Iowa’s defense is top five
Iowa holds the following national defensive rankings according to NCAA.com:
Yards allowed per game: 251
Rank: 5th
Yards allowed per play: 4.87
Rank: 31st
Total yards allowed: 1004
Rank: 5th
Rushing yards allowed per game: 77
Rank: 10th
Touchdowns allowed: 4
Rank: Tied 2nd
As you can see, Iowa’s defense is incredible, and Michigan’s offense didn’t help those numbers. The Wolverines accumulated 271 total yards with 120 of those on the ground.
Only one other team this season has faced the 5th ranked defense in the country and put up more yards than Michigan.
“As I said, I think it’s coming, I think it’s showing.” Harbaugh said at Monday’s press conference. “Like I said earlier, top defense in the country against Wisconsin, one of the top defenses in Iowa — there’s a point where you actually say ‘Good job, well-played.’ I feel with our team, the effort is great, off the charts. At the highest level. When you get that, then you can get everything else.”
As Jim correctly mentioned, Wisconsin is the number one team in the country for total defense.
Oh, and I forgot to mention, Army is ranked 20th in total defense. That means three of the five defenses Michigan has gone up against are listed in the top 20.
Tough schedule? I think so.