny about Michigan’s defense. As good as the Wolverines offense has been, the defense has been every bit as bad. That was obvious again after rough day in a 42-35 win against Indiana.
Michigan's defense was on the field for 98 plays. It had to make 100 tackles. And, oh yeah, it allowed 568 yards of offense, the most the Hoosiers have racked up all year.
By 102 yards.
Indiana’s 35 points and total offense are all-time highs for the Hoosiers in the 61-game history of the series.
It isn’t as if Indiana has played a top defense, either. The Hoosiers couldn’t muster 500 yards in a game against a Football Championship Subdivision school (Towson) or one of the worst programs in the Football Bowl Subdivision (Western Kentucky) or a middle-of-the-road MAC school (Akron).
But Michigan (5-0) came to town and Indiana quarterback Ben Chappell threw for a career-high 480 yards - obliterating his previous career high against Western Kentucky this year, when he threw for 366 yards. Chappell set school records with completions (45), attempts (64), passing yards (480) and total offensive yards (475). It is the best day an opposing quarterback has had against Michigan.
Ever.
His favorite target, junior Tandon Doss, caught a career-high 15 passes for a career-high 221 yards. The yardage is the fourth-best in Indiana history.
“They have a lot of young guys in their secondary, so we exposed them a lot,” Doss said. “They played great, obviously they won, but they left the middle of the field open a lot, too, so we were able to get crossers in.”
Crossers, deep routes, small routes. Pretty much Indiana (3-1) picked apart a Michigan defense that allowed 400 yards a game going into Saturday.
Michigan’s defensive woes are the same as a year ago. The Wolverines struggle to tackle. The secondary is inexperienced and playing far off the line against a team known for passing.
“We’re just going to look at the tape, but I’m pretty sure there were some missed assignments and blown coverages,” Roh said. “Some, you know, we’re a young defense and are always learning and that’s what’s exciting about it.”
Michigan often rushed three defenders, despite the defensive line being a strength of the Michigan defense - much like it was a year ago when it was anchored by Brandon Graham. Mike Martin has taken over the role of defensive line leader and had a disruptive day, often drawing double-teams and making seven tackles, including a sack and two tackles for loss.
Behind him, though, are a host of issues.
“It’s a lot easier to fix stuff, I say it every week, it’s a lot easier to fix it when you win,” defensive backs coach Tony Gibson said. “Our kids, we didn’t have many stops, but we came up big when we had to a few times in the second half.
“We just have got a lot of work to do.”
The man leading the Michigan defense, Greg Robinson, refused to comment for the second week in a row when approached after the game.
Michigan is allowing more yards per game this year - 433.6 - than it did a year ago, when it allowed 392 yards a game through five contests.
And as well as Indiana played last year offensively against Michigan - the Hoosiers were better this year. Considering the brunt of the Big Ten schedule awaits starting Saturday with 5-0 Michigan State (3:36 p.m., ABC/ESPN), Michigan better hope it finds help. Fast.
“They controlled the game with their offense, which is something that worries us going in,” Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez said. “We had a lot of, three, four, five, true freshmen so they are going to learn in a hurry.
“They learned a lot of lessons and have to get better in a hurry.”
Michael Rothstein covers University of Michigan basketball for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at (734) 623-2558, by e-mail at michaelrothstein@annarbor.com or follow along on Twitter @mikerothstein
Comments
Sandiegoman
Mon, Oct 4, 2010 : 10:13 a.m.
The defensive talent is way over-rated. The recruiting classes have dropped in recent years and have only been kept up by mostly offensive talent - biased toward the small receiver-athletes. Not enough D. Will Campbell? Fat and happy with a big head. Lalota? Over-rated and now gone. If the talent is (and has been) so great the past 2-3 years, then why don't we have any defensive players being drafted and playing in the NFL. Only Graham has made it out of our last couple classes. Granted, he was an absolute stud, but even Purdue can come up with one great defensive player. Warren? Not very good. I don't see a Woodson, a Leon Hall, an Alan Branch, a Gabe Watson, a Woodley, even a Graham right now, etc... Mike Martin is very good, Mouton is okay, Roh has potential but needs to add another 20 pounds so that he's not tossed around like Sam McGuffie. Other than that, where is all this talent? Aside from Martin, nobody on this defense will ever be playing on Sundays... You can change coaches all you want, but it's a waste of time. What we need is better defensive recruiting. GERG has a solid rep. as a D Coordinator in the NFL and College. I didn't like the Indiana gameplan, but you can only cover up warts with so much make-up...
