Michigan finished with the best statistical defense in the country last year — 261.8 yards per game — but had to replace six starters at season’s end.
Despite all of the new faces in 2017, the Wolverines’ defense sits right where it finished last year — first.
Fifth-year senior linebacker Mike McCray gave his take as to why.
“In my eyes, we have the best defensive coaching staff in the nation,” he said. “They communicate well with each other and there’s not much yelling or arguing — we notice that from a players’ standpoint. We just listen to what they teach us, and it’s shown on the field.”
To say that it has “shown on the field” would be an understatement. The Maize and Blue are allowing an average of 3.5 points in the second half so far this season.
“Wow, I didn’t even realize that,” McCray laughed. “Finishing games, especially in the second half, is one of the things we talk about in the defensive meeting room. We’ve been doing a great job of that.”
Many have even begun to wonder if this year’s unit is even better than last year’s.
“Right now I’d say yes,” McCray observed. “It’s our second year in the system and everybody is more comfortable. We’re all out there having fun with each other and playing with a lot of confidence — we just do what we do.”
Although the excellent play of Michigan’s defense has caught several of the nation’s “experts” by surprise, the fifth-year senior said he’s not surprised in the least.
“A lot of the people playing now played a little bit last year too,” he explained. “I knew we’d be really good.”
Sophomore linebacker Devin Bush is one defender who fits the bill on McCray’s description.
“We laugh and joke all the time, and we have fun on the field as well,” the fifth-year senior said. “With me being the older guy, I see some things he doesn’t see. I learn from him as well, though, like the way he rushes the quarterback.”
Another scenario in which a younger player has worked well alongside a veteran has been at safety, where sophomore Josh Metellus and junior Tyree Kinnel have formed a dynamite duo.
McCray talked about not only how effective they’ve been, but also the leadership they’ve provided.
“Both our safeties — Tyree and Josh — take on a big role, because we have to have great communication back there,” he explained. “They’re like that on and off the field. If they make a mistake, they come over and talk about it with us — those two guys have been the biggest leaders back there.”
Michigan will need plenty of leadership on Saturday when it takes on Michigan State in the Big House. McCray talked about what he thinks the biggest challenge of that game will be.
“Not getting too overhyped,” he revealed. “Our defense is going to do what it does. Keeping our emotions in check might be the biggest challenge.
“Some people haven’t played here at night. The last time we did was against Penn State three years ago. We have to treat it like any other game.”
That will obviously be much easier said than done.
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