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Any thoughts?
A defense that doesn't suck. Better than the last several defenses we've hadDefine good.
Not being a jerk, but that definition/expectation my vary so much among fans that I think you may want to be more specific.
Any thoughts?
MUCH more concerned with the offense stepping it up another notch...that is the key.Any thoughts?
I think mindsets like this are the problem...you can't just outscore everybody. At times you need to be able to win a 17-14 football game with defense and field position.MUCH more concerned with the offense stepping it up another notch...that is the key.
A Bama like defense only comes when you get Bama like playersImproved to the point of being respectable/competitive may be a better expectation.
2016
Rush defense: 228 ypg, National Rank = 110
Pass defense: 206 ypg, National Rank = 35
Total defense: 440 ypg, National Rank = 88
Scoring defense: 31.3 ppg, National Rank = 87
2015
Rush defense: 196 ypg, National Rank = 98
Pass defense: 198 ypg, National Rank = 31
Total defense: 394 ypg, National Rank = 63
Scoring defense: 27.4 ppg, National Rank = 98
2008 (best year I remember since becoming a fan - Jarmon's last year)
Rush defense: 142 ypg, National Rank = 62
Pass defense: 184 ypg, National Rank = 29
Total defense: 327 ypg, National Rank = 37
Scoring defense: 21.7 ppg, National Rank = 40
As much as I would love to see an absolutely dominant BAMA-like defense, I would be pleased if the defense can get halfway to that 2008 team...
60ish rush defense,
35ish Pass def,
25ish ppg (that would've been about 45ish in 2016)
The only weakness i see is MLB and NG. Weare solid. Not top SEC solid but thats a good group there.Let's look at the two deep.
DE- TJ Carter/Kengera Daniel (Alvonte Bell will start if healthy)
NG- Naquez Pringle/Matt Elam
DT- Adrian Middleton/Kordell Looney
Jack- Denzil Ware/Boogie Watson
SLB- Josh Allen/Jordan Bonner
MLB- Courtney Love/Kash Daniel
WLB- Jordan Jones/Eli Brown
Nick- Kendall Randolph/Jordan Griffin
CB- Derrick Baity/Lonnie Johnson
SS- Mike Edwards/Tobias Gilliam
FS- Darius West/Davonte Robinson
CB- Chris Westry/ZyAire Hughes
We only replace Miggins, McClain and McWilson. Carter should give us more than Miggins, Randolph is more talented than McClain and West, if healthy, is a star. So we could possibly be improved at every spot of defense.
Mind sets like mine are not the problem...it's the guys who think college football is still three yards and a cloud of dust. Give me an offense scoring 30+ppg and I'll show you an 8+ winning team every year...ask Les MilesI think mindsets like this are the problem...you can't just outscore everybody. At times you need to be able to win a 17-14 football game with defense and field position.
To end last years in 80's in scoring defense feels like is substantiates what I saw which was a well below average defense.
1. I think we'll be fine pass rush unit with Ware, Allen, Boogie, Kenegra and Middleton up front. I like Baity as our best CB and sort of "meh" on Westry on the other side. I am hoping Edwards can improve upon a solid campaign and West takes it up a notch over McWilson/McClain at other safety.
2. Run defense is the biggest concern for me. I still watch Love play and see him hardly ever make plays while teams run right at us for long stretches of games. Jordan is team MVP IMO at other inside LBer spot. It then comes down to will Pringle, Carter, Looney, Elam, Middleton, etc.. hold up at LOS. Ware/Allen were shaky vs the run last years. We were just awful at DL last year no matter how you slice it. And if you're really bad at the LOS on defense...you can't win games with DBs, Lbers, safeties, etc... You just simply can't hide bad DL play.
3. The biggest promise is coaching/strategy this year vs. last year.. I never saw much at all from DJ Elliott and I'm still not sold on 3-4 defense.. Will Matt House, Dean Hood and Leblanc get more out of our talent level than previous staff did and can they coach up the 3-4 scheme. I'd have more confidence if we'd have gone out for a proven DC...but Stoops knows House and he knows defense...so I'm willing to see what that change on side of ball will bear fruit for UK.
A Bama like defense only comes when you get Bama like players
Well, that is one way to look at it, but a negative one.
Did you see my post above: "I don't expect to jump into the nation's elite, but I do expect a LOT of improvement. And we have plenty of room to improve." I don't think anyone on here expect to be Bama good, just a lot better than last year.
I agree scoring is up across college football the past decade with no huddle offense, more snaps, etc...but the teams who stop people still heavily take all the playoff spots.Mind sets like mine are not the problem...it's the guys who think college football is still three yards and a cloud of dust. Give me an offense scoring 30+ppg and I'll show you an 8+ winning team every year...ask Les Miles
In games in 2016 where we did not score 30+ we were 2-5...when we did 5-1. Check Clemson & Ala scoring .
Don't get me wrong I want to see us have a defense that can get off the field, but it is offense that wins in college football today.
What makes what I said negative? The only thing you can say is that's a fact. That goes for every other team, not just UK. You want a team like Ohio st has? Recruit like them. You want a team like FSU? You gotta recruit the kids they get to get you the success they have. You're making this very personal.
