Advertisement
football Edit

Where Michigan Ranks In The Nation's Most Important Statistical Categories

Don't miss out on any of our exclusive football, basketball and recruiting coverage. Click here to get your 30-day free trial!

Michigan faces Ohio State next Saturday at noon on FOX.
Michigan faces Ohio State next Saturday at noon on FOX. (AP Images)
Advertisement

Here's a look at where Michigan ranks in several of the nation's most important statistical categories after 12 weeks of action. The Wolverines' national rank is listed first below.

Note: there are 130 teams in the FBS.

Offensive statistics

Points per game: 82nd (26.3)
Rushing yards per game: 35th (194.1)
Passing yards per game: 112th (166.2)
Yards per game: 101st (360.4)
First downs per game: 109th (17.6)
Sacks allowed: 104th (29)
Tackles for loss allowed: 102nd (72)

Special teams statistics

Average yards per punt return: 63rd (7.4)
Average yards per kick return: 100th (19.4)
Average yards per punt return: 97th (39.8)
Field goal percentage: 61st (75%)
Third down conversion percentage: 113th (32.6%)
Red zone touchdown percentage: 105th (52.7%)

Defensive statistics

Points allowed per game: 11th (17.1)
Rushing yards allowed per game: 15th (116.8)
Passing yards allowed per game: 1st (144.4)
Yards allowed per game: 3rd (261.2)
Sacks: 6th (36)
Tackles for loss: 3rd (93)
Opponent first downs per game: 2nd (13.5)
Opponent third down conversion percentage: 1st (24.6%)
Opponent red zone touchdown percentage: 57th (57.6%)

Miscellaneous

Penalties per game: 91st (6.7)
Turnover margin: 71st (-1)

Observations

After allowing 182 rushing yards to Wisconsin, Michigan's rush defense statistics dropped from ninth to 15th nationally. This is the exact spot that the Wolverines finished last season (allowed 119 yards per game on the ground last year, and 116.8 so far in 2017).

— Although U-M surrendered 143 passing yards to Wisconsin on Saturday, it jumped from the second-best pass defense in the country to the best. The Maize and Blue overtook Air Force for the top spot, and have flip-flopped with the Falcons over the last few weeks.

— Michigan's penalty statistics continued to improve after it committed just four penalties against the Badgers. The Wolverines jumped from 96th nationally to 91st, and fell from seven penalties per game to 6.7.

---

• Talk about this article inside The Fort

Subscribe to our podcast on iTunes

• Learn more about our print and digital publication, The Wolverine

• Follow us on Twitter: @TheWolverineMag, @BSB_Wolverine, @JB_ Wolverine, @AustinFox42, @AndrewVcourt and @Balas_Wolverine

• Like us on Facebook

Advertisement