Nation-best Michigan defense gets over sluggish start

Michigan defensive tackle Carlo Kemp said Big Ten teams are always tough competition. Angelique S. Chengelis, The Detroit News

(Photo: David Guralnick, Detroit News)Ann Arbor — The message from Michigan defensive coordinator Don Brown to his players at halftime of the Northwestern game, in which the Wolverines had trailed by 17, was simple.

Calm down and settle in.

There were adjustments to be made, of course, and those were in evidence as the Wolverines shut down Northwestern’s offense in the second half, ending five of the Wildcats’ six possessions with sacks while limiting them to 97 yards.

Michigan’s defense now is ranked No. 1 nationally, yielding an average 232.6 yards a game, as the…