The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1298950
NOVEMBER 2020 THE WOLVERINE 35 THREE BEST DEFENSES 1. Ohio State (Dec. 12) Ohio State's defense engineered a miraculous turnaround from 2018 to 2019, going from 71st nationally in yards allowed per game to first. Co-de- fensive coordinator Jeff Hafley was the primary reason for the improvement, but left in December to take the Boston College head coaching job. Even with Hafley no longer in town, it's still fair to expect the Buckeyes to finish near the top of the nation in defense once again. OSU's defensive line is led by sev- eral experienced veterans in fifth-year senior Jonathan Cooper, and juniors Tommy Togiai and Tyreke Smith — all are former top-100 recruits. The same can be said for its line- backing unit with fifth-year senior Tuf Borland and senior Pete Werner, both All-Big Ten honorable mentions a year ago, leading the way. Redshirt junior Shaun Wade headlines the secondary and is viewed as one of the best corner- backs in the nation. 2. Wisconsin (Nov. 14) The Badgers have finished in the top 30 nationally in total defense in each of coordinator Jim Leonhard's three seasons on the job, and in the top four in both 2017 and 2019. This season should be more of the same. The front seven is loaded with key veterans who have produced in the past, specifically fifth-year senior de- fensive linemen Isaiahh Loudermilk and Garrett Rand, fifth-year senior linebacker Noah Burks and junior linebacker Jack Sanborn. That quartet combined for 167 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, four interceptions and four forced fumbles last fall. The storyline is much of the same for a secondary that finished 12th nationally in 2019 for passing yards allowed per game (187.4). Wiscon- sin's defensive backfield will also receive a boost from the return of redshirt junior safety Scott Nelson, who missed all but one game last year due to injury. 3. Penn State (Nov. 28) The Nittany Lions are expected to field one of the Big Ten's best defenses in 2020, even with junior first-team All-America linebacker Micah Parsons opting out. His departure leaves the linebacking unit with some question marks, but the other defensive units are in phenomenal shape. Three experienced and proven se- niors are expected to earn starting roles in the secondary in safeties Lamont Wade and Jaquan Brisker, plus corner- back Tariq Castro-Fields. It's similar up front, where fifth-year senior defensive end Shaka Toney (6.5 sacks last year) will headline the line following Yetur Gross-Matos' early exit to the NFL. ❏ Wisconsin junior linebacker Jack Sanborn was named a third-team preseason All-American by Pro Football Focus, after he led the Badgers with 80 tackles last season. PHOTO COURTESY WISCONSIN ATHLETICS 2020 MICHIGAN SCHEDULE Date Opponent (TV) Time (ET) Oct. 24 at Minnesota (ABC) 7:30 pm Oct. 31 Michigan State TBA Nov. 7 at Indiana TBA Nov. 14 Wisconsin TBA Nov. 21 at Rutgers TBA Nov. 28 Penn State TBA Dec. 5 Maryland TBA Dec. 12 at Ohio State (FOX) 12 pm Dec. 19 Big Ten Champions Week TBA MICHIGAN'S POSTSEASON BOWL PROJECTIONS Outlet (Date) Bowl Projection Opponent CBS Sports (Oct. 11) Outback Bowl Mississippi USA Today (Oct. 13) Citrus Bowl Texas A&M ESPN's Mark Schlabach (Oct. 11) Fiesta Bowl Oregon ESPN's Kyle Bonagura (Oct. 11) Outback Bowl Auburn