Despite their flaws so far this season, Oregon Ducks coach Dan Lanning barely takes on the defending national champion Michigan Wolverines slightly.

When I spoke to the media earlier this week ahead of Saturday’s event Big Ten game has “The Big House” Lanning praised the Michigan defensive front, which includes three future NFL draft picks in defensive tackles Kenneth Grant and Mason Graham as well as outside linebacker Josaiah Stewart.

“You look at them and they’re game breakers, aren’t they?” Lanning said of Graham and Grant. “Those are guys you have to have a game plan for. But 78 (Grant) and 55 (Graham) both have an impact. Consistent in the game. They beat simple blocks. They’re certainly good against teams doubles, they’re good against the run and the pass so they’re guys you have to put the time and effort into and any time you have guys like that up front it’s easier to cover. the rear.

As for Stewart, Lanning highlighted his versatility as a passer.

“It’s power and contraction,” Lanning said. “Again, he plays with power, but he also has speed and twitch and ability. So he’s not just – definitely not a finesse runner. He plays a certain way, but He’s a talented guy.”

So far this season, Graham has 30 total tackles (14 solo), a career-high 3.5 sacks and one pass breakup. Grant had 18 total tackles (12 solo), two sacks, two fumble recoveries and four assists. Stewart was a monster with 27 total tackles (17 solo), a team-high 6.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.

Luckily for Oregon, another potential draft pick Michigan the defense might not play. Wolverines star cornerback Will Johnson is dealing with an injury, and coach Sherrone Moore has hinted he’ll miss a game or two. This will give the Ducks one less playmaker to worry about.

“He’s definitely going to (play) again this season. We’ll see how it goes this week and what he can do,” Moore said. “So we’re just going to let the doctors deal with it. . . . Will has no plans to just shut it down or anything like that. . . . If he could go, he would go in blink of an eye I know he’ll be back at some point this season, whether it’s this week, next week, whatever, and there’s no doubt in my mind that he’s one. competitor who wants to be out there with his teammates.