Jim Harbaugh assesses how Michigan defense has performed compared to expectations

During his time at Michigan, head coach Jim Harbaugh has had consistently great defenses. Then, thanks to the pass rush, the 2021 Michigan defense was strong enough to help bring the Wolverines to the College Football Playoff. However, thanks to players graduating and moving on to the NFL, there was some thought that Michigan would regress. However, that hasn’t really happened to this point.

While speaking to the media, Jim Harbaugh was asked if he thinks his defense has performed compared to the expectations for them.

“We didn’t really put a limit on the expectations,” Jim Harbaugh said. “We thought that our defense could be really good. Had the license and the ability to be an outstanding defense.”

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“At the time, I said that [it is] called the no-name defense. In some ways, there were guys at each position who were competing to make a name for themselves, and I think that’s transpired. Playing great team defense. Each position group is really playing outstanding and they’re playing outstanding together.”

It would be hard not to be happy with the Michigan defense to this point in the season. At the same time, the Wolverines’ biggest test against Ohio State still waits on the horizon.

Boo Corrigan compared Michigan and Ohio State

Boo Corrigan, who is the CFP committee chair, explained what the committee sees as the difference between Michigan and Ohio State when they rank the two. It comes down to the schedule.

“Again, we put them up and we talked about each team individually. We talk about them in groupings to make sure that we’ve got it in the right area or in the right spot as we go through this. The win over Rutgers this weekend, the second half in particular, the way that they played. They’ve done a good job of pulling away from teams,” Corrigan said.

“You look at Ohio State, they both have the win over Penn State, but Ohio State has that win over Notre Dame. Both have top-10 scoring offenses, top-10 scoring defenses and we’re going to continue to evaluate it as we move forward. … That non-conference schedule from Michigan has been a factor.”