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(AP) - Michigan is back in the Top 25 largely because of a defense that is steadily improving under coach Jim Harbaugh.
The Wolverines beat then-No. 22 BYU 31-0 on Saturday, holding the Cougars to 105 total yards. Now No. 22 Michigan ranks second in the nation in average yards allowed at just 204 per game heading into Saturday's game at Maryland to open Big Ten play.
''We saw (BYU's) tendencies and what they like to do, and the way (defensive coordinator D.J.) Durkin orchestrated a game plan, it kind of took away what they like to do,'' said freshman safety Jabrill Peppers.
Michigan has been taking away its opponents strengths ever since its season-opening loss to Utah on Sept. 3.
Against Oregon State, the Wolverines limited Seth Collins, a capable runner at the quarterback position. Collins gained just 28 rush yards against Michigan. On Saturday, big-armed quarterback Tanner Mangum threw for just 55 yards for the Cougars.
Michigan's pass defense, which ranks fifth in the nation by allowing 121.8 pass yards per game, has stiffened greatly from past seasons.
In 2014, Michigan gave up 193.7 yards per game through the air, somewhat better than the 231.3 the previous season. Players say that change is at least partially due to a more aggressive approach from defensive backs coaches Mike Zordich and Greg Jackson.
''They always want us to stamp our impression on how we play,'' said senior safety Jarrod Wilson. ''They just want us to play aggressive, physical, and they don't mind aggressive penalties. So pass interference calls, we obviously don't want them, but if you were playing aggressive and playing hard, you can always accept those.''
The Wolverines' secondary has been crucial to the defense's success, wiping out big gains with their physical style.
Through four games, Michigan has broken up 13 passes and intercepted three more, all while giving up just two passing touchdowns this season.
Meanwhile, the Wolverines rush defense has held up as expected. Michigan's defensive line has been a strong suit in recent seasons, and that has continued with Greg Mattison taking over as defensive line coach. Led by junior Chris Wormley and senior Mario Ojemudia, the Wolverines have 32 tackles for loss, which puts them on track to surpass last season's total of 82.
Most important, Michigan has given up just 38 points this season, 24 of which came at Utah in the first game of the season.
And with a signature win over a ranked opponent now in its pocket, Michigan and its defense are in a position to keep on rolling.
''We definitely played way better than anybody expected (against BYU), but right now, we're just trying to keep the momentum going,'' Peppers said. ''Keep getting better week to week.''
Michigan's running game has been doing just that. After being held to 76 yards on the ground and just 2.6 per carry against Utah, the Wolverines piled up 225 and four touchdowns against Oregon State before running for exactly 254 and three scores against both UNLV and BYU.
Even quarterback Jake Rudock, who's thrown more interceptions (five) than touchdown passes (four), got in on the act against the Cougars, running for a pair of TDs.
The concern for Michigan came when leading rusher De'Veon Smith suffered an ankle injury after running for 125 yards on 16 carries. He limped off the field, but X-rays were negative and he expects to play against Maryland (2-2).
''I'm feeling good,'' Smith said. ''I got a little banged up, but it's not a big deal.''
Harbaugh was more vague about Smith's status, simply saying he's "working through something."
Smith has a little less recovery time after the Big Ten announced Thursday that the game would be moved up from 8 p.m. ET to noon amid concerns over drenching rain and the approach of Hurricane Joaquin.
If Smith can go it's bad news for the Terrapins, who haven't been able to stop anyone on the ground the last three weeks. They gave up 201 rushing yards in a loss to Bowling Green, 240 in a win over South Florida and 304 in last Saturday's 45-6 loss at West Virginia - the second time in three weeks Maryland has allowed more than 600 yards of offense.
The one thing the Terrapins have been able to do is run the ball - they're averaging 5.9 yards a carry - but there's a big question mark under center. Starter Caleb Rowe threw four of his FBS-high nine interceptions against the Mountaineers, leaving Randy Edsall with a decision.
Perry Hills started the first two games and Rowe the last two.
''We'll sit back and watch the film and evaluate it,'' Edsall said.
Michigan ran for 292 yards last season in Ann Arbor, but Maryland scored twice in the fourth quarter to rally for a 23-16 win in the teams' first meeting since 1990.
