re: Defense Expectations

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Still don’t think the personnel is there for a top 15 defense.

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Not even close. We could have both Saban and Kirby come be Co-DCs and they couldn't turn the guys we played with this year into a top 15 defense. And now Wingo and Jefferson won't be back.

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With good coaching at top 30-50 defense is doable.

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Maybe. But we can be a good defense and it not be reflected in rankings like it used to, because the Big 10's terrible offenses skew them so bad. Seems like half of the top 20 ranked defenses this year were from the Big 10. And, while some were good, they weren't as good as their rankings because they played 8-9 games against really bad offenses. Even Michigan, who's got a pretty good offense, played a conservative style that didn't lend itself to racking up a bunch of yards. Because they didn't have to.

I just don't think total defensive rankings is a great way to judge a defense because of the different schedules teams play. Points per game, 3rd down %, yards per play, SEC rankings--those are better indicators, I think. And we'll be able to tell with our eyes.

But back to personnel. We need to add another portal guy or 2 at DT and/or CB, we need the young guys that played like Toviano, Wommack, Jaxon Howard, Stamps, Weeks, Hughes, etc..to take big steps up before September, and we need some of the incoming freshmen to be ready to contribute early, at the very least for depth. We'll definitely be better on defense next year--how could we be worse? But I think '25 is the year we're ready to seriously contend for a NC. I think we could possibly sneak into the 12-team playoffs next year, but '25 sets up for us being really, really good.