Best D this century

MeanGreenD · November 6, 2013

This D gives up more yards per game both passing & rushing compared to when I was a student, aka, the glory days.

However, they average 3 turnovers a game (more than any of those D's) and allow less points than 3/4 glory years. The strength of schedule was also the highest with 3/4 years being in triple digits, and this year's in the 60's before playing Rice. I posted the actual numbers in some long-lost thread before Halloween. And then, THE STAND.

Although it's difficult/unfair/impossible to compare between eras, I still stand by this statement. Especially since the game had evolved over the last decade with more dual-threat QBs, read-options, spread formations, and the adoption of the targeting penalty. I don't believe any of our players have been called for that, without it being picked up. That's impressive with the pain they inflict on the opposition.

Early on, the Achilles' heel was the big pass play. These are now fewer and farther between. As a witness to all the great NT D's, this is the one I would put at the top of the list.

To conclude, THE STAND. That is all. #beatUTEP

H-towngreen · November 6, 2013

This D clamps down in the red zone and they force turnovers. Thankfully. If they didn't this could be a bad bad season

MeanGreenD · November 6, 2013

H-Towngreen, you hit the nail on the head. This D is winning games. Games we might not have won otherwise. The way they shut teams down in the 2nd half is ridiculous.

meangreendork · November 6, 2013

Seems like this D has a way of getting in the other team's heads when they're not getting in their faces and getting them dead center with a hit.

oldguystudent · November 6, 2013

I was wondering last night in how many games this season the D and special teams have each scored.

El Paso Eagle · November 6, 2013

Over the past few years with the evolution of the Spread on offense and the rule changes that hamper the defenses it make it all the more special when you see these numbers. This is one of the reason I like to stay away from comparing teams from different years.

Edited November 6, 2013 by El Paso Eagle

BillySee58 · November 6, 2013

In the era of spread offenses, defenses have to specialize in capitalizing on turnover opportunities and, most importantly, being able to bend and not break. We have gotten very good at that and Skladany has been just about all we could ask for. Great defensive mind.

hickoryhouse · November 6, 2013

I have to agree with MeanGreenD. When I was in school during the Darrell Dickey Invitational Bowl era I thought we would be hard pressed to find something that took offenses apart like Booger and co. but this group has shown me that we can do even better! Defenses need to be ranked by points allowed and that stat alone makes this d just as good if not better than Booger's years. We have a cast of characters that is just as intriguing and the hitting is amazing. The part that puts this group over the top for me is the turnovers and the defensive touchdowns. I can't remember the last time a saw a group racking up points on this side of the ball the way these guys do.

I was thinking prior to last weekend that they would be a second place finish to the bowl era guys but The Stand really showed me that not only are we physical, intimidating and hard hitting but we are tough and get in the other team's head in a way that few groups seem to be able to do.

I am loving watching these guys play and if they keep playing like this for the rest of the year in my opinion we can say this is as good as it has ever been in this neck of the woods, at least as long as I have been alive.

MeanGreenTexan · November 6, 2013

Preface: I love this year's defense.

I can't say this year's defense is better than the early 2000's (Specifically '02 & '03). Maybe it's nostalgia, maybe it's the lack of a Booger up front, maybe it's because this year's defense has not finished their season.

Cerebus · November 6, 2013

Preface: I love this year's defense.

I can't say this year's defense is better than the early 2000's (Specifically '02 & '03). Maybe it's nostalgia, maybe it's the lack of a Booger up front, maybe it's because this year's defense has not finished their season.

My thoughts exactly.

Also, what made that D special is that core stayed together for several seasons. If seniors graduate this year and the D next year is also special, then we can have this talk.

MeanGreenD · November 6, 2013

Good point, this D needs to put the ! on the season the way Lee did with #thestand. Time will tell

CMJ · November 6, 2013

The 2002 defense was really special. They had like 3 shutouts and should have had four (the offense gave up a safety, so technically the D didn't get another one).

MeanGreenD · November 6, 2013

Did they shut out an 8-1 Ball State team in the 2nd half?

MeanGreenTexan · November 6, 2013

Did they shut out an 8-1 Ball State team in the 2nd half?

No, but they shut out UT in the 2nd half. A team that ended the year at #6 in the polls.

SouthBendGreen · November 6, 2013

My thoughts exactly.

Also, what made that D special is that core stayed together for several seasons. If seniors graduate this year and the D next year is also special, then we can have this talk.

