Derrick Moore takes the defense to another level
We can talk all we want about Wink Martindale. He has called the defense more conservative the past two weeks. It was a good course correction, and it worked. Why? Players like Derrick Moore.
If you are going to drop seven into coverage, you have to be able to win up front. Michigan did last week, in part, because of two sacks by Moore. The Wolverines don't hold Washington to seven points without his pressure.
The same could be said for Michigan State. Moore had two sacks. Michigan wound up with four total. They also applied a ton of pressure on Aidan Chiles, who completed just 14 of 28 passes for 130 yards. That's 4.6 yards per pass attempt.
Moore isn't the only one getting to the quarterback. Jaishawn Barham and T.J. Guy have played much better the past two weeks, too.
If you're going to play conservative on defense, the defensive line has to win. Derrick Moore has done that at a high rate the past two weeks and when plays like that, the defense is just different.