Per SP+, we dropped from #80 to #100 on D after last week. Unfortunately our D (by numbers, adjusted for competition) has been worse than last year, which seems impossible and also doesn’t align with what my eyes are seeing. I guess it’s hard to argue the defense is much better given that, yet somehow I’m still encouraged.
Players are in the right spots this year. Last year in multiple games guys would either run through the line, scramble, or make a catch and there wouldn’t be a defender in the picture. Not the case now.
We are putting up enough resistance to cause 3rd downs. So our opponents are having to work to move the ball. We just aren’t getting off the field still.
Why? My gut says talent, depth, etc still aren’t there. We make choices on where to recruit, and the depth appears better on offense, which I’m good with given the results.
- undersized pretty much everywhere.
- very little pash rush.
- Our LB unit still doesn’t make nearly enough plays.
- secondary is better, but once the starters go down, we still see a massive drop off. The Davis and Carson injuries stand out — and the same happened when guys got hurt last year against UNC and it hurt us in ensuing games.