Michigan defense reemphasizing its pillars ahead of USC matchup

The Michigan football team’s defensive pillars often come up in conversation. When the Wolverines are playing well, they attribute their success to hitting all of their pillars. And when they struggle, they point to whichever pillar they failed to execute to explain the issues.

Three games into the season, Michigan has been somewhat inconsistent delivering on its four pillars. The Wolverines have found the most success in ‘block destruction’ and ‘ball disruption,’ especially in limiting the run. They’ve allowed 210 rushing yards, holding opponents to a 2.7 average per attempt. And although Michigan’s defense hasn’t made too many highlight-reel plays — it has a respectable four total sacks and 14 tackles for loss — it’s managed to bring solid pressure much of the time.

“We haven’t made huge, crazy plays, as everyone’s seen, but we’ve been playing within the defense, doing our job,” junior defensive tackle Mason Graham said Tuesday. “Especially on the rushing, we only gave up so many rushing yards this season, so that’s something we’re trying to keep on getting better at. But it’s just fine-tuning the details.”

Facing the impressive Southern California offense on Saturday, the Wolverines will need to maintain their success limiting the run and improve their pass defense. The Trojans have displayed a solid rushing game in their two games this season, but their passing game is their forte. They have over three times as many pass yards as rush yards, so Michigan will need to up its game.

Graham attributed the long gains the Wolverines have allowed — some rushing but most through the air — to tackling struggles. Michigan has particularly struggled on third downs, allowing a 41.3% conversion rate.

“I think a lot of the third downs we punch ourselves in the mouth,” Graham said. “(In) longer situations, especially in the Texas game, we missed a few tackles, they got first downs, and they’re able to get back on track.”

Third downs killed the Wolverines against Texas, and they will be just as important against USC’s potent passing offense. Graham went right back to the pillars when discussing the tackling issues, attributing the struggles to Michigan’s failure executing the ‘shocking effort’ pillar. 

“One of the pillars that I think we need to do better at is the effort and angles,” Graham said. “That’s kind of just like the fundamentals of just getting to the football, taking the proper angles, tackling in space. We kind of missed a few tackles in open space that led to bigger plays that developed drives. I feel like that’s something we could work on.”

Increasing effort will undoubtedly affect all areas of the Wolverines’ defensive game. And so will improving the final pillar: ‘obnoxious communication.’

Communication was the pillar sophomore edge rusher Cameron Brandt mentioned the most on Tuesday. He said improved communication would help Michigan on third downs, help it slow down the Trojans and help its overall chemistry on the field.

“If everyone’s on the same level, everyone knows what we’re doing, even if we’re all wrong, we’re all right because we are on the same page,” Brandt said. “I feel like it’s always going to be a big thing for us just making sure we’re communicating as a whole.”

The pillars have long been the Wolverines’ go-to guide for success. That’s why Michigan players talk about them so much — they know that when they execute their pillars, they find success on the field.

The post Michigan defense reemphasizing its pillars ahead of USC matchup appeared first on The Michigan Daily.


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