UT(MAC Ranking '06):
Scoring Defense #10
Passing Defense #7
Total Defense#7
K/O Returns #7
Punt Returns#11
Turnover Margin #9
Sacks By #8
Sacks Against #8
Passing Offense #8
Penalties#11
Opp.4th Down Conversions #12
Red Zone Defense#7
I'd have to think that if the offense gets back on track that the defense would have to improve. The offense was so bad that they turned the ball over and gave the defense a very short field to protect.
Punt returns can't get any worse. I am not going to miss minus 1 yard returns...that's for sure!
I agree. I think we have a good combination of size and speed on defense, but they were on the field too long and put in bad positions last year. We don't need a great qb, we just need good, solid play at that position and I fully expect we'll get that. Please don't say "things can't get worse" in any area because I find when I do, God always proves me wrong. It would be nice to see better punt returns this year.
The only reason I can think of why they didn't make a change at PR last season is maybe they didn't have somebody they trusted catching the ball. I suppose no return is better than a turnover.
I believe that in 06 no single QB got enough work with the #1 offense to get their timing with receivers right. If one QB is chosen, and they get the time to get in sync with receivers, the team will be tough to beat.
I think that Cochran should be #1 with Opelt coming in only on obvious run situations (like Fla did last year).
Also, I hope Summers is used more times (like last year) on 4th down situations where he has a run/throw/kick option. That seemed to work great but was only used once or twice.
I hoped to see Summers used in that way more as well. What happened with that?
Opelt was just thrown into the fire. I'm sure glad we had him, but with so much of our OL on crutches he never had the time to work on the timing. And, remember, Nick Moore had a preseason injury and didn't get into the mix until later.
I was bored a couple nights ago so I stuck in my tape of the Kansas game. Clint's first couple passes made divots. Then, it seemed like he no more than got warmed up and he started having trouble with his knee. Parmele was no help what-so-ever letting defenders blow right by him just like he did at WMU--dude blocks like a grade school girl. The biggest thing with Clint this year might be his health. I hope that knee will be good to go--and go the distance.
I'm sure they will decide on a primary starter, but it's nice that we have two good QB's with different strengths. I just hope Clint doesn't lose his confidence if he doesn't get the nod this year. He's very good and could easily ignite the offense of Opelt were to run into trouble.
It's going to be interesting to see which way the coaches go.
We lost a few games just on dropped passes. CATCH THE BALL!!
I can hardly wait until the season starts.
