The No. 24 ranked Michigan Wolverines (4-2) are looking for a mid-season turnaround ahead of their week seven matchup against the No. 21 ranked University of Illinois Fight Illini in a historic matchup.

Michigan Wolverines Head Football Coach Jim Harbaugh watches the replay during the fourth quarter of the game against the Michigan State Spartans at Michigan Stadium on November 16, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He’s allowed to defend his coach, but Michigan needed a change. Rocky Lombardi marched up and down the field against Michigan in 2020, as did Rutgers and a then-winless Penn State. Address defensive tackleMichigan’s approach to the defensive tackle position during the late Brown era was, to put it kindly, curious. RECRUITING: Michigan flips defensive tackles from Michigan State, Colorado on National Signing DayAdOn Wednesday -- the start of the late signing period -- the Wolverines flipped four-star defensive tackle Rayshaun Benny from Michigan State.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Michigan football has hired Baltimore Ravens linebacker coach Mike Macdonald as its new defensive coordinator. “It is an honor to join coach (Jim) Harbaugh’s staff at the University of Michigan,” Macdonald said. “He has been a valuable member of the Baltimore Ravens staff, and shown a passion for teaching, coaching and developing his players. College coaching careerBefore coaching in the NFL, Macdonald spent three years at his alma mater, Georgia, under longtime coach Mark Richt. RECENT: Jim Harbaugh signs contract extension to remain Michigan’s head football coach through 2025He was hired as a student assistant in May 2010 to help coach and run the offensive scout team.

(A4)🏈 Michigan football let defensive coordinator Don Brown go this week following the team’s worst showing during his five-year tenure. Blitz,” he orchestrated some extremely talented defenses in Ann Arbor, writes Derick Hutchinson. (A4)🎁 Watch: Pediatric patients and their families had their spirits lifted at C.S. (A4)🎸 Here’s the complete lineup of the 44th Ann Arbor Folk Festival, which streams live next month. All About Ann Arbor is powered by ClickOnDetroit/WDIV.

Michigan Wolverines defensive coordinator Don Brown reacts to a fourth quarter penalty during the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Michigan Stadium on November 30, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Michigan football has reportedly fired defensive coordinator Don Brown following the team’s worst showing during his five-year tenure. SOURCE: #Michigan has dismissed defensive coordinator Don Brown. For a defensive coordinator who makes his living on pressuring quarterbacks, Brown simply couldn’t do so the last two years, especially against decent competition. Most notably, Michigan State quarterback Rocky Lombardi had a career game passing over the Wolverines’ cornerbacks.

Michigan Wolverines defensive coordinator Don Brown reacts to a fourth quarter penalty during the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Michigan Stadium on November 30, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Ohio State defeated Michigan 56-27. ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Michigan football was weak on the defensive side of the ball this season, and National Signing Day brought more bad news, as the Wolverines lost two of their top defensive commitments. LATEST: Michigan cancels final game of season vs. Iowa due to COVID-19Indiana dropped 38 points on Michigan, and a week later, Wisconsin scored 49. MICHIGAN HOOPS: Should Michigan basketball be ranked?

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – There are countless reasons for Michigan football fans to be discouraged after the team’s loss to Michigan State, but here are the six most alarming signs for the future. Ronnie Bell #8 of the Michigan Wolverines fails to receive a pass during the second quarter against the Michigan State Spartans at Michigan Stadium on October 31, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. When that changed Saturday against Michigan State, Milton struggled with accuracy down the field. MORE: Can Michigan salvage season after lifeless loss to Michigan State? Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines looks on during the fourth quarter against the Michigan State Spartans at Michigan Stadium on October 31, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Michigan and Minnesota haven’t met since 2017, when the Wolverines walloped the Golden Gophers in a weather-delayed, soaking wet night game. Well, I’m about to break down four well-thought-out reasons why Michigan will lose to Minnesota, then I’m going to pick Michigan to win anyway. It’s like Minnesota picked up a “Michigan letdown game” appetizer menu and ordered an entire sampler platter. Michigan offensive coordinator Josh Gattis. At times last season, Michigan struggled to get pressure on the quarterback.

Michigan has often been ranked among the top five or 10 teams in the country, and that’s thanks to strong defensive performances. Kwity Paye #19 of the Michigan Wolverines tries to sack Peyton Ramsey #12 of the Indiana Hoosiers at Michigan Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. According to Harbaugh, they’ve only gotten better this offseason, and if Michigan can get some help from the defensive tackles, it’ll make their jobs even easier. READ: Defensive line is X-factor for Michigan against quarterback-loaded scheduleWith a less experienced secondary -- particularly at cornerback -- Hutchinson and Paye will be more important than ever. Defensive tacklesStarters: Carlo Kemp and Chris HintonConfidence: 100% and 95%Kemp will be one of the starters at defensive tackle -- that’s a slam dunk.

One of the most important is defensive tackle Chris Hinton. Defensive line outlookIt’s no secret Michigan’s defensive line underperformed a year ago. That was missing against the likes of Wisconsin, Ohio State and Penn State last season. Former Michigan defensive tackle Maurice HurstHinton doesn’t have to be Maurice Hurst, but Michigan needs him to be a threat from the interior of the line. It’s absolutely critical for the defensive line to get pressure without committing too many players to the blitz and compromising coverage downfield.

Every single recruiting class is important, and the Wolverines have reached the point where the 2018 class -- by far Harbaugh’s most criticized group -- has to make major contributions. Remembering the 2018 recruiting cycleThe 2018 class was recruited amid Michigan’s worst season of the Harbaugh era. The result was Michigan’s only full recruiting class to be ranked outside the top 20 since Harbaugh took over. Michigan’s recruiting has since rebounded, but that 2018 unit will play a major role in the coming seasons. 18 in MissouriRole: Guaranteed starterNobody better exemplifies the 2018 class than Bell, and everyone who follows Michigan football knows his story.

Unfortunately, the defensive line wasn’t a strength for Michigan a year ago. Even though the schedule is shorter this season, Michigan won’t avoid the best quarterbacks in the Big Ten. Look no further than the 2019 recruiting class to find the X-factors for this defensive line. Beyond Hinton and Smith, the rest of the defensive line depth is hard to project. Beyond Hutchinson and Paye, the defensive line could very well be a weakness for Michigan, and that would be a crippling blow to a young defense.

Daxton Hill #30 of the Michigan Wolverines carries the ball after making a catch against the Army Black Knights on a fake punt during the first half at Michigan Stadium on September 7, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. There were some obvious changes when Rutgers came to town, namely the presence of Cam McGrone at the middle linebacker position. Defensive coordinator Don Brown of the Michigan Wolverines look on during the second half while playing the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Michigan Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Safety Daxton Hill was on the field much more than usual, making four tackles and getting in on a sack. Defensive coordinator Don Brown of the Michigan Wolverines leaves the field after a 52-0 win over the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Michigan Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Why Michigan is a popular pickWriters who think Michigan will win the Big Ten this season have plenty of justification for doing so. Michigan has made massive improvements under Jim Harbaugh and has twice gone into the Ohio State game with a chance to win the East Division. Heck, Michigan even finished ahead of Ohio State in recruiting rankings for the first time since 2010. Chris Olave of Ohio State outruns Brandon Watson of Michigan for a 24-yard touchdown catch at Ohio Stadium on Nov. 24, 2018, in Columbus, Ohio. Recruiting isn't everything, but it's undeniable that Ohio State has consistently landed more high-level talent than Michigan in recent years.