Michigan should have a new chip on its shoulder after defensive rankings

There is the old saying that states 'defense wins championships,' and that certainly was true for Michigan back in 2023. While the offense wasn't something to scoff at, the true strength of that team was the defense, which was able to silence TCU and Washington, two hot teams coming into the 2023 College Football Playoff.

In the two seasons since that championship win, Michigan's strength continues to lie on that side of the ball, as the offense has really fallen from grace. There is hope that quarterback Bryce Underwood will be able to bring the offense back from the brink this season, but the defense is the one group that no one is worried about, especially with new defensive coordinator Jay Hill.

So, as preseason rankings for teams, position groups, and the offensive and defensive side of the ball start to trickle in, Michigan should at least see the defense and its position groups on quite a few, right? Wrong. On3's J.D. Pickell, who already gave Michigan a lazy 2026 game prediction, has snubbed Michigan from his top 10 defenses in college football list.

Jay Hill's change to Michigan's defense could make it even scarier for opposing offenses

Pickell is going to regret his rankings when the Michigan defense comes out and dominates opposing offenses. I am not sitting here saying Michigan should have been No.1 on the list, but the Wolverines deserved to be at least in the top 10.

It makes sense that there are probably some reservations about Michigan as a whole this season, even with the defense. Jay Hill is taking over as defensive coordinator under head coach Kyle Whittingham, but it's not like he is some scrub. He is coming from a very strong BYU team, one that Whittingham had to deal with the last two seasons in the Big 12.

Hill is coming in and making some changes defensively, but believe it or not, it could be the Wolverines even stronger. Hill has opted to move to a 4-2-5 nickel base scheme, which will emphasize a strong secondary, something Michigan certainly has. It will take some pressure off the linebackers, which will be a very inexperienced unit this season, but still have a strong pass-rushing front.

The defensive backfield will be the anchor for Michigan in 2026, which is exactly what fans will be happy to see. With the return of safety Rod Moore, his experience in the secondary will make him the perfect leader in this type of defensive scheme. Moore will be joined by fellow safety Chris Bracy, a Memphis transfer, cornerbacks Jyire Hill, Zeke Berry, and Utah transfer Smith Snowden.

With a great group of athletic defensive backs, Hill knows he will be able to drop back in coverage and allow the defensive line to do the dirty work up front. The linebackers will have to be quick and move fast in zone looks to fill the gaps, but with an inexperienced linebacker core, this is a great defensive scheme to take pressure off of what is probably the weakest link on the defense.

This is a Michigan defense that has always been strong. With Whittingham and Hill leading the way, it could get even better as the season goes on, rivaling teams like Oregon, Ohio State, Iowa, and Indiana, who did make this list and will face the Wolverines this season.

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