What plays did the defense make when they needed to against Ohio State and Marshall?? They made a play when they needed to against BYU as a result of putting themselves into a position they shouldn't have been in to begin with. They kept Cal in the game until the end and survived by luck. North Carolina? Fortunately, they never needed to really make a play in that game. And it's a good thing they didn't. I am so sick of the excuses being made for a defense that is so fundamentally erratic and has played so far below their potential. Talent wise they have 6 guys starting on defense who were being touted as potential NFL draft picks this year. 10 of their 11 starters have significant experience. Yet Ohio St. and Marshall ran the ball down their throats on extended drives at critical points in the game, They couldn't get off the field against Cal on 3rd and 4th downs, and they gave gift touchdowns away against North Carolina and BYU. Good defenses don't do this shit.
With all the struggles the offense has had early on, if the defense showed up and played to their supposed potential, I can make a case for them being undefeated. In both the Ohio Sate and Marshall games they had leads in the second half that the defense not only couldn't hold, but against Ohio St. couldn't even give the offense a shot at winning the game in the end.