We've just finished the toughest 3 game stretch that I can ever remember for our Tigers. Who would have thought a road game at Kentucky would mean facing the #6 ranked team in the Nation after the Florida game? Thank goodness we have a week off to get ready for the 4th ranked team in a row. Our defense started out the season as dominate as I've ever seen. Then the injuries started with 3 tough games. Injuries on offense played out meaning more time on the field for our defense. With 2 weeks to rest and focus on the Bama game what can we expect from our defense? I hope we see a smothering hungry bunch of Tigers on D. We can now focus on a short 4 game stretch to end the season. With our pitiful red zone stats our defensive players pride should be hurt. I'm expecting a shut out of no offensive TD's for Bama with maybe 2 field goals. What do you see our defensive doing? If each player wins his individual battle come Saturday, we win! :lsup:
We will definitely need to do some different things scheme wise to protect against the short passes. Other teams are getting mismatches and gashing us up the middle. I'm surprised we haven't adjusted since this was exposed against Tulane.
An actual football discussion? Probably won't get the same response as our rumor-mongering, enotionally judgemental threads but it is refreshing to see a football question on a football forum. I would certainly like to see more stunts and blitz packages in this game and I can't say I am too fond of our conerbacks giving cushion to WR's instead of jamming them on the line and taking them off their timing. Not sure why this has changed, I suppose it could be due to performance or injuries. I can't really say. We sure as heck have to get better pressure on the QB and I think it's foolish to rely upon the front four to do it every down. Makes us a bit predictable and puts our defense in reactionairy mode, which usually adds up to yardage for the other team. It would be nice to see their opponents offense guessing this game, like Va Tech admitted they were doing. I think all the coaches realize what's at stake and how important each game is to the season. This certainly could shut the critics up for awhile if they step up on the road now.
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I've been wondering the same thing. What better way to break up the timing on a route and give the DL a little more time to get pressure. If we can't stay with them once they take off on a slant, bump 'em and hold 'em up a little.
A lot of it goes back to Pelini's trust in the defensive line. I think part of the reason the corners stay off is due to the safeties ability to move laterally. They are much better going north-south.
I think a lot of the defensive problems stem from the offensive side of the ball. If we can get off to a good start offensively and hold the ball, win the field position battle and let the defense play with the lead then that takes a lot of pressure of the defense. No question the defense has missed plenty of assignments, etc. but the offense hasn't made it easy on them. Too many three and outs by the offense leads to a defense on its heels.
Valid point, if we are talking about the conditioning of the players at the end of the game. Not getting any sacks or even a single qb hurry vs Kentucky is unacceptable. Florida got six sacks against them the following week. I don't think their defense is the equal of ours but they did have success against a team that we failed to stop. We had better learn from that.
Yes, I agree. In our first few games the offense started fast and the defense was able to be more aggressive and take more chances because they were playing with a lead. The last three games have been so close, with the Tigers having to come from behind, that the defense had to be somewhat cautious. It helps, too, when the offense can at least change field position so the opponent starts deeper in their own territory. Hopefully this week the offense can get off to a good start and put some points on the board EARLY and often. Then the defense can have some fun! ldskule:
