Michigan Football: 5 Questions Wolverines must answer in 2020

Can the defense hold up?

When it comes to defense, Michigan football routinely ranks as one of the top units in the country and hasn’t ranked outside the top 11 in any season under Harbaugh.

The problem comes against elite offenses, such as Ohio State and Alabama, which both hung 50 on the Wolverines a year ago. Wisconsin also ran over Michigan to the tune of 35 points.

While Alabama and Ohio State each burned the Wolverines with some deep passes down the field, in the three worst defensive games — Bama, OSU, Wiscy — the run defense didn’t hold up either.

The defensive line essentially returns intact with Aidan Hutchinson, Kwity Paye, Carlo Kemp and Chris Hinton expected to join them in the starting lineup after playing a lot down the stretch. It’s essential that Hinton, Mazi Smith and Donovan Jeter provide some depth against the run.

The pass rush will also have to find a way to replace the production and edge rushing ability of Josh Uche, although Paye and Hutch both seem due for breakout seasons in that department.

As far as DC Don Brown, he knows his unit needs to improve and here’s what he said in reference to Ohio State’s hang-100 comment via 247 sports:

"“We get ready to play against them every day. We’re running plays, we’re seeing concepts and we’ve got a lot of work to do. So I just keep my mouth shut and go to work every day, that’s what I do. And that’s what I’m gonna do.”"

Brown has been known for his pressure packages and man-to-man coverages, but he has changed his ways. He started playing more zone last year and according to this soundbite (via Wolverines Wire) more changes are on the way for 2020:

"“We’ve done a good job I think of evaluating our strengths and implementing them, but also tweaking our coverage base, what we’re doing there. But really tweaking our pressures, our non-pressures, where people are coming from. Obviously, that’s a big deal.”"

With former five-star safety Daxton Hill, as well as others with NFL potential such as Cam McGrone, Brad Hawkins and corner Vincent Gray, U-M has talent, but can its defense be elite?