So about this defense

[TheColonyEagle]

So I know the points allowed for this year doesn't look good as a whole...but if you dig into the numbers since the FAU game:

This D has given up:

24 pts to ODU (at their average pts/game)

23 pts to LaTech (below their avg)

3 pts to UTEP (below their avg)

49 to Army (above their avg)

7 to Rice (below their avg)

Outside of Army who is averaging 31 pts/game, we didn't play great offensive teams, but we held the rest of them to or below their average. 

The D has given up 21 pts per game since the FAU melt down. If you take out the Army game (I still say we didn't overly game plan for them with the big picture in mind) Then this D has given up 14 pts per game since FAU. Only five TDs, six FGs. 

The point here is with the obvious exception of the FAU game, really since the 2nd half of the USM game, the arrow has been pointing up for this D. Plus they have come up HUGE in some critical situations this year. There are 2 bad games (SMU and FAU) as well as a late brain fart against an 8 win UAB team that makes the numbers look bad. Plus we have some special teams and offensive miscues that have led to points for the other team. But I think this D could actually be a little underrated. With the offense clicking like it has been, I expect the CUSA championship game to be a good game. In my mind, this game is about Mason Fine and the offense playing much better than we did the first time in Boca. 

 

[GrandGreen]

The defensive backfield has played much better than earlier in the year.  

The defensive front has played well at times and actually won games.   If I was to rate them, I would go average for a CUSA unit. 

The FAU game was an anomaly and of course ruined all the defensive stats for a year.  

I hope the defense makes a very positive statement in the rematch.    

[jdennis82]

4 hours ago, GrandGreen said:

 I hope the defense makes a very positive statement in the rematch.    

The players were vocal about execution, not coaching, as being responsible for the results in Round 1. 

Perfect chance for redemption.

[golfingomez]

If the point is that this defense is not as bad as the one that showed up to Boca Raton in October, then yes, I agree. 

We came out flatter than a pancake and FAU was white hot. 

We also aren't as good as holding Utep and Rice to single digits on defense. 

hopefully we learned enough from our first go-round to make this one interesting. 

[TheColonyEagle]

Looking at this team from the outside....it looks like this one of the worst defenses in the country.

My point is I don't think they are and I actually think they've righted their ship since the last time we played FAU. 

I think they can shock some people come Saturday....

[SigmaGreen]

My question to everyone and my concern is can our defense make adjustments this game to deal with the tempo of Briles offense. They don’t really give you a chance to rotate players, which allows for a guy like Singletary to wear you down. 

[Caw Caw]

I've watched almost every game twice now, I really feel like our issues are at LB.

[BTG_Fan1]

@Brett Vito tomorrow, can you remind SL he has timeouts to use when we are at FAU.. he didn’t use any in the first match up

[Hunter Green]

My question about this defense is, Bryce English. will he, or won't he?

[djohnnie]

Still haven't heard whether English will or won't play. Has anyone heard?

GMG

Edited December 2, 2017 by djohnnie

[SouthBendGreen]

Wow I hope  you are all correct!

Go back and watch the game against rice  as a very inaccurate freshman quarterback made plays and they ran through us on the ground.  They just couldn't finish, well FAU can.  Our LB's are for sure a concern.  But again I hope I'm wrong. 

[BTG_Fan1]

6 hours ago, djohnnie said:

Still haven't heard whether English will or won't play. Has anyone heard?

GMG

Do not believe he made the flight from done things I saw on his social media, but hopefully I’m wrong and it was pre-flight stuff..

[Mean Green Matt]

I think the defense will come out very amped up. It will be a different NT team today than last time. Whether that is enough on the road, who knows. I'm actually a little worried we come out so amped up FAU is able to take advantage of it. 

[UNT 90 Grad]

8 hours ago, djohnnie said:

Still haven't heard whether English will or won't play. Has anyone heard?

GMG

Something tells me this bit will continue long after English graduates.  

Sorry Ray.  You might be replaced. 

Edited December 2, 2017 by UNT 90 Grad

[golfingomez]

On 11/27/2017 at 7:11 PM, BTG_Fan1 said:

@Brett Vito tomorrow, can you remind SL he has timeouts to use when we are at FAU.. he didn’t use any in the first match up

otherwise, we'd have steamrolled them...