Mailbag Question:

Hi fellas,

Thought our defense played well against the run for the entire game against Wisconsin, and got a decent pass rush at times. All I can say, though, is thank goodness for an inexperienced QB, dropped balls by receivers and a lack of any semblance of a passing game by UW, because I think our pass defense is our greatest weakness. This showed especially in the first half against ND where we were absolutely torched a few times, and against Utah where our intermediate coverage was picked apart and poor drops by linebackers. Even though Wisconsin didn't pick on our deep and intermediate coverage too much (except for that last drive),

1) Did you guys see much of an improvement in our pass coverage in the Wisconsin game?
Facing a team next week with an experienced (though sometimes inconsistent) Quarterback with a strong arm who can make all the throws in addition to a great receiver in Benn,

2) How do you think our pass defense will fare?
Seeing as though they also have a strong running game as well,

3) What kind of looks do you think we will show on defense? Do you think we will ease into a lot of cover 2, or stick with the aggressive blitz scheme that often forces a lot of zone drops by the linebackers and one on one or zone coverage in the secondary?

4) Who do you think they will pick on?

5) Who needs to have a good game defensively for us to win against Illinois?
I'm concerned. Care to alleviate my fears?

Thanks guys,
Greg

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Thanks for the questions.

1) Yes, we thought coverage was much better in the second half. In addition, we agree that at least part of that was due to incompetence by Wisconsin. Biggest improvement, in our opinion, was with the safeties.

2) If Michigan can get consistent pressure, the secondary should continue to improve. The secondary is also using a completely different scheme. In addition, we should see some improvement from week to week.

3) Michigan will mix coverage and looks. We will see them running a combination of cover 2 and 4. We also expect Michigan to continue using some zone blitz schemes.

4) We expect Illinois to make Michigan’s linebackers to play and cover in space. We expect Illinois to go to work on the linebackers first, and then move on to the safeties.

5) The front four needs to play their best game both stopping the run and pressuring the quarterback. The area that concerns us is maintaining outside leverage. Michigan’s perimeter players, defensive ends and outside linebackers have to maintain contain. If you keep spread offenses between the hashes, they are much easier to defend.

written by CoachBt and ErocWolverine