Te'o/Gray >>>>>> Rest of the D

[Pohaku]

Exactly, and its "schematic" that they're on the field so long...the Kelly offense is emphatically not about ball possession. Our defense is actually doing just fine, according to the Kelly system. It's our offense that's the trouble...we have yet to break 30 points in regulation. This is ok if you're a coach whose team is consistently top 5 in the NCAA in ball possession (say, Charlie Weis) but its TERRIBLE if you run a high tempo offense and your coach ranked last in the NCAA in ball possession last year (Brian Kelly).

Blaming our defense right now is like blaming the field medics that people died on D-day. Sure, maybe every once in a while they screw up, but their role was not to be perfect. It's our own big guns that have to start firing.

Great post! Nolan pointed out to Kelly in the interview today that the defense allowed only 39% on 3rd down conversions.

 

[Jerry]

I think the defense has played well but they have to stop giving up huge plays. It's tough enough to win games, but these 50+ yd runs are killing us.

 

[RDU Irish]

The D is fine and has many good players other than Teo and Gray. EJ, Carlo, Ian Williams, KLM are all playing well.

Our problems with big runs almost always involve Zeke or B. Smith taking the wrong angle or being out of position.

This

The chain is only as strong as the weakest link, grasshopper.

 

[GoIrish41]

Exactly, and its "schematic" that they're on the field so long...the Kelly offense is emphatically not about ball possession. Our defense is actually doing just fine, according to the Kelly system. It's our offense that's the trouble...we have yet to break 30 points in regulation. This is ok if you're a coach whose team is consistently top 5 in the NCAA in ball possession (say, Charlie Weis) but its TERRIBLE if you run a high tempo offense and your coach ranked last in the NCAA in ball possession last year (Brian Kelly).

Blaming our defense right now is like blaming the field medics that people died on D-day. Sure, maybe every once in a while they screw up, but their role was not to be perfect. It's our own big guns that have to start firing.

I can only partially agree with you. While the offense is streaky, it seems to break down too often and therefore lacks consistency. Same with the defense. They have shown solid play and major meltdowns that have resulted in huge plays against them. So, while I don't fully agree with you, the analogy above was excellent for your point.