ANN ARBOR, Mich. – No. 18-ranked Michigan Wolverines defensive coordinator Jay Hill is pleased with his defense’s progress through three games, but he knows it still has issues to fix before Big Ten play begins.
Hill said Thursday (Sept. 24) that Michigan has been dominant at times, particularly along the defensive line, while its coverage has been strong for much of the season.
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But three touchdowns allowed in three games have all come on blown coverages, something Hill called uncharacteristic for the defense.
“We do have some things to clean up right now,” Hill said. “We’ve given up three touchdowns in three games, but all three of them are off blown coverages.”
Hill said the Wolverines also need to improve their gap integrity in the run game and avoid allowing mistakes to become costly plays.
“We’ve done a good job for the most part of getting out of drives,” Hill said. “I think we’ve been very dominant at times, like swarming at times.”
Linebackers exceeding expectations
One of the biggest positives for Michigan has been the play of its linebackers.
Hill said the group has progressed faster than expected while handling more of the defensive package than he anticipated at this point in the season.
“I think they’re playing beyond what anyone really expected at this point,” Hill said.
Hill singled out Troy Bowles for his physical style and intelligence, calling him a “little missile” on the field.
He also praised the development of Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng, Nathaniel Staehling, Chase Taylor, Aisea Moa and Max Alford.
Hill said the linebackers now face their biggest physical test of the season against Iowa’s running game.
Michigan comfortable playing man coverage
Hill said Michigan has played roughly 50% man coverage through three games, a heavier man approach than he used at BYU but similar to his time at Utah and Weber State.
The Wolverines’ confidence in their cornerbacks allows them to use more man coverage, but Hill said the defensive approach changes based on the opponent.
“We change every week,” Hill said. “It’s just going to change from week to week based on what we feel we need to do to put the players in position to be successful.”
Hill pointed to Michigan’s game against Oklahoma as an example.
While the Wolverines appeared to play significant amounts of man coverage, he said the defense also used combination coverages and zone concepts designed to confuse the quarterback.
Iowa quarterback Hank Brown presents new challenge
Iowa has settled on Hank Brown as its starting quarterback, and Hill said the Michigan defense will have to find ways to disrupt his rhythm.
Brown has thrown the ball on time, shown good pocket presence, and has benefited from strong protection, according to Hill.
“He throws a good ball. He throws the ball on time,” Hill said.
Brown has not been sacked or intercepted through Iowa’s first three games, Hill said.
Michigan’s goal will be to get Brown off his spot, speed up his decision-making and change its secondary looks.
Physical matchup awaits
Hill expects Saturday’s game against Iowa to be a highly physical matchup.
“The most physical, most prepared team will win,” Hill said.
Michigan will need to stop Iowa’s running game while also preventing explosive plays through the air.
Hill said he embraces both aspects of the challenge, joking that as a former defensive back, he enjoys games where opponents want to throw the ball.
“But you better stop the pass, too, because you can’t give up a couple cheap ones down the field,” Hill said.
Turnovers remain an area of emphasis
Michigan has not forced as many turnovers as Hill is accustomed to seeing from his defenses.
He pointed to his previous defenses at BYU, which produced a high number of interceptions over the past two seasons, and said he expects turnovers to eventually come.
“Sometimes you don’t have very many and then all of a sudden you have four or five games where you get three or four in each game,” Hill said.
Against Iowa, Hill said winning the turnover and field-position battles will be particularly important.
Defensive line continues to provide depth
Hill also praised Michigan’s defensive end group, saying the Wolverines have multiple players they trust to contribute.
He credited defensive line coach Lewis Powell with developing the entire group and said younger players will continue to receive opportunities.
“We’re going to need all those guys,” Hill said.
Defense chasing standard set by 2023 team
Hill has previously pointed to Michigan’s 2023 national championship defense as a standard for the current unit.
He said the current defense has incorporated some similar pressure and coverage concepts, but the bigger goal is to match the consistency of that group.
Michigan has already shown flashes of that potential, Hill said, including holding Oklahoma to 10 points and producing a stretch last week in which the Wolverines recorded five consecutive three-and-outs while allowing minus-10 yards across five drives.
“There’s been glimpses of what we’re trying to become,” Hill said. “We just got to keep progressing to where we want to be.”
Veteran safety Rod Moore also provides a connection to that championship era.
Hill called Moore one of Michigan’s best leaders and said his experience as a national champion can help the current defense.
As Michigan enters Big Ten play, Hill said the defense has handled adversity well but still has work to do.
“We’ve had stretches where we look exactly the way we want to look,” Hill said. “We’ve got things we got to work on.”
