Michigan DC Jay Hill says coverage mix will change week to week
The short version
- Jay Hill says Michigan's coverage split is roughly 50-50 between man and zone this season
- Hill says the ratio changes weekly based on opponent matchups and personnel
- Several Iowa offensive players said this week they expect mostly man coverage
- Michigan and Iowa kick off Saturday at 3:36 p.m. EDT on CBS
Iowa's offense may expect heavy man coverage from Michigan, but defensive coordinator Jay Hill says the plan shifts based on matchups.
Michigan defensive coordinator Jay Hill pushed back this week on the idea that his defense relies almost entirely on man coverage, a perception that several Iowa offensive players have voiced ahead of Saturday's game.
Hill said the split between man and zone has been roughly even this season, and heavier on man than during his time at BYU but similar to his tenures at Utah and Weber State. He added that the Oklahoma game, widely viewed as an all-man performance, actually featured a range of combination coverages and zones designed to confuse the quarterback.
The approach, Hill explained, depends on the weekly matchup. He said the staff may tilt the free safety toward a particular receiver, lean more man against quarterbacks who struggle with it, or lean more zone against passers who thrive against man.
A former Utah cornerback himself, Hill said he welcomes a physical, run-focused game against Iowa but also enjoys scheming against aggressive passing attacks. He emphasized that Michigan must stop the run while avoiding cheap plays downfield.
Michigan hosts Iowa at Michigan Stadium on Saturday, kicking off at 3:36 p.m. EDT on CBS.
