Scouting Michigan’s Defense
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Formations/Philosophy
The hiring of Mike Macdonald – a 34-year-old sporting a coaching resume with experience at every level of football (high school, college, NFL) despite never advancing to anything above a position coach at any of those levels – as Michigan’s new Defensive Coordinator was probably the most criticized move during Jim Harbaugh’s offseason re-shuffling of Titanic deckchairs…but, man, it’s worked out, huh?
Heading into this weekend’s showdown vs. Penn State, the Wolverines rank 6th nationally in Scoring Defense and are graded as the 3rd best Pass Rush, according the PFF.
So, how the heck has the relatively green, non-capitalized ‘D’ Macdonald, pulled this off?
Well, he didn’t get too cute, for starters. A lot of Macdonald’s philosophies and tendencies are just borrowed concepts from his seven-year stint with the Baltimore Ravens…with a sprinkling of his own flare to it. Technically, Michigan is a base 3-4 defense – a shift that’s breathed new life into several 4-star big-bodied, block-eating DTs that never really found a home on Don Brown’s undersize 4-man defensive fronts – but you’re going to see multiple formations and unique personnel packages.
For instance:
Count with us…(mumbles under breath) that’s 6 defensive linemen – 15-Chris Hinton (310 pounds), 58-Mazi Smith (326 pounds), 90-Mike Morris (278 pounds), 94-Kris Jenkins (275 pounds), 96-Julius Welschof (288 pounds), and 97-Aidan Hutchinson (265 pounds). Michigan featured this unique look roughly half-a-dozen snaps vs. Sparty, a wrinkle designed to plug gaps in the MSU running game. And if you were one of the 9.8 million viewers who watched this game, well, you know that wrinkle didn’t work.
Considering the roaring dumpster fire that is Penn State’s rushing attack, don’t expect to see much added beef upfront this Saturday from Michigan.
Instead, expect looks like this:
On this play, the Wolverines show a 2-4-5 look (DT, DT, OLB, LB, LB, OLB), a formation that allows the defense to keep a Nickel defender on the field while also having enough mass up front to handle the A and B gaps, not leaving themselves exposed against interior runs.
This next clip features Michigan in the more traditional 3-4 look with a nose tackle substituted in for the DB. Here the NT is responsible for two run gaps to the right and left of the center.
The traditional 3-4 combats heavier offensive looks but also allows edge rushers – the strength of Michigan’s roster – to take advantage of one-on-one pass protection. When Macdonald goes to sleep Friday night, visions of 3rd and 6 and 3rd and 8 will dance in his head, because Michigan feasts on surefire passing downs and does a fantastic job confusing quarterbacks and offensive linemen by disguising pressure and zone dropping lineman, as seen here:
Lastly, unlike stubborn former DC Don Brown who ran what he ran regardless of personnel strengths and weaknesses, Macdonald has protected his serviceable but not specular secondary by mixing coverages and playing much more zone that the 2016-2020 Michigan defenses.
Players To Watch
97-AIDAN HUTCHINSON, DEFENSIVE END
So, yeah, he’s pretty good.
Regarded as the best edge rusher in the country, this soon-to-be multi-millionaire is equally terrorizing in both run defense and pass defense. Note: Hutchinson was injured and didn’t play against Penn State in 2020. He currently is PFF’s highest graded edge rusher (93.6) and can win in a multitude of ways – outside speed, inside strength, great bend and (cliché alert) a motor that never quits. Hutchinson has a full understanding of how use of his hands and consistently wins leverage against opposing tackles quickly.
That same hand usage helps him greatly in run defense, too — setting the edge, always staying disciplined on outside runs.
Here, Hutchinson holds his ground against a rather uninspired block by the MSU LT and forces 9-Kenneth Walker III to bounce backside into the waiting long arms of 55-David Ojabo.
Really, our only knock against Hutchinson is more of a knock against Macdonald’s scheme vs. Sparty – that occasionally in the aforementioned 6 DL looks, Hutchinson’s pass rushing ability was neutralized because he was asked to play pass defense like a linebacker…which is kind of like buying a Lamborghini to listen to AM radio. Yeah, you can do it, but that’s not the best way to utilize the luxury purchase.
55-DAVID OJABO, DEFENSIVE END
Michigan is fortunate to have two edge rushers that will be playing on Sundays soon. Like Hutchinson did in 2019, Ojabo has emerged this season as a player OC’s must gameplan around. Ojabo currently has an 80+ PFF grade in both pass rushing and run defense and is the 12th highest-graded edge rusher overall.
An athletic freak who must be accounted for on every play, Ojabo shows great use of hands especially at the point of attack in run defense and has proven to be strong enough to shed blockers and make tackles. He is very aggressive but smart and incredibly disciplined when teams try to threaten the outside.
Yes, on this play (below) Walker gets 9 yards…but at no fault of Ojabo’s. Despite surrendering 60 pounds to the right tackle, Ojabo holds the edge and sets up Michigan LB 12-Josh Ross for an easy tackle for no gain that he simply doesn’t make.
Ojabo’s pass rushing ability is a sight to behold. Not many players still use the spin move to win but Ojabo has the best spin move in college football. He’s also got speed, explosiveness, and gets upfield off the snap in an eye-blink.
2-BRAD HAWKINS, SAFETY/LINEBACKER
A versatile hybrid capable of moonlighting as a box linebacker or as a coverage safety, Hawkins has a natural knack for making plays. As a run defender, he’s incredibly instinctive and fast to read, trust his eyes, and react.
Though he’s an asset in the run game, Hawkins has also graded out as Michigan’s best defensive back in coverage on a per play basis. He’s the only Wolverine with an 80 PFF mark in pass coverage.
PSU’s Path to Success
Throw the ball. Shocker, I know.
Despite being uplifted by a top-shelf pass rush, Michigan’s defense has been susceptible to big plays through the air and vulnerable against up-tempo attacks.
Though Michigan State failed to surpass 200 yards passing, the Spartans were able to take advantage of man coverage at crucial moments (especially on 4th downs), testing the Wolverines’ backend communication.
Of course, to cause confusion you have to provide Sean Clifford enough time for the confusion to fully ferment, which is why Penn State might feature more 7 and even 8-man protections this game and hope/pray Jahan Dotson and Parker Washington can separate and find space downfield.
About up-tempo: for some reason Michigan repeatedly attempted to sub in new personnel even when Michigan State chose not to swap players, causing several comical scenes like this one with big-eaters frantically trying (and failing) to “sprint” on and off the field.
When/If Penn State wins on 1st down Saturday (2nd and 4’s, etc.,) expect OC Mike Yurcich to speed things up in hopes Michigan hasn’t learned its lesson.
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