It is a tough call because at first I thought no way this D is as good as those. But then I started going through it. Trice is probably as good if not better than Buckles. Laramie Lee is better than whomever was the SS. The corners on the early aughts teams were definitely better. The LB might be a push as Orr, Wright and Akunne are probably real close to Kassel and CO. The D-Line isn't even close though. Booger's line were simply amazing. You couldn't contain him.

And MeanGreenTexas hit the nail on the head. That game against UT where I think they sacked Chris Simms like 6 times. Mack after the game was raving about Booger and that defense. We still lost like 28-0 or something.

Edited November 6, 2013 by SouthBendGreen

MeanGreenD · November 6, 2013

Dang, that is very impressive...sorry for forgetting something like that.

No disrespect to the D of the pasts. It's always been my favorite side of the ball. I think this D has a lot of guys that will be playing on Sundays starting with Orr & Trice. Also, I don't think it going anywhere. I love all the Skladany images on here...

Again, it's hard/unfair to compare, but it is nice to be able to hold something in such high regards to Booger & Co.

UTEP is starting a freshman QB so our boys need to feast in him like they did when USM tried to do the same thing. I did jump the gun as they still have 4/5 opportunities to cement their legacy or.............Go Mean Green!

oldguystudent · November 6, 2013

Did Booger get injured or something? I never saw him play, but from the stories, I can't imagine why he didn't go pro.

MeanGreenTexan · November 6, 2013

Did Booger get injured or something? I never saw him play, but from the stories, I can't imagine why he didn't go pro.

He got picked up by the Broncos as a UFA, but no one seems to want a 5'10" DT.

forevereagle · November 6, 2013

Did Booger get injured or something? I never saw him play, but from the stories, I can't imagine why he didn't go pro.

Long story there.

Cerebus · November 6, 2013

Laramie Lee is better than whomever was the SS.

Woah. Woah. Woah.

Craig Jones. The pride of Sinton, TX, and a two or three time All Conference player. I'll have to go back and check the media guides to be sure.

Craig Jones

--

249 TKL

10 TFL

2 INT

Laramie Lee*

--

126 TKL

3.5 TFL

3 INT

Now Lee has about half a year to add to his stats, but lets not forget what a great tandem the Bash Brothers were.

hickoryhouse · November 6, 2013

ah yes, the Bash Bros... amazing.

If this D can continue with this pace I think we have a legitimate competition here. This group wins games for us, and does it dramatically...

Either way, these guys are fun to watch and somewhere Hurd and Spencer and co. are enjoying watching this.

you know.... we could settle this debate with some ringers at the GMG.com bowl next year.....

MeanGreenTexan · November 6, 2013

Woah. Woah. Woah.

Craig Jones. The pride of Sinton, TX, and a two or three time All Conference player. I'll have to go back and check the media guides to be sure.

Craig Jones

--

249 TKL

10 TFL

2 INT

Laramie Lee*

--

126 TKL

3.5 TFL

3 INT

Now Lee has about half a year to add to his stats, but lets not forget what a great tandem the Bash Brothers were.

GrandGreen · November 6, 2013

Lets not get too carried away here. Lee and Trice are good, but no better than Buckles and Jones. Orr and company also are very good, but you are comparing them with a team that had two first team and one second team all conference lbs. In the defensive line there is no one remotely close to Kennedy or Awasom.

The 2003 team had 6 first team defensive players: Kennedy, Awasom, Spenser, Jones, Buckles and Hurd. Obviously, it was easier to make all conference than because of fewer teams but still amazing.

I like the current defense and if they continue to play like they have then I could rate them as good or even better than the 2003 group. However, it is not because they are as athletically gifted but because of the heart, intelligence and fire they play with.

SouthBendGreen · November 6, 2013

Woah. Woah. Woah.

Craig Jones. The pride of Sinton, TX, and a two or three time All Conference player. I'll have to go back and check the media guides to be sure.

Craig Jones

--

249 TKL

10 TFL

2 INT

Laramie Lee*

--

126 TKL

3.5 TFL

3 INT

Now Lee has about half a year to add to his stats, but lets not forget what a great tandem the Bash Brothers were.

WOW!!! How could I forget Craig Jones? I am embarrassed. After reading some more posts, yeah, I'm starting to think it isn't that close. That '02 defense was amazing.