our defense will improve this year

I'll neg myself for that!!!

ok

They did run almost 100 plays. Basically they had under 6 yards per play. If they didn't have the ball for 3/4 of the game these horrible yardage stats don't exist. Just think 2 years ago the D had the same problem with TOP but that was because we couldn't score and got off the field too quickly. This year w just score to quickly. A problem I would much rather have.

yes and no. We just are not that deep on defense at all. We are decent against the run but terrible against strong passing attacks. Its tough to say what will happen. MSU next week will be tough. 

I do like your optimism.  I am curious what someone like Magnus or one of the D coaches out there would say. 

I do see some athleticism out there and the guys did seem to flow to the ball after the catch well.  The trouble was Chappel played a pretty smart game and executed well much of the game.  I am very curious to see if IU actually turns out to be a decent team or not.  Simply put I am not sure how much it was a function of IU running a good gameplan versus our D just not being able to handle the 'pistol' and the pressure it seems to apply to the flats.  Would love to hear more thoughts.....

much of the plan in this game was to play SUPER safe in the passing game and make sure they didn't burn us on demoralizing long passes. And it worked. We'll improve simply by the nature of the opponent.

Obviously I hope that our secondary picks it up, but I don't know if we have the athletes there to "make plays on the ball" in the scheme that we're using. Our guys just seem to be one step (at best) slow in getting to the receiver. Avery's one PBU against BGSU was so exciting, and I wish our guys were getting an arm in more often. I'm watching the Florida-Alabama game and they have great athletes in the secondary who contest passes. I'm not sure if we have the athletes in our secondary right now.

that our D seems to make our opponents work for yardage.  The more snaps opposing offenses take, the greater chance of a turnover.  As long as the O continues to score in 2 or fewer plays and we make other teams drive for 15 plays or so, we should have a great turnover margin. 

Our offense certainly didn't help the defense out.  It seems like we either scored really fast or went three and out.  It seemed like the offense slowed the tempo down in the second half, maybe to give the D some more rest?

An all out passing attack is tough to defend against.  The rest of our schedule we will see I-formations. The schemes will be much more simple.

Gerg will have the D ready.

We are simply not good enough to outscore everyone. I know I will get slaughtered for questioning the 3-3-5 but short of switching to a 4-2-5 for example, we at least need to do some actual blitzing, not just fake it every snap. We could make up for some of our deficiencies with some timely turnovers a la the mediocre Saints defense circa last year. Gerg has no fucking clue what he is doing. When does punishing Will Campbell for being a fatty get old? He could at least look imposing standing next to Martin and you never know occupy a blocker or two every once in a while.

They're already ranked in the 90s in defense in Division I.  Denard didn't have his usual smile on his face near the end of the game - he was visibly upset at the piss poor play of the defense. The D is gonna hold this team back.

I don't know.  The teams we have coming up, I just think they're drooling over how they're going to attack our secondary.

I hate putting Denard in this position where he's going to have to put up 500-something yards just for us to stay close with teams. 

The D actually had a few nice plays.  A couple sacks and an interception.  But they were on the field for, what, 41 minutes?  God, that can't happen again. 

In the third quarter, we had Indiana inside their own 10 and facing a 3rd and 15.  Then they go out and throw a 20 yard completion with ease.  That's the kind of crap that happened all the time last year and I hate seeing it continue. 

Last year after the Indiana game, I felt so sick to my stomach that I wanted the season to end that day.  This year, I don't feel as bad because we have a few more offensive weapons with experience.  But defense wise?  I'm paranoid because other than Illinois and Purdue, the rest of our opponents are much better than the 5 we have already faced. 

If it's obvious to us spectators that the DBs aren't playing aggressive, I think they will improve with coaching/experience. 

enough of excuses.  i dont expect our D to be one of the best.   but there is no reason that it should not break the top 50 barrier.  an NFL coach can not coach college.  it has been proven time and time again.  if we had even sub par defense this year, with the way our offense is playing, we would be competing for a national title.  i think we go 7-5 this year.

couple quick questions, does any one else not like this 3-3-5 scheme? I am also wondering if Gerg runs a true 3-3-5 stack or some other variation? I have a feeling RR wanted the 3-3-5 and is making Gerg run it. The 4-2-5 would be a better fit for big ten. i also have a feeling Gerg doesnt recruit and that might explain the bleak talent on that side of the ball. Im just praying they get better quick..if not sparty might roll.

Hail!!

((Dons the maize & blue googles)) We've got lot's of youth & inexperience that have a steep learning curve.  So let's start climbing.