[d4cohn]

I think a point, that may have been mentioned previously, but is important to consider in the context of our defense, is that
our defense, in order to be most effective, has to stylistically complement our offense. I.e. If we play up-tempo spread offense,
the defense should expect to be on the field for a longer period of time each game, and as such, I would probably emphasize
speed/endurance over size/strength to a degree. Likewise, if you play the type of offense we played from 2010-2014, ball control,
run football, bleed clock etc., a bigger defense with maybe not the same level of speed/endurance might work well.

As our style of football has changed offensively, particularly with the big change this year, our defense has had to adapt. Our defense
is on the field longer now than previously (at least when we optimally executed our strategy from 2010-2014), so I don't think the level of performance previously seen by the defense is realistic. By the same token, the offense is far scoring more points, so we perhaps don't
need that level of defensive performance to win games. Not saying we don't need to improve on defense, but expecting a 2012-2014 defense
with our new offensive philosophy may not be realistic. 

Our defense was generally good enough against lesser competition (UCLA game aside, when we really only gave up 35 points on defense). However, against good-to-elite competition, the defense wasn't good enough. In particular, I thought our middle linebackers, and a potential lack of speed, got exposed against that level of competition. We couldn't keep up with receivers in the middle of the field.

[d4cohn]

I think a point, that may have been mentioned previously, but is important to consider in the context of our defense, is that
our defense, in order to be most effective, has to stylistically complement our offense. I.e. If we play up-tempo spread offense,
the defense should expect to be on the field for a longer period of time each game, and as such, I would probably emphasize
speed/endurance over size/strength to a degree. Likewise, if you play the type of offense we played from 2010-2014, ball control,
run football, bleed clock etc., a bigger defense with maybe not the same level of speed/endurance might work well.

As our style of football has changed offensively, particularly with the big change this year, our defense has had to adapt. Our defense
is on the field longer now than previously (at least when we optimally executed our strategy from 2010-2014), so I don't think the level of performance previously seen by the defense is realistic. By the same token, the offense is far scoring more points, so we perhaps don't
need that level of defensive performance to win games. Not saying we don't need to improve on defense, but expecting a 2012-2014 defense
with our new offensive philosophy may not be realistic. 

Our defense was generally good enough against lesser competition (UCLA game aside, when we really only gave up 35 points on defense). However, against good-to-elite competition, the defense wasn't good enough. In particular, I thought our middle linebackers, and a potential lack of speed, got exposed against that level of competition. We couldn't keep up with receivers in the middle of the field.