Sandiegoman
Mon, Oct 4, 2010 : 1:46 a.m.
The defensive talent is way over-rated. The recruiting classes have dropped in recent years and have only been kept up by mostly offensive talent - biased toward the small receiver-athletes. Not enough D. Will Campbell? Fat and happy with a big head. Lalota? Over-rated and now gone. If the talent is (and has been) so great the past 2-3 years, then why don't we have any defensive players being drafted and playing in the NFL. Only Graham has made it out of our last couple classes. Granted, he was an absolute stud, but even Purdue can come up with one great defensive player. Warren? Not very good. I don't see a Woodson, a Leon Hall, an Alan Branch, a Gabe Watson, a Woodley, even a Graham right now, etc... Mike Martin is very good, Mouton is okay, Roh has potential but needs to add another 20 pounds so that he's not tossed around like Sam McGuffie. Other than that, where is all this talent? Aside from Martin, nobody on this defense will ever be playing on Sundays... You can change coaches all you want, but it's a waste of time. What we need is better defensive recruiting. GERG has a solid rep. as a D Coordinator in the NFL and College. I didn't like the Indiana gameplan, but you can only cover up warts with so much make-up...
iam4blue
Sun, Oct 3, 2010 : 7:55 p.m.
Dear Rich Rod - I highly recommend that you conduct walk-on tryouts for Defensive Coordinator. I've taught my 4th and 5th grade team to play better defense than my beloved Wolverines. This is not a talent or inexperience issue. This is 100% a coaching issue! Anyone who knows anything about the game can recognize that by watching one defensive series.
Kubrick66
Sun, Oct 3, 2010 : 4 p.m.
MaizeandBlueU... If something works stick with it... If it's not working, you have to make a change. The 3-3-5 is not working for Michigan.
MaizeandBlueU
Sun, Oct 3, 2010 : 3:19 p.m.
Here's some info on WVU's defense in 2007 provided by wvgazette.com: "And the bottom line is that it is hard to argue with statistics that say in 2007 West Virginia's defense ranked seventh in the nation in yards allowed, eighth in points surrendered, No. 14 in passing defense and No. 18 in rushing defense." Anybody want to guess what defensive scheme they were running at the head coaches request? You guessed it 3-3-5. Granted everyone is going to argue strength of schedule, the scheme can work. The blame should be placed throughout the team. I am one of many wanting to go back to the 4-3; especially when the focus of your defensive recruiting is on linebackers and defensive linemen.
msp890
Sun, Oct 3, 2010 : 12:17 p.m.
It's not the players it's the COACHES. You can tell that they are not allowed to read the receivers but are only allowed to "sit down" in their zoned position. Watch them when the fall back and all you see is their heads on a swivel looking for a receiver in their area. If no receiver they just stay in their zoned position and most times out of the play instead of getting into the play. It's absolutely ridiculous!!! 8 defenders and still 500 yards over the air. TIME TO GET SOME REAL COACHES FOR DEFENSE RICH ROD!!!!!!! ROBINSON is a complete failure.
lawrencelaundry
Sun, Oct 3, 2010 : noon
No talent at Michigan is absurd. U mean to tell me there's more talent at towson western kentucky or akron. Give me a break. There's reason why gerg was fired from his last job. There may not be 20 5 star players but theres some talent. Its funny cause last I knew we were top 20 classes in recruiting the last 50 yrs. I wonder how some of these no name fcs schools pop up and beat fbs schools all the time. Oh, it must be they have more talent. Good coaches motivate their players and run great schemes regardless of talent,that's why u have schools like TCU, Appalation state, utah, tulsa win all the time. No talent at a big time school like Michigan is crap. They must have some kids from walmart playing Michigan D. Coaching damn near trumps everything.
tommyf0412
Sun, Oct 3, 2010 : 9:06 a.m.
