5 things we learned from Michigan Football win over Nebraska

Michigan’s defense is elite and shouldn’t be overlooked

The offensive line is elite. There is no debate about that but it’s time to put the defense in the same category.

Last year, the Wolverines were spectacular on defense. Aidan Hutchinson got second in the Heisman voting for a reason and David Ojabo was unbelievable down the stretch.

However, this “no-name” defense of 2022 is looking just as good, if not better than last year’s version. Mike Morris with 7.5 sacks is the closest thing to Hutch but this defense is more about the sum of its parts.

That being said, the defensive line is extraordinary. Mazi Smith and Kris Jenkins are both future pros, as is Morris. Then you have Mason Graham, who dominated Nebraska as a freshman with three tackles, a sack, and a tackle for loss.

Junior Colson had a stellar game and notched a sack, while the secondary clamped down. Trey Palmer was targeted 10 times and caught five passes for 12 yards. Gemon Green looked good and so did Will Johnson who looks better every week.

Whether it’s the front seven or the secondary, it’s hard to find weak spots on this defense and accordingly, the Wolverines have pitched four consecutive second-half shutouts.

In the last four games, Michigan football has allowed a total of 34 first downs. Not points. First downs, which is just 8.5 per game. The Wolverines have allowed just 44 total points in that stretch and in the Big Ten at least, I haven’t seen a defense that rivals this one.

What’s crazy is 14 of those points were on non-offensive touchdowns (Penn State INT, Rutgers Blocked punt) so in the last four games Michigan, with its defense on the field, has allowed just three touchdowns and three field goals.

That’s dominance and it’s why we shouldn’t shy away from calling this defense what it is — elite.