That's true but we've got a top 30-35 roster now based on recruiting rankings so hopefully our defense finishes somewhere in this range. That is reasonable.[/QUOTE
Hopefully we get a top 50 defense overall. That would be a great step in the right direction.
I don't expect to jump into the nation's elite, but I do expect a LOT of improvement. And we have plenty of room to improve.
I agree scoring is up across college football the past decade with no huddle offense, more snaps, etc...but the teams who stop people still heavily take all the playoff spots.
- Alabama led nation in scoring defense, Ohio St was 3rd and Washington 8th...Clemson was 10th
- In 2015 Alabama was 6th, Clemson 3rd, Michigan St 22nd and the only way off was Oklahoma scored their way in at 55th ranked defense (and that was a highly controversial pick that Oklahoma made it in in the first place over Ohio St)
In the end defense ranking tend to way more highly correlate to who wins titles, placement in a conference and that is especially true in an athlete dominate conference like SEC. And UK has to play way better defense under Stoops if we hope to go forward and get past UGA, UT and stay ahead of Mizzou/USC.
I agree scoring is up across college football the past decade with no huddle offense, more snaps, etc...but the teams who stop people still heavily take all the playoff spots.
- Alabama led nation in scoring defense, Ohio St was 3rd and Washington 8th...Clemson was 10th
- In 2015 Alabama was 6th, Clemson 3rd, Michigan St 22nd and the only way off was Oklahoma scored their way in at 55th ranked defense (and that was a highly controversial pick that Oklahoma made it in in the first place over Ohio St)
In the end defense ranking tend to way more highly correlate to who wins titles, placement in a conference and that is especially true in an athlete dominate conference like SEC. And UK has to play way better defense under Stoops if we hope to go forward and get past UGA, UT and stay ahead of Mizzou/USC.
A defense that doesn't suck. Better than the last several defenses we've had
What makes what I said negative? The only thing you can say is that's a fact. That goes for every other team, not just UK. You want a team like Ohio st has? Recruit like them. You want a team like FSU? You gotta recruit the kids they get to get you the success they have. You're making this very personal.
I agree scoring is up across college football the past decade with no huddle offense, more snaps, etc...but the teams who stop people still heavily take all the playoff spots.
- Alabama led nation in scoring defense, Ohio St was 3rd and Washington 8th...Clemson was 10th
- In 2015 Alabama was 6th, Clemson 3rd, Michigan St 22nd and the only way off was Oklahoma scored their way in at 55th ranked defense (and that was a highly controversial pick that Oklahoma made it in in the first place over Ohio St)
In the end defense ranking tend to way more highly correlate to who wins titles, placement in a conference and that is especially true in an athlete dominate conference like SEC. And UK has to play way better defense under Stoops if we hope to go forward and get past UGA, UT and stay ahead of Mizzou/USC.
What was the score in the NC game again? 85 pts combined for the two defensive minded teams...I agree scoring is up across college football the past decade with no huddle offense, more snaps, etc...but the teams who stop people still heavily take all the playoff spots.
- Alabama led nation in scoring defense, Ohio St was 3rd and Washington 8th...Clemson was 10th
- In 2015 Alabama was 6th, Clemson 3rd, Michigan St 22nd and the only way off was Oklahoma scored their way in at 55th ranked defense (and that was a highly controversial pick that Oklahoma made it in in the first place over Ohio St)
In the end defense ranking tend to way more highly correlate to who wins titles, placement in a conference and that is especially true in an athlete dominate conference like SEC. And UK has to play way better defense under Stoops if we hope to go forward and get past UGA, UT and stay ahead of Mizzou/USC.
But again, im not trolling and being negative because i want us to win. Il never root against UK....EVER! Its just my opinion with how this year schedule is. Great teams at home minus UGA, teams we haven't beaten in 30 years minus 1 year for UT , and good teams in UGA and missippi st away that is just not favorable. Then we have teams now at there home that we juuust barely beat at our home and then UL. Im not making a prediction with UL because in rivalries, ANYTHING can happen just like last year. I hope we improve to 8 wins this year, and maybe we do. And if we do il be in tears with joy. Thats why its just my opinion, and im not trying to be negative.A little more subtle, maybe once you get so mired up in negativity you don't even recognize it yourself.
Kudos to you, much better than predicting FOUR wins.
Using your logic why La Tech, Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Louisville in playoffs?What was the score in the NC game again? 85 pts combined for the two defensive minded teams...
41-38 cats vs otis..Using your logic why La Tech, Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Louisville in playoffs?
I think it will depend on the big uglies up front, if they can get pressure or allow the LBers to shoot the gaps before the runners are in the secondary that would help. I think our Ends are solid, I like our new linebackers, they are active and our secondary is set with experienced players. Like some said we might not have to be good but if the front shows improvement I think we could be good.
With improved experience, depth and talent we *should* be a top 35, top 40 defense this year. I'm expecting big things from the defense. Pieces are there...depends on maturation of dline though. If it is significantly better, our defense becomes fun to watch.