Michigan Football: 5 predictions for the Wolverines defense in 2019

Brown and the Wolverines will solve the Buckeye problem

When you look at Brown’s resume with the Wolverines the past three years, at one time or another, he has shut down every Big Ten team at least once — except Ohio State.

Michigan Wolverines

Last season, after getting run over by Penn State in 2017, Michigan football dominated the Nittany Lions on defense. The Wolverines did the same thing to Wisconsin and Michigan State and even though Justin Fields will quarterback Ohio State next season, Michigan can still succeed.

Looking back, Don Brown’s defenses had more success against J.T. Barrett, a running quarterback, than Haskins, who is more of a thrower. The Wolverines dominated the 2017 game on defense until Haskins came in during the second half.

In the game last year, Ohio State spread out Michigan and the Wolverines failed to adjust and used linebackers to cover receivers, tight ends, and backs they had no business being matched up against one-on-one.

This time around, Michigan will have Dax Hill for one thing, which will help. Others like Vincent Gray, who is 6-foot-3 but can still run could also make more of an impact, as opposed to the 5-foot-10 Long.

Different personnel and a slight adjustment in the scheme will make a huge difference against Ohio State. The fact that Fields will be starting in his first game in the series should also help. He’s a better runner than thrower right now and that should play right into the hands of Michigan football when the two teams meet again this November.

Some might laugh at the prediction that Michigan will win the day on defense, but after a year to prepare, I am confident in Brown’s ability to dial up a winning gameplan. Whether or not the offense can do enough to win the game is another matter, but on Nov. 30, 2019, his defense will rise up and finally hold the Buckeyes under 20.