Linebackers
Edge: Michigan
Peppers’ hybrid role boosts Wolverines’ LB group
The mainstream opinion will be that Ohio State has the edge in this category due to the highly regarded Raekwon McMillan, but he’s had a bit of an uneven season and has been outplayed by teammate Jerome Baker, who has more solo tackles (27 to 24) and has yet to miss a tackle (McMillan has missed six). Baker has been the better of the two in coverage as well, as he has given up just five catches (on nine targets) for 24 yards and a QB rating against of just 21.3, while McMillan has a QB rating against of 111.9 (four catches yielded on seven targets, including a touchdown by Indiana).
This was without question the biggest area of concern for the Wolverines heading into the season, but both Ben Gedeon and Mike McCray have played well thus far. Gedeon’s 89.1 run defense grade is second-best in the country behind only the Ohio Bobcats’ Blair Brown, and McCray has graded well in all three phases while posting 10 pressures (three sacks) and a QB rating against of 42.1 in coverage.
As he is on offense, Peppers is the “cherry on top” of the Michigan linebacker corps. This isn’t meant to read that he is third-best of the group, as it is more commentary on the fact he has no real defined classification on the defense. While most outlets still list him at safety, he has played just 32 of his 331 defense snaps from either safety position, while 183 snaps have been from a variety of LB alignments. He has racked up 17 total defensive stops this season (seven against Colorado) and 13 total pressures.
Sometimes I wonder if the majority on here even watches the games. McMillan HAS NOT been playing well, and he needs to step up big time from here on out.
Edge: Michigan
Peppers’ hybrid role boosts Wolverines’ LB group
The mainstream opinion will be that Ohio State has the edge in this category due to the highly regarded Raekwon McMillan, but he’s had a bit of an uneven season and has been outplayed by teammate Jerome Baker, who has more solo tackles (27 to 24) and has yet to miss a tackle (McMillan has missed six). Baker has been the better of the two in coverage as well, as he has given up just five catches (on nine targets) for 24 yards and a QB rating against of just 21.3, while McMillan has a QB rating against of 111.9 (four catches yielded on seven targets, including a touchdown by Indiana).
This was without question the biggest area of concern for the Wolverines heading into the season, but both Ben Gedeon and Mike McCray have played well thus far. Gedeon’s 89.1 run defense grade is second-best in the country behind only the Ohio Bobcats’ Blair Brown, and McCray has graded well in all three phases while posting 10 pressures (three sacks) and a QB rating against of 42.1 in coverage.
As he is on offense, Peppers is the “cherry on top” of the Michigan linebacker corps. This isn’t meant to read that he is third-best of the group, as it is more commentary on the fact he has no real defined classification on the defense. While most outlets still list him at safety, he has played just 32 of his 331 defense snaps from either safety position, while 183 snaps have been from a variety of LB alignments. He has racked up 17 total defensive stops this season (seven against Colorado) and 13 total pressures.
Sometimes I wonder if the majority on here even watches the games. McMillan HAS NOT been playing well, and he needs to step up big time from here on out.
