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Michigan football: 3 biggest surprises from the Wolverines’ 2021 season

By Christopher Mangum

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 27: Hassan Haskins #25 of the Michigan Wolverines carries the ball against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the first quarter at Michigan Stadium on November 27, 2021 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 27: Hassan Haskins #25 of the Michigan Wolverines carries the ball against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the first quarter at Michigan Stadium on November 27, 2021 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images) /
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Michigan defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald watches warmups before a game against Northern Illinois at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021.
Michigan defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald watches warmups before a game against Northern Illinois at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. /

2. Mike Macdonald and Michigan’s defense

Following Michigan’s continuous meltdowns against Ohio State, specifically in 2018 and 2019, former defensive coordinator Don Brown was relieved of his duties, and Michigan would seek a new defensive play-caller.

The Wolverines would land on an unlikely candidate: Mike Macdonald from the Baltimore Ravens. Macdonald was brought in and given complete control over Michigan’s defense from day one, a treatment that most coaches in their mid-30s do not get from one of the biggest college football brands in the United States.

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From day one with Macdonald, it was clear that Michigan’s defense had changed drastically. After one of the worst defensive performances at the division one level in 2020, Michigan’s defense had made some incredible strides in both development and schematics.

Michigan would finish the season with a defense that was considered elite by many, including Pro Football Focus. The Wolverines’ stellar 2021 season was capped off with a disappointing loss to the national champion Georgia Bulldogs, yet still seemed to end on a high note.

In the two games that preceded the Orange Bowl, the Wolverines would hold the country’s No. 1 offense, Ohio State, to a mere 27 points in their win. In the Big Ten title game, Michigan would run Iowa out of the building, winning the Big Ten Championship by a score of 42-3.

Though Macdonald has since gone back to the NFL after only one season with the Wolverines, the defense he managed to construct throughout Michigan’s spectacular season was incredible.

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