When the final horn sounded and Michigan walked off the field victorious against rival Michigan State, on the shoulders of an absolutely dominant performance from Don Brown's defense holding the Spartans to just 94 total yards of offense a few weekends ago, Don Brown wasn't the least bit surprised.
He's known this Michigan defense has what it takes to be special, and special is exactly what they've been through the first 8 games of the season, ranking 1st in the country in total defense, allowing over 40 yards less than #2 Miami (FL). The Wolverines defense also ranks first nationally in passing defense, 9th in the country in run defense, and 6th in college football in scoring defense.
Brown shared what it is about this year's defense that makes them so special, and to no one's surprise (except maybe Allen Iverson), it starts with how they practice.
"This team, this defensive team that we're coaching currently, is the best practice team that I have ever been around. I don't have to go out there with my hair on fire, or screaming at guys, 'You've got to hustle,' 'You've got to run,' or 'Get to the ball!'. There's none of that going on. This team practices like you're supposed to practice."
"At the end of the day, you look and think, 'Holy moley, these guys flew around today.' They do it this way, and they build days, upon days, upon days, upon days of it. We practice full speed every day, and it's impressive because some teams you have to chase to practice the right way, and you're living in their grill. But this group, you just let them go. They know how important it is to play fast."
Brown then goes on to share more about what he's noticed makes his collection of defensive players so special with their attention to detail and getting in the proper posture and position to make tackles as the season goes on when details like that start to fall by the wayside.
Hear coach Brown's thoughts below.