For as well as Michigan’s defense finished the season, there were periods of choppiness scattered throughout. Anchored by a great defensive line and a star cornerback in Will Johnson, the defense was leaving much to be desired through its first nine games of the season, especially against high-powered passing attacks.
In the three seasons prior, we’d seen Michigan suffocate opposing offenses regardless of how strong they were, so it was out of character for the Wolverines to struggle like they did early on. The issues against the pass were particularly concerning. Johnson was solid as we’d expected, but he wasn’t able to cover the whole field himself.