Less than two weeks ago, the No. 18 Michigan football team’s secondary was thoroughly picked apart by No. 1 Texas. From missed tackles to soft coverage to third-down collapses, the Wolverines’ defensive weaknesses were put on full display as they succumbed to the Longhorns’ star-studded offense.
Of course, Texas is one of the best teams in the country. But even against non-Power Four opponents in Fresno State and Arkansas State, Michigan’s secondary still struggled. Through three weeks, the Wolverines have allowed 234 passing yards per game, ranking 79th out of 134 total FBS teams.
This weekend, Michigan’s defensive backs are in for another serious challenge against No. 11 Southern California — an offense way closer in caliber to the Longhorns than the Bulldogs or Red Wolves.
“I think what (USC coach Lincoln Riley) does really good is get the ball in his playmakers’ hands,” Michigan defensive backs coach LaMar Morgan said Wednesday. “He can see whatever covers you’re doing. He knows what he needs to get to. When you change it, he’ll go back to it. He runs repeat plays. I just think they’re doing a really good job of just spreading the ball around.”
Indeed, the Trojans’ receiving corps has no shortage of playmakers, making it easy for USC’s Miller Moss — who Morgan called “one of the best quarterbacks in the country” — to spread the ball around. Notably, Zachariah Branch is widely considered the Trojans’ best receiver, but he ranks fourth on the team in total receiving yards.
For the Wolverines’ secondary, that means slowing down just Branch — or one of USC’s other leading pass-catchers — is only a small step toward stifling the Trojans’ entire passing attack.
But locking down receivers across the board hasn’t been Michigan’s strong suit thus far. Preseason All-American junior cornerback Will Johnson is one of the best defensive backs in the nation, but the Wolverines have struggled to build a consistent unit around him. Sophomore cornerback Jyaire Hill, who occupies the starting role opposite Johnson, is facing some growing pains as a first-year starter.
“I think always at a corner position, you got to get experience, and (Hill is) getting on-the-job training,” Morgan said. “I think he’s been trying to work harder, just trying to get better each and every day at practice.”
In addition to Johnson and Hill, graduate cornerback Aamir Hall has appeared in all three games thus far, recording six total tackles and two pass breakups. A transfer from Albany, Hall is described by Morgan as a blue-collar hard worker who leaves no stone unturned during his game preparation.
Before every matchup, Morgan and the Wolverines’ coaching staff give players a weekly quiz on different plays, motions and communications. Hall routinely passes with flying colors, a testament to the level of work he puts in during the week. Morgan even said Hall’s quiz responses look like Morgan himself could’ve written them.
Despite that intense preparation, Michigan’s secondary is still working toward executing at that high level come Saturdays. As the Wolverines look to find a consistent rhythm, the impact of senior safety Rod Moore’s long-term injury is especially starting to show. In his absence, graduate safeties Makari Paige and Quentin Johnson are trying to shoulder the load and fill in as leaders of the defense.
“One of the unique traits of safety is making everybody calm around you,” Morgan said. “I think that’s something where Makari and (Quentin) and those guys are trying to take over those footsteps.”
With another high-powered passing offense coming to town this weekend, the pressure is once again on Michigan’s secondary as the Wolverines attempt to contain Riley, Moss and USC’s dangerous array of weapons.
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