There is a easy solution to fixing this defense. Fire the whole defensive staff. These guy's say that they work all week on positioning and angles. Well if you broke down the film you would see a hundred times that our player's were out of position...this is not rocket science. A easy fix even with this coaching staff is that the defensive backs play press coverage staying 3 yards back off of the receiver's, this will slow down the offense and give the d-line time to get to the quarterback. Another fix is where are the linebacker's, Mouton out of position, Obie is a joke and yet he still starts??? Where is the creativity with the blitzing??? Rich has a great offense and a terrible defensive staff and im sorry to say that they will not win a championship until some major changes come on the defensive side of the ball. The talent is there, they are just not lined up in the correst places on the field. No more excuses, if you can't get it right time to move on because the defensive staff is a embarrasement to this university, and I hope that Dave Brandon at the end of this year offer's a ultimatem to Rich, either they go or you all go!
GoblueinNE_PA
Sun, Oct 3, 2010 : 7:57 a.m.
We are about to have the worst defense in the history of Michigan, which is saying something since we've had the worst D in Michigan history the past 2 years. GRob certainly deserves some credit for this, but I think the lions share belongs to RichRod. The 3-3-5 is HIS defense, not GRob's. GRob would run a 4-3, or even a true 3-4, if it was up to him. No, RichRod is the "mastermind" behind this pathetic display. I find it amusing that everyone is quick to lay the blame of this debacle at GRob's feet, but then give Calvin McGee absolutely no credit for the offense. I have NEVER, EVER seen anyone mention his name. Nope, that credit all goes to the HC. And it probably should. That's the problem though, when you hire a one dimensional coach to be your HC. You get half a team. I'm rooting for the team as always and will be hoping and praying we win next week, but we're stepping up to the big boys next week. The MSU running game is going to do to us what the IU passing game did, the difference is MSU's defense is a LOT better than IU's. This absurd idea that "we can't be stopped" is going to be shown for what it is, wishful thinking. ND shut us down for most of the 2nd half. Even IU had us go 3 and out 2 or 3 times. Now, imagine what it will be like when we have less than 20 minutes of ToP vs an MSU team w/a good defense? Frankly, it could get ugly. I'm expecting something very similar to last year, where we had a spurt at the start of the game and one again at the end of the game and the bulk of the game nothing but futility. DRob is better at this stage than Tate was last year, so we won't be completely shutdown, but it will probably feel that way w/no ToP.
tulsatom
Sun, Oct 3, 2010 : 6:46 a.m.
"The man leading the Michigan defense, Greg Robinson, refused to comment for the second week in a row when approached after the game". He probably remembered what his mother told him when he was a kid, "If you don't have anything good to say, don't say anything at all". Unlike some, I don't place all the blame on Greg Robinson. He deserves his share of the blame because his defensive backs and linebackers often miss tackles and are out-of-position, which clearly reflects the lack of fundamentals, which is the responsibility of the defensive coordinator and other defensive coaches to instill. However, it is also clear that the head coach shares in the blame for the poor defensive showing because a good head coache is supposed to care equally about both sides of the ball, but it is painfully obvious that Coach Rodriguez is coach whose entire focus is on offense. Therefore, he leaves the recruting of defensive players to his underlings while he courts offensive players to boost the octane level of the offense. His staff doesn't have as much influence over recruting as the head coach does. Unfortunately, defense has been an afterthought at U-M in the Rich Rodriguez era and now we are reaping the harvest from that neglect. Although RR didn't inherit a stellar defense, it's become even weaker under his watch and that's the responsibility of the head coach, period. One last thought: I believe he should've kept Ron English as defensive coordinator despite Ron competing for the head coach job at the time. Ron was a great recruiter who knew how to recruit talented players, espeically the west coach kids like Jonas Mouton, who is one of the best players on this year's team. The defense would've been more solid today if that had happened. Maybe they can get him back, if he'll leave EMU.
dmstark
Sun, Oct 3, 2010 : 6:07 a.m.
Kubbrick66 is right on. Don't tell us there is a lack of talent. IU ran up more yards SHREDDING the D than they did against Towson, Western Kentucky, and Akron. If that case were accurate, then all those folks that believe "it's a lack of talent" acknowledge that those 3 minuscule schools have more talent than UM. It is GRobinson, and his scheme. He has to go, today! It was shameful to watch - 35 1st downs, 600 yards, success on 4th and 5 twice IN THE 4th QUARTER(where is the heart). Just to show us how they really felt about our D, they also went for it on 4th and 15. It's terrible D coaching plain and simple! RR needs to step up, acknowledge the issue, and make the change.
