Jesse Minter speaks on challenge of Washington offense: 'This is a whole other animal'
HOUSTON, Texas – Michigan Wolverines defensive coordinator Jesse Minter spoke at College Football Playoff National Championship Game media day on Saturday afternoon as his squad puts the finishing touches on its Washington prep.
The Huskies come into the game as the best passing team in the country, headlined by the play of Heisman Trophy runner-up Michael Penix Jr. and averaging 350 yards per game through the air. Prior to this game, the highest-ranked passing offense Michigan had seen was Maryland, which ranks 21st in the nation at 278.9 yards per contest.
Michigan’s secondary will have its hands full, but Minter and company have plenty of confidence coming off its best coverage performance of the season against Alabama in the Rose Bowl.
“As a whole, our pass rush and our coverage played at a high level,” Minter told The Wolverine in Houston. “We eliminated all the deep plays, which we were very fearful of, so we had tight coverage. We played some zone where the guys did a really good job capping off the vertical shots. The rush and coverage worked hand in hand, so they knew the types of plays where the ball might get out fast, and then they knew the types of plays where they may have some time.
“Rod [Moore] did a great job on a shot 50 yards downfield being stride for stride and almost making an interception. Will did a great job on a double move. just thought we had great, great coverage. The guys played disciplined, played fast did a great job, I feel.”
Michigan was able to cap the big-play ability of an Alabama offense that loves to take its shots down the field. Washington is several levels more intense than that, but Minter feels like a strong coverage performance can work as a springboard into Monday’s title bout.
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“I think anytime you play well, you continue to build confidence,” Minter said. “So I think [for this game], I think our guys trust each other. The DBs have confidence that we can get pressure. The front guys have confidence that we can cover. This is a whole other animal with their passing game and their shots and their ability to get the ball in space and use the whole field and perimeter. So while Alabama was at times physical and downhill, followed by deep shots, these guys kind of use the whole field. They make you defend the whole width of the field and the whole length of the field.
But it’s a challenge we are looking forward to.
During his podium session, Minter also raved about the ability of Washington star wide receiver Rome Odunze and his connection with Penix. Odunze is considered one of the best wide receivers in the 2024 NFL Draft class and is pushing for WR2 status behind OSU’s Marvin Harrison Jr.
“I think he can make those contested catches that separates him,” Minter said. “He has a great skill set. He is big. He is fast. He runs really good routes, but he very rarely doesn’t come down with the ball in the contested catch opportunities.
Part of that’s Penix, where he puts the ball. He does a great job throwing the back shoulders and putting the ball where the defender can’t quite get there. His ability to make those key plays when he has tight coverage, I would say, is what makes him such a great player.
