Maybe the Press previously asked this question to MF, but I would love to hear his response to --
Coach: With respect to the defense, given the fact that the core of the defense is back, what is your assessment of the play so far considering that 9+ months ago, the defense against OSU, PSU, GA and Indiana played exceptionally well? What could be the issue(s)??
Replies to: Maybe the Press previously asked this question to MF, but I would love to hear his response to --
The best leaders put their people in positions to succeed
You take advantage of strengths and minimize opportunities for weakness to be exploited. With the personnel they have on defense, they can’t execute the way it is designed. So the design needs to change. This was a defense that generated pressure with linebackers last year which made up for our lack of edge rushers. We are now trying to apply pressure with an undersized line. When we ran twists and moved their O line around, we seemed to get some success, but when we let the QB set up with just a straight rush, we got torn apart.
I would disagree that the "core" of the defense is back.
I'm not defending the play of the defense but he "core" of the defense in 2024 was Kizer, Watts, Cross, and Mills. Between the 4 of them, there is a combined 22 years of college football. That is not easily replaced. While this team may be more talented than last year, it is not as experienced as the '24 team.
It was clear to me being at the game and seeing things you don't see on tv that the defense looked lost and unorganized in the 1st half. Yes that is on the coaches but they simply don't have those 4 guys around who by instinct knew how to set up the defense and react to what is happening on the field that is not easily replaced.
Don’t disagree with your point. Would we have seen a similar product if Golden was still here?
Just gauging your evaluation of the coaching vs lost talent problems respectively.
Golden was also a part of the "core" of the defense.
It is logical to assume the defense would be better with Golden.
But the problem is bigger for me than just the DC.
People note that there is not enough pressure on the QB as a big part of the problem, but Freeman and Golden's philosophy is to rely on a 4-man rush as its core approach, so the defensive approach hasn't changed.
The players -- and the DC -- have.
I agree. Double whammy of sorts with Golden leaving & personnel issues.
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