Who will have the best defense in the Sun Belt?
stAte should be pretty good in the second year under John Thompson.
Who has what coming back?
if our d line is at all competent, WKU.
(07-17-2013 08:02 PM)TOPPERSonTOP Wrote: [ -> ]if our d line is at all competent, WKU.
Why do you think WKU will be better defensively than stAte or ULM?
You can't quote last year's stats to prove or disprove anything for this year.
I wouldn't use it to gauge what TXST might do this year because of the players we have coming in (RS, JUCO's transfers that sat) and more experience; so I wouldn't put stock in stats.
Let them play it out, then we'll see.
I realize it's a speculative thread but we just don't know right now. I certainly see TXST being a hell of a lot better.
(07-17-2013 08:07 PM)WinstonTheWolf Wrote: [ -> ]2012 team statistics: http://www.sunbeltsports.org/portals/0/c...m#conf.wt2
South Alabama.
Second last year in total defense with nine starters returning. New coordinator actually helped the old one design defenses and actually knows how to coach zone in the secondary.
(07-17-2013 08:05 PM)WinstonTheWolf Wrote: [ -> ]Why do you think WKU will be better defensively than stAte or ULM?
ULM has a good run defense, but their secondary was pretty bad last year. You can look at the Baylor/Ohio games last year as an example. But, if they happen to improve at that position this year, I could see them being one of the top defenses (in conference).
(07-17-2013 08:18 PM)CatMom Wrote: [ -> ]You can't quote last year's stats to prove or disprove anything for this year.
I wouldn't use it to gauge what TXST might do this year because of the players we have coming in (RS, JUCO's transfers that sat) and more experience; so I wouldn't put stock in stats.
Let them play it out, then we'll see.
I realize it's a speculative thread but we just don't know right now. I certainly see TXST being a hell of a lot better.
last year's stats are a logical starting point - adjusting for lost players and coaches should lead to a reasonable discussion.
(07-17-2013 08:22 PM)tyler90wm Wrote: [ -> ] (07-17-2013 08:05 PM)WinstonTheWolf Wrote: [ -> ]Why do you think WKU will be better defensively than stAte or ULM?
ULM has a good run defense, but their secondary was pretty bad last year. You can look at the Baylor/Ohio games last year as an example. But, if they happen to improve at that position this year, I could see them being one of the top defenses (in conference).
ULM has a boatload of players back. That scares me.
WKU's back 7 should be the best in the Belt (with two players that will be playing on Sundays), BUT the D Line is a huge question mark losing all four starters.
Linebacker
We return everyone.
Andrew Jackson is rated as the #1 Inside Linebacker in the country according to NFL Draft Scout. Jackson had 122 tackles (17.5 for loss) last year.
Xavius Boyd led the team in tackles in four games (77 tackles on the year, 7.5 for loss).
Bar'ee Boyd returning starter who had 6.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks
Secondary
Return everyone including back-ups at every position that saw significant playing time. Probably should be the strongest unit on the team. Very deep and talented. I won't list them all but here are the two starting safeties.
Jonathan Dowling rated as the best safety in the country coming out of high school and a transfer from Florida, Dowling didn't disappoint for the Tops in his first year. He was 5th in the country with 6 interceptions and recorded 68 tackles. He is rated as the #6 Free Safety in the country by NFL Draft Scout.
Kiante Young 83 tackles and 7 pass break ups last year. The tackles being tied for second on the team from the strong safety spot.
Defensive Line
Lost all starters, but return several players with experience and have some strong JUCOs coming in.
Gaving Rocker started a few games last year at DE. Ended up with three sacks and four tackles for loss. Has explosive speed off of the end. Could be very good this year.
We also have three or four guys competing at the DT spots who are HUGE. Should have some big guys clogging the middle.
If these guys can be even adequate the WKU defense will be stout this year. Best in the belt? I guess time will tell us, but I like our back 7 an awful lot.
Arkansas State has the best defensive front
Western Kentucky has the best defensive back
South Alabama returns the best total defense
Georgia State will probably have the best defense.
(07-18-2013 12:45 AM)chiefsfan Wrote: [ -> ]Arkansas State has the best defensive front
Western Kentucky has the best defensive back
South Alabama returns the best total defense
Georgia State will probably have the best defense.
