Michigan Wolverines Football: U-M's Defense Now Ranks As The Nation's Best

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We take a look at where Michigan ranks in all of the nation's most important statistical categories following its 20-17 comeback win over Northwestern this weekend.

Note: there are 130 teams in the FBS.

Points per game: 34th (37.4)

Rushing yards per game: 36th (205.6)

Passing yards per game: 91st (206.2)

Offensive yards per game: 68th (411.8)

First downs per game: 86th (20.2)

Turnovers lost: 17th (4)

Third down conversion percentage: 31st (45.5%)

Red zone touchdown percentage: 55th (66.6%)

Tackles for loss allowed per game: 39th (5.2)

Sacks allowed per game: 48th (1.6)

Points allowed per game: 11th (14.8)

Yards allowed per game: 1st (232.6)

Rushing yards allowed per game: 7th (86.4)

Passing yards allowed per game: 4th (146.2)

First downs allowed per game: 29th (17.4)

Turnovers gained: 97th (5)

Sacks per game: 15th (3.2)

Tackles for loss per game: 5th (9.4)

Opponent third down conversion percentage: 38th (33.3%)

Average yards per punt return: 64th (9)

Average yards per kick return: 44th (22.8)

Average yards per punt: 3rd (52)

Field goal percentage: 29th (85.7%)

Penalties per game: 121st (9.2)

Turnover margin: 51st (+1)

• Michigan continues to take care of the ball this season, and is now up to 17th nationally (four lost on the year) in fewest turnovers after not after not committing one on Saturday. The Wolverines jumped 10 spots in that department, and the only two Big Ten teams who have committed fewer this year are Maryland and Ohio State (three each).

• After surrendering just 202 yards of offense to Northwestern, Michigan's defense now ranks as the nation's best, yielding just 232.6 per game. In fact, U-M's defense is statistically 67.7 yards better than any other unit in the Big Ten, with Minnesota checking in next at 300.3 yards allowed per game.

• One negative surrounding the defense, though, is that it does not force many turnovers. The unit's five takeaways on the year rank 97th nationally, after they did not gain one on Saturday.

• Michigan went from a mediocre sack team in the statistics (45th) to one of the nation's best (15th) after it recorded six on Saturday.

• The Wolverines' penalty issues continue to intensify after they committed 11 this weekend, and now rank 121st nationally (9.2 per contest).

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