Michigan's defense has always been the shining star, especially in the last three years since winning a National Championship. The expectations have always been high, but defensive coordinator Jay Hill just raised the bar for the Michigan defenders.
Anytime a new coordinator comes in, there is a lot of change, and Hill is no exception. Hill shared with the media on Thursday that Michigan has 100% of the new defense installed for this season, and now it comes down to completing the goals he set, and they certainly aren't for the weak:
- Hold opponents to fewer than 85 rushing yards
- Win the turnover margin no matter what
- Pass efficiency defense under 100
- A combination of seven turnovers and sacks per game
Hill believes these are the goals that Michigan needs to meet every game in order for the defense to be elite. Well, it could end up adding more pressure than needed and give opponents bulletin-board material, especially if they destroy each of those goals Hill set.
Jay Hill is giving Michigan's opponents the perfect bulletin-board material
It is not like Hill can't set goals for his defense, but those are some lofty goals, especially in his first season with the Wolverines. It should also be mentioned that Michigan has one of the toughest schedules in the country this season, so maybe he should be focusing more on how to beat those teams week by week.
The other part of it is the fact that he put it out there for everyone to see. It is one thing to set these goals and keep them just for his guys to know, but by putting it out there, he gives opponents an incentive to throw back at Michigan if they beat them.
Think about it: Michigan is going to face some really good rushing teams, like Oregon, and keeping teams below 85 rushing yards is going to be tough. If the Ducks go off in the run game, it is just something for fans and, let's face it, the social media team to throw back at the Wolverines.
Michigan already has a lot of pressure on them this season with the tough schedule, a new coaching staff, and the hope that Bryce Underwood will take the step forward he needs to. There is no reason to add to it all.
Maybe the way Hill is going about this is taking pressure off the offense, which also has high expectations this season, but it's just transferring that pressure to his defense. There is a better way that Hill could have gone about this whole goals thing, but now it's out there, and Michigan's defense will need to live up to it.
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