And TXST the best Special Teams
(07-18-2013 12:53 AM)CatMom Wrote: [ -> ] (07-18-2013 12:45 AM)chiefsfan Wrote: [ -> ]Arkansas State has the best defensive front
Western Kentucky has the best defensive back
South Alabama returns the best total defense
Georgia State will probably have the best defense.
And TXST the best Special Teams
There you go.
Point is, with two new teams in the league, its hard to gauge who will be the best at what. The next 2 years are going to be sort of like starting fresh. We wont know enough about each other to make accurate decisions.
(07-18-2013 12:57 AM)chiefsfan Wrote: [ -> ] (07-18-2013 12:53 AM)CatMom Wrote: [ -> ] (07-18-2013 12:45 AM)chiefsfan Wrote: [ -> ]Arkansas State has the best defensive front
Western Kentucky has the best defensive back
South Alabama returns the best total defense
Georgia State will probably have the best defense.
And TXST the best Special Teams
There you go.
Point is, with two new teams in the league, its hard to gauge who will be the best at what. The next 2 years are going to be sort of like starting fresh. We wont know enough about each other to make accurate decisions.
ULM returns the most starts of anyone in the country. We actually return 11 true starters in defense with the return of Kentarius Caldwell and LB Cameron Blake's, a 5th year Senior who is probably our best defensive player. Run defense is stout. The real question is whether we have improved out defensive back field. Word is we have with moving DC Refett to coaching them, etc. I'll believe it when I see it though.
(07-18-2013 11:37 AM)Arrowhead Wrote: [ -> ] (07-18-2013 12:57 AM)chiefsfan Wrote: [ -> ] (07-18-2013 12:53 AM)CatMom Wrote: [ -> ] (07-18-2013 12:45 AM)chiefsfan Wrote: [ -> ]Arkansas State has the best defensive front
Western Kentucky has the best defensive back
South Alabama returns the best total defense
Georgia State will probably have the best defense.
And TXST the best Special Teams
There you go.
Point is, with two new teams in the league, its hard to gauge who will be the best at what. The next 2 years are going to be sort of like starting fresh. We wont know enough about each other to make accurate decisions.
ULM returns the most starts of anyone in the country. We actually return 11 true starters in defense with the return of Kentarius Caldwell and LB Cameron Blake's, a 5th year Senior who is probably our best defensive player. Run defense is stout. The real question is whether we have improved out defensive back field. Word is we have with moving DC Refett to coaching them, etc. I'll believe it when I see it though.
With one safety returning who was a starter in 2011 and lost last year due to academics, plus the presence of a pair experienced defensive tackles, USA actually has starting experience at every position on defense. With two first-team all-conference players and the returning second ranked defense statistically, USA has a great chance to lead the conference this year.
(07-18-2013 12:45 AM)chiefsfan Wrote: [ -> ]Arkansas State has the best defensive front
Western Kentucky has the best defensive back
South Alabama returns the best total defense
Georgia State will probably have the best defense.
Who has the best defense?
South Alabama or Georgia State?
(07-19-2013 06:32 PM)GoApps70 Wrote: [ -> ] (07-18-2013 12:45 AM)chiefsfan Wrote: [ -> ]Arkansas State has the best defensive front
Western Kentucky has the best defensive back
South Alabama returns the best total defense
Georgia State will probably have the best defense.
Who has the best defense?
South Alabama or Georgia State?
Texas State
(07-18-2013 12:45 AM)chiefsfan Wrote: [ -> ]Arkansas State has the best defensive front
Western Kentucky has the best defensive back
South Alabama returns the best total defense
Georgia State will probably have the best defense.
Well given that we got rid of John Thompson for Jesse Minter at DC, yes.
(07-22-2013 06:44 AM)panama Wrote: [ -> ] (07-18-2013 12:45 AM)chiefsfan Wrote: [ -> ]Arkansas State has the best defensive front
Western Kentucky has the best defensive back
South Alabama returns the best total defense
Georgia State will probably have the best defense.
Well given that we got rid of John Thompson for Jesse Minter at DC, yes.
Not only i JT the only stAte head coach to win a D1 bowl game - he is also the only stAte head coach to beat a top 25 team.
JT isn't head coaching material, but the players love him. He and DL coach Steve Caldwell together have a TON of SEC experience. stAte's defense is in GREAT hands!
JT is a mess as a DC. Saw it in person for 3 years