Taking on Iowa’s highly regarded defense, Michigan’s defense hopes to perform well on its own
No. 16 Iowa is a two-sided coin. Furthermore, your impression of the Hawkeyes’ strength will vary greatly depending on which side you look at.
If all you considered about Iowa was its offensive capabilities, you would conclude that the Hawkeyes are among the Big Ten’s bottom teams. It’s evident that Iowa really, really struggles to move the ball because they have the second fewest points per game, the fewest passing yards and touchdowns, the worst passing efficiency, and the fewest yards per play. Furthermore, a football team’s inability to score goals, move the ball downfield, or even pass effectively is usually fatal.
However, the Hawkeyes have another side, and it’s the defense that accounts for nearly all of their success (10-2) and Big Ten Championship berth this Saturday. Furthermore, if all you paid attention to Iowa’s defense, you would conclude that it ought to be formidable.
The Hawkeyes’ defense appears excellent in nearly every statistic where their offense appears so miserable. They give up just two rushing touchdowns this year, the fourth fewest points per game, and the second fewest yards per attempt.
Iowa’s strengths and weaknesses are so obvious that No. 2 Michigan’s coaches and players are aware of what to expect and are searching for ways to counteract it.
The Michigan quarterbacks coach Kirk Campbell described the Hawkeyes’ defense as “so, so, fundamentally sound, but on normal downs they’re not overly complex.” It’s very difficult to find explosive plays with these guys up front in the coverage structure. You will need to exercise patience and accept their offer.
“On normal downs, they’re not overly complex, but they’re fundamentally sound,” Michigan quarterbacks coach Kirk Campbell said of the Hawkeye defense on Wednesday. “In the coverage structure, up front, explosive plays are extremely difficult to come by with these guys.” You’ll have to be patient and accept whatever they give you.”
That’s what makes Saturday’s championship game so special for Michigan: it’s the first time all season that the defense won’t be tested, but the offense will be. Nonetheless, Michigan defensive coordinator Jesse Minter believes the game will be won not only by exploiting the Hawkeyes’ defense, but also by winning what he sees as a defensive battle.
“I do think we’re playing against their defense,” Minter said on Wednesday. “A goal of ours in those types of games is to be the best defense on the field.”
The Wolverines have preached complementary football all season, but it will truly define the outcome against Iowa. Minter sees Iowa’s offense as a way to offset its defensive strength. The Hawkeyes have already punted more than any other team in the country; Michigan’s defense can help fuel its offense by continuing that trend and forcing them to punt from deep within their territory.
The Wolverines’ defense will have a chance to shine. Because for every statistic the Hawkeyes’ defense ranks high in, or every game that unit has won for its team, the same could be said about Michigan’s defense, which has 16 interceptions, four pick sixes, and the fewest points allowed per game in the country.
So, while Iowa’s imbalance from one side of the ball to the other may appear to relieve pressure on the Wolverines’ defense, the opposite is almost certainly true.
With Michigan’s offense facing a defense that could spin them in circles at times, the defense is looking to do the same. While the game may not be a defensive battle due to Michigan’s offensive prowess, Minter and the defense believe their performance will set the tone for the rest of the game.
