No. 4 Michigan May Have Edge On D Against No. 10 Ohio State

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — No. 4 Michigan has the nation's top-ranked defense with NFL-caliber players at each position group and one of the game's best coordinators calling the shots.
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 17: Ronnie Walker Jr. #23 of the Indiana Hoosiers is tackled by Michigan Wolverines defense during a first half run at Michigan Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
The Wolverines, though, have not been tested as much as they will be by No. 10 Ohio State and quarterback Dwayne Haskins on Saturday in the Horseshoe. And they know this edition of The Game will define their season.
COLLEGE PARK, MD - NOVEMBER 17: Dwayne Haskins #7 of the Ohio State Buckeyes dives for a touchdown against the Maryland Terrapins during the second half at Capital One Field on November 17, 2018 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
"Everybody is going to remember what you did against Ohio State," defensive tackle Carlo Kemp said. "This game has huge implications. For us to go out there and continue the way we've been playing, that would be a statement."
Ohio State's defense, meanwhile, has uncharacteristically had a hard time stopping a lot of teams.
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - OCTOBER 20: Head coach Urban Meyer of the Ohio State Buckeyes is seen during the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium on October 20, 2018 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
The Buckeyes gave up a total of 100 points in a one-point, overtime win at Maryland and in a lopsided loss a month ago at Purdue. Losing standout Nick Bosa didn't help, but Ohio State has not found any consistent way to shut down teams.
EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 10: Dre'Mont Jones #86 of the Ohio State Buckeyes and Malik Harrison #39 celebrate after Jones recovered a fourth quarter fumble in the end zone for a touchdown while playing the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium on November 10, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
"I feel like things are just getting overplayed because the games are closer than what they're usually used to," Buckeyes defensive tackle Dre'Mont Jones said. "We don't have the same personnel like I've said before, so don't expect every game to be perfect. We're 10-1, not 1-10. We're winning good games. We've won against ranked teams. We're going to play up to our competition."
PISCATAWAY, NJ - NOVEMBER 10: Head coach Chris Ash (L) of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights shakes hands with Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines after the game at HighPoint.com Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Michigan won 42-7. (Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images)
Ohio State has won six straight in the rivalry, but in three wins against coach Jim Harbaugh has not had to defend a dual-threat quarterback anything like Shea Patterson, who is surrounded by talented skill players and a solid offensive line.
ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 13: Chase Winovich #15 of the Michigan Wolverines leaves the field celebrating a 38-13 victory over the Wisconsin Badgers on October 13, 2018 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Michigan may be without defensive end Chase Winovich because of a shoulder injury. If the defensive player of the year candidate can't play, the Wolverines have so much depth they may be able to overcome it just as they did when defensive tackle Rashan Gary missed three games last month with a shoulder injury.
ANN ARBOR, MI - SEPTEMBER 22: Adrian Martinez #2 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers is sacked by Devin Bush #10, Devin Gil #36 and Michael Dwumfour #50 of the Michigan Wolverines during the first half on September 22, 2018 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Assistant coach Greg Mattison said before the season started eight or nine players would merit playing time on the defensive line, and he wasn't exaggerating. The backups do their part, too: Despite being a reserve in every game, Josh Uche leads Michigan with seven sacks. The deep and talented front occupies offensive linemen, allowing linebackers such as Devin Bush to blitz quarterbacks or sprint sideline to sideline to make tackles.
EAST LANSING, MI - OCTOBER 29: Defensive Coordinator Don Brown reacts to a Michigan Wolverines goal line stance during the third quarter of the game against the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium on October 29, 2016 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan defeated Michigan State 32-23. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
Speedy and aggressive defensive backs are put in man-to-man coverage by defensive coordinator Don Brown, a candidate for the Broyles Award as college football's top assistant.
It all adds up to help Michigan lead the nation in yards allowed per game (234.8) and yards passing (123.2) while ranking fourth in points allowed (13.5).
ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 15: Nick Bosa #97 of the Ohio State Buckeyes lays on the field after being injured in the third quarter against the TCU Horned Frogs during The AdvoCare Showdown at AT&T Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
Ohio State's defense took a hit it hadn't recovered from when Bosa needed surgery for a core muscle injury after playing in three games this season. The defensive end decided to withdraw from school to focus on preparing for the NFL draft as a possible No. 1 pick.
The Buckeyes, who usually have stout defenses under coach Urban Meyer, have often looked lost when opponents have the ball. Players have been out of position at times, and when they are in the right spots, mental errors and poor tackling have hurt.
COLLEGE PARK, MD - NOVEMBER 17: Head coach Urban Meyer of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs on to the field with his team before playing against the Maryland Terrapins at Capital One Field on November 17, 2018 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
"Our biggest issue this year is that we've been in the right positions, we just don't make the tackles," Jones said.
The problems were obvious for all to see when Buckeyes missed 20 tackles and allowed Purdue to gain 378 yards in a stunning 49-20 blowout. They're coming off another poor performance, giving up 536 yards and 51 points to the Terrapins, who had freshman running back Anthony McFarland run for 298 yards and two touchdowns.
COLLEGE PARK, MD - NOVEMBER 17: Anthony McFarland #5 of the Maryland Terrapins runs against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the first half at Capital One Field on November 17, 2018 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
"Obviously it was very alarming to see," Meyer said. "I thought that we started to crack the rock the last few weeks as far as playing good defense, elimination of big plays."
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