Michigan Football: Grading Harbaugh and the Wolverines 2018 season

Defensive grade: B+

It’s crazy to think, but there was a time, not too long ago when this defense was getting compared to 1997. That’s how good everyone thought this defense was after it dominated Wisconsin, Michigan State and Penn State in a three-game stretch.

And in those games, Michigan football really was good on defense. The Wolverines held those three teams to an average of nine points. None of them reached 300 yards and as we all know, Michigan State finished with 94.

However, the issues with the pass defense came up multiple times. It started in the first game when Brandon Wimbush of all people hit some deep passes down the field as Notre Dame scored 21 first-half points in a win over the Wolverines.

Northwestern also scored 17 in the opening half before Michigan rallied to win. But it showed passers can have success and against Indiana, Ohio State and Florida, Michigan’s defense got exposed. Dwayne Haskins threw for 318 yards and five touchdowns. Florida’s Feleipe Franks also threw for 173 yards and a touchdown and ran for 74 yards as well.

While everyone is talking about the pass defense, what has been worse is stopping the run. After being a top run defense all year long, Michigan football allowed Ohio State to run for 249 yards and Florida to get 257. That’s just not acceptable. Guys were missing from the bowl game but just about everyone seemed to be missing from Ohio State cause they offered no resistance.

Don Brown does need to make some adjustments to his scheme, but Michigan’s secondary just also needs to get quicker, longer and more athletic. But at some point, Brown needs to change or get left behind because his defense allowed 89 points in the last two games not counting return touchdowns, so there is plenty of work to do.