Michigan Football: Orange Bowl statistical analysis

Michigan’s Passing Offense vs Georgia’s Pass Defense

In the last few weeks, Michigan’s passing offense has really woken up. I am not sure what team awoke the beast that is Mike Sainristl but whoever it was should deeply apologize to every team Michigan’s played since.

On roughly 340 attempts Michigan has thrown for about 3,000 yards and 20 passing touchdowns. While these numbers do not look pretty as others, and they do not rank as high as others, they are just as efficient as everyone else, and the difference comes down to singular yards.

On the flip side, Georgia’s pass defense ranks in the upper echelon in every pass defense statistic imaginable. While it may not seem like it after that whooping Alabama served them, one game does not define a team. Georiga’s allowed QB’s to only a 56% completion percentage and only a combined eight touchdowns.

A good comparison for Michigan is actually Washington who leads the nation in moss pass defense statistics this season. While Washington is not as good as Georgia and has not played as good of teams that Georgia has played, they play decent teams, and by no stretch do they not have good talent.

In that game, Michigan football really did not need to pass the ball but honestly really couldn’t. McNamara was held to just 44 yards passing and a little under a 50% completion rating.

While it was early in the season and McNamara has greatly improved since Michigan needs to figure out a way to keep a balanced attack or else Georgia is going to dominate.