Does 10-7 Get Us In?

[Sled21]

(12-05-2023, 04:32 PM)Nepa Wrote:
If not the departure of the safeties, then what do you attribute is the cause of the demise of the defense? Almost the entire defense returned, including the entire defensive linemen and linebackers, and even most backups. And Lou returned. 

I guess I finger the one major change, the loss of Bates and Bell, as the major factor for the defense's poor performance this year (and those two are having terrific seasons this year, and in particular Bates). But whatever it is, I hope Lou figures it out soon. Right now, they are 32nd in yards allowed per game (and 26th in running yards allowed and 21st in points allowed per game). A long ways from a top-10 defense. Even when Beathard came in he went 9/10 and an honest referee (who threw the flag on holding) away from throwing a bomb to inside the 5-yard line in overtime.

Bates and Bell were tough losses, but look at our defensive backfield as a whole. 

Awuzie- vet, but not 100%
Jaylen Davis-vet
Mike Hilton- vet
Nick Scott-vet
Cam Taylor Britt-2nd year
Dax Hill-2nd year
Tycen Anderson- second year/IR

Jordan Battle-rookie
DJ Turner-rookie
DJ Ivey-rookie


So we have 2 or 3 vets who play, a couple of second year players and 3 rookies getting extended playing time. Give this group a little bit of time, they are going to be very very good.