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3 things holding back Michigan football defense from being elite

What's holding back on Michigan football on defense?

By Cullen Corr

Sep 7, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Texas Longhorns running back Quintrevion Wisner (26) is tackled by Michigan Wolverines defensive back Makari Paige (7) in the first half at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Sep 7, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Texas Longhorns running back Quintrevion Wisner (26) is tackled by Michigan Wolverines defensive back Makari Paige (7) in the first half at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images / Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
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Missed Tackling

There was another side to the explosive plays for Texas as well and that was missed tackles. Sherrone Moore touched on this in his postgame press conference, but Texas gained 135 yards after contact. If Michigan football just cleaned this up that leads to Michigan actually outgaining Texas, and likely a completely different ball game.

This one really comes as a surprise given how fundamentally sound Michigan's defense usually is. It's also surprising given how physical Michigan likes to run their practices. I'm not sure if Wink Martindale, again coming from the NFL where it is usually taken for granted, just isn't spending enough time on it or if it's just due to inexperience. But this is crucial to the style of football Michigan wants to play and it has to get cleaned up fast.

Final Thoughts

The good news for Michigan is that a lot of this is very fixable. Talented young players will get more reliable with more in game experience, assignment errors will be cleaned up, and tackling will improve with practice.

Texas is also just a good team with a lot of experience, particularly on offense. Quinn Ewers looked like a legitimate #1 overall pick and I would expect Texas to put up over 30 points in nearly every game they play this year. But this is the level Michigan was at last year and despite losing eight starters on defense from a year ago, it's frustrating to watch Texas make us look like a Big XII defense -- not good.

Really, a lot of things that we knew would be potential weaknesses coming into the year turned out to be so. I think it really comes down to young guys needing to get experience and a really talented NFL defensive coordinator adjusting to the college game again for the first time in over 20 years.

Michigan isn't that far off. Like I said, they had times when they were getting the better of Texas. But it's consistency and capitalizing on opportunities need to improve. They have the talent, they just need the experience.

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