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Michigan football: 3 defensive players to watch vs. Michigan State

By Jacob Bruetsch

BLOOMINGTON, IN - OCTOBER 08: Mike Morris #90 of the Michigan Wolverines is seen during the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium on October 8, 2022 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, IN - OCTOBER 08: Mike Morris #90 of the Michigan Wolverines is seen during the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium on October 8, 2022 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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While many eyes are on how Michigan football’s offense will fare against Michigan State’s defense going into this week’s game, the other side of the matchup looks to be just as intriguing.

The Spartans present a few new challenges on their offense, and it will be interesting to see how Michigan counters.

It will require a team effort for the Wolverines’ defense to shut MSU down, but there are three players in particular who are invaluable to the team’s success.

1. DJ Turner

Michigan State’s Jayden Reed is one of the best receivers in the Big Ten and will be the biggest test Michigan’s secondary faces until Ohio State.

Fresh off of a 117-yard game against Wisconsin, Reed is fully healthy again after suffering a freakish back injury against Akron. He had a productive game last year against Michigan, with six timely catches for 80 yards, and will be looking to repeat that on Saturday.

It will more than likely be DJ Turner’s job to make sure that doesn’t happen. Coming into the season, Turner received high praise, as PFF ranked him as the sixth-best cornerback in the country entering the season. He has lived up to the praise, locking down every receiver he’s faced.

No one has challenged him quite like Reed will on Saturday though.

However, if Turner is up for the challenge, the Spartan offense will be seriously limited.

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