Kubrick66
Sun, Oct 3, 2010 : 3:09 a.m.
It would be laughable if it weren't so painful to watch... The photo of GR pleading with his defense to make a stop. Lets see... give the receivers a 10 yard cushion, have your LB's and Safeties guard a spot on the field... and this is the big one... Rush only three, allowing the pocket passer to go through all his progressions... while the DB's are taught to keep that 10 yard cushion, keep the play in front of them, (even if the receiver is past the first down marker) then make the tackle. Success! Did just as you told me coach-- Kept the play in front of me, kept that cushion, rushed three, LB's and Safeties covered no one, but kept close watch on their "turf." This is what we saw up and down the field for 35 first downs and 42 minutes of possession. Defensive coaching is CRIMINAL!
Kubrick66
Sun, Oct 3, 2010 : 2:55 a.m.
3 and Out... With all due respect you have zero credibility. From week one you've drawn a line in the sand, and every week since you've continued to move that line. Hang in there, eventually you'll get something right. On to others matters... The one quick fix this team needs right now is to add a forth down lineman. That alone should improve the D considerably.
3 And Out
Sun, Oct 3, 2010 : 2:30 a.m.
yeah...its Gerg...a couple years ago it was Shafer....fall guy for RR. oh yeah and you guys also blame Lloyd Carr 3 years later... what a ship of fools this team is going down starting next week. and i will hate to see that but you know its coming
lawrencelaundry
Sun, Oct 3, 2010 : 2:24 a.m.
No talent at Michigan is absurd. U mean to tell me there's more talent at towson western kentucky or akron. Give me a break. There's reason why gerg was fired from his last job. There may not be 20 5 star players but theres some talent. Its funny cause last I knew we were top 20 classes in recruiting the last 50 yrs. I wonder how some of these no name fcs schools pop up and beat fbs schools all the time. Oh, it must be they have more talent. Good coaches motivate their players and run great schemes regardless of talent,that's why u have schools like TCU, Appalation state, utah, tulsa win all the time. No talent at a big time school like Michigan is crap. They must have some kids from walmart playing Michigan D. Coaching damn near trumps everything.
diablo_cheese
Sun, Oct 3, 2010 : 1:29 a.m.
Maybe when we play better def it will slow down drob and off from scoring so fast. having our def on the field for 3/4 of the game is hard to watch. once this time of poss balances out hopefully the def will produce better results. Although i got to give them some props thAT THEY ONLY GAVE UP ONE SCORE ON one of the last 5 poss of indiana. thats an accomplishment in its self.
Sandiegoman
Sat, Oct 2, 2010 : 11:42 p.m.
It's not just coaching; it's lack of talent and inexperience. Open your eyes.... Even Dick LeBeau couldn't do anything with these players. Playing Will Campbell into shape when he's never been motivated sends a bad message to the entire team. The kids are trying; the coaches are trying. If we had Greg Jones in the middle rather than Obi Ezeh, it would be a much different scenario. No talent; no good.
ohiowolverine
Sat, Oct 2, 2010 : 11:24 p.m.
I've been a fan for over 50 years and I have never bad mouthed a coach, but come on now, something has to change with our D. I was saying 9 wins this season but now I'm hoping we can get by Ill. and Perdue. Forget about beating anyone else in the big ten plus 2 unless we can score 60 or more points a game.
lawrencelaundry
Sat, Oct 2, 2010 : 10:53 p.m.
All i'm gonna say is its all about coaching. GERG must be out of his time. You can't tell me after 5 weeks of coaching it gets worse. The talent is there. Wait till we play a team like MSU that can throw and run the ball. Maybe if big W. Cambell played from the beginning of the season he be in shape and make a difference by now. What is sad is Michigan may have another D coordinator by yrs end. Especially when IU previous teams allowed less ypg. Crazy is our D is worse than a subdivision team. Don't worry D. We know u have talent. Your Coaches just suck.