Michigan State vs Michigan: Five things to watch in Big Ten showdown

Oct 10, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines cornerback Jourdan Lewis (26) scores a touchdown on an interception in the second quarter against the Northwestern Wildcats at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Michigan cornerback Jourdan Lewis

The Michigan defense has left a path of ruined offenses in its wake, and one of the biggest reasons for that is cornerback Jourdan Lewis. Often the best corners are the ones you don’t hear mentioned in games, because quarterbacks usually steer clear and don’t test them. The quarterbacks that Michigan has faced so far have tested him, and have done so to their own chagrin.

This week Pro Football Focus ranked their top ten players in college football, and Lewis was named the seventh best player, and the best at the cornerback position in the nation. Defensive backfield-mate Jabrill Peppers, by the way, got an honorable mention on this top-10 list, which probably explains some aspect of why quarterbacks can’t completely ignore Lewis’s side of the field and just not throw his direction.

So far this season, Lewis leads the nation with eight passes defended, and quarterbacks are completing just 11 of 34 passes for 67 yards when they throw his way. Quarterbacks have a passer rating of only 26.8 when they go his way.

He also has two interceptions this year, one of which he returned for a touchdown in a 38-0 rout of Northwestern a week ago.

Lewis will be tested this week against Michigan State in a way he hasn’t been so far this season. He’ll likely be matched up against wide receiver Aaron Burbridge, who was another honorable mention on PFF’s list.

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