Through 11 games of the 2015 season, Michigan opponents have entered the Wolverine red zone just 25 times, rounding out to roughly 2.3 times per game. In those 25 instances, opponents have scored eight touchdowns, 13 field goals and left empty-handed on four occasions.

In this edition of By the Numbers, we'll examine how Michigan's red-zone defense stacks up nationally and across the Big Ten, how its 2015 performance compares to teams of past and the potential effect of red-zone defense on overall scoring.

The 25 times Michigan has let opponents reach the 20-yard line ranks sixth nationally and is tied for second in the Big Ten (tied with Ohio State, behind Wisconsin).

Continuing at the current pace, reaching a number of about 29-32 attempts after U-M's final two (or three) games, the number will still be about 10 fewer than any season since 2006 (25).

When teams have reached the Michigan red zone, they've scored either a touchdown or field goal on 84.0 percent of trips (21 of 25), a number that ranks 65th in the nation.

However, U-M has been far better at keeping teams out of the endzone. Michigan ranks second in the nation and first in the Big Ten by only allowing the opposition touchdowns on 32.0 percent of red-zone attempts (8 of 25).

Additionally, the Wolverines have kept teams out of the end zone in 2015 far better than in recent years. Since 2008, when the statistic began to be recorded, the 32-percent mark is 13 percent better than any other season (2012).

Furthermore, how does red-zone defense affect overall scoring per season?

As shown in the chart, red-zone touchdown percentage (red) has a fairly strong correlation with points per game (yellow). In seven of the past eight seasons, an increase or decrease in red-zone TD scoring percentage has met a corresponding shift in scoring defense.

Moreover, in the four seasons where Michigan has allowed the lowest touchdown percentage (2011, 2012, 2014, 2015), opponents have averaged 18.6 points per game. In the four seasons allowing the highest touchdown percentage (2008, 2009, 2010, 2013), that number climbs to 29.6 points per game.

4 • Teams in the Big Ten that have featured the same starting five along the offensive line in all 11 games this year, including Michigan. The others are Ohio State, Rutgers and Illinois.

10 • Michigan's College Football Playoff committee ranking this week, the highest spot U-M has occupied since it began the 2012 season No. 8 against Alabama, and its highest ranking for the Ohio State game since the Wolverines were No. 2 in 2006.

21 • Players on the U-M roster from the state of Ohio, including starters LB Joe Bolden (Cincinnati), TE Jake Butt (Pickerington), DT Willie Henry (Cleveland), OL Kyle Kalis (Lakewood), RB De'Veon Smith (Warren), S Dymonte Thomas (Alliance), S Jarrod Wilson (Akron) and DE Chris Wormley (Toledo).

30.7 • yards per kickoff return Michigan is averaging this season. The single-season school record is 27.9 yards in 1940.

797 • Receiving yards produced by Michigan's tight ends this season, ranking this year's group second all time behind the 827 yards produced by tight ends in 1969 and ahead of the 739 yards tallied by tight ends in 1996.

Who do you think is Michigan's top target this season?

WR Jehu Chesson - 48 percent

TE Jake Butt - 41 percent

WR Amara Darboh - 11 percent

994 votes

The poll is posted every Sunday and is voted on by subscribers on The Fort.