The defense will need to play better vs. OU
Some people are overreacting a little about the defense. Michigan allowed 17 points and 267 yards total. It was more points than Michigan wanted to allow but a trick play and some poors calls were a contributing factor.
It's disappointing to give up 17 points, but those are correctable mistakes. New Mexico had one completion of more than 20 yards. That's it. One explosive gain. The Lobos did have 21 first downs, yet some of those were attributed to eight Michigan penalties.
The Michigan football defense forced four turnovers and allowed just 1.8 yards per rushing attempt. Cole Sullivan had a breakout game. Dominic Nichols and Nate Marshall flashed in the fourth quarter, too.
The pass rush could have been better. It will need to be this week, but with all the rotating going on, it's way too early to worry about the defense.
If Michigan can hold the Sooners under 20 points, they'll have a good chance of winning the game, now that Bryce Underwood is the starting quarterback.