Some defensive stats
We are up to a Top 30 level in pass efficiency defense, second in the nation in interceptions. We are also getting after the QB - we have the same rate of sacks/g (2.5) as last year. Traore is on pace for 11 on his own.
I think over-indexing to rushing defense at the expense of pass defense is a mistake but it is worth mentioning that our YPC allowed is a full half yard better this year than last. I know the read-based style for the LBs (rather than crash based under Golden) has been unpleasant to watch but it does seem to be putting a lid on opponent run schemes pretty well.
USC is going to represent a great test. As Riley has shown many times (including last night) he's a dangerous guy to play chess with. Sometimes you can get him (like we did in 2023) and sometimes he gets you bad (like he got us on 2022) but you can also decide to play checkers and never move your back row. If Ash can keep SC's score in the 20s it will be really encouraging
USC will be a tough out --
offensively, they have a lot of ways to hurt you.
As to their defense, I don't know. I didn't realize that Michigan's offense was putrid as it is until last night. Their QB short hops guys 6 yards away. His best throws are when he's flushed out of the pocket. But they self-destruct on drives all the time.
It's hard to evaluate their season statistics because they beat two opening cupcakes by a combined 99 points. Purdue gave them a little more trouble that they did ND. But they'll move the ball.
The Michigan QB is like a stiff Caleb Williams
He has a tremendously live arm but doesn't seem to be terribly athletic and doesn't display much playmaking creativity. I'll be interested to see how it all plays out for him. I think a guy like Carr will be much harder for USC to defend as he can actually read and improvise
I have no idea what Michigan is doing on offense
by HumanRobot 
, Cybertron, Sunday, October 12, 2025, 10:03 (2 days ago) @ Mike (bart)
Also doesn’t help that Underwood can’t read the field
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Freeman's got so much riz they need to call him Aura Parseghian
I was expecting
by Jeff (BGS) , A starter home in suburban Tempe, Monday, October 13, 2025, 11:04 (1 day, 2 hours, 3 min. ago) @ HumanRobot
And I don’t think they do either.
(Sorry, the wound is still too fresh)
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At night, the ice weasels come.