The best thing about the defense this year is that they have not given up as many big plays this year but they are definitely a couple of steps behind the offense. They are still getting gashed for way too many yards. I’d like them to go back to more 4 man fronts. I think Van Bergen is much more effective when in space and I think Graham would be able to run free quite a bit more. Sagesse and Campbell have played well, I feel, when they have gotten on the field.
The defensive recruiting has been behind that of the offense for more than a few years now. I like Robinson as the DC but Gibson is very suspect as a db coach and I’m wondering if the problem with the lb’s is Hopson and/or the recruiting. Guys like Ezeh and Mouton seemed to have regressed and Demens and JB Fitzgerald have not emerged at all. The two lb spots that have been bright spots have been reclaimation project Stevie Brown and freshman Craig Roh. Brown seems to have found a home after being most UM fans’ goat at safety for three years. These two are coached by Robinson while OE and Mouton are coached by Hopson. Recruiting of the lb’s has been pretty weak, though, in my opinion.
As inconsistent as Cissoko has been, to be fair he’s been injured and now they move Woolfolk back to cb since they don’t, apparently, feel that Floyd is not the immediate (nor possibly long term?) answer there. I really thought Justin Turner would have been used by now but they don’t want to burn his redshirt.
To be sure, and I say this as UM fan, the 4-1 record is a bit misleading as Tate has been responsible for, just as you say, at least two wins.
They should get tested, again, tonight against Iowa. Carlos Brown is out but supposedly Minor is now back close to full strength.