Defensive staff/ash coaching, scheme, development, communication, motivation are the biggest issue. With that said, I expect to learn a lot about our individual ability on the defensive side this weekend. We played two good/really good teams that exposed our weaknesses. Are they truly weaknesses by individual players or were Miami and A&Ms players just that much better going against us at those specific spots/plays. Obviously, our coaching didn't help or put us in better spots to protect our weaknesses.
Dline - Coaches and players stated how good and deep our dline is, and freeman said the middle of the line going into fall camp was his biggest concern, but they've exceeded expectations in fall camp - then games started - the Dline hasn't done anything
Botelho/Traore - Not themselves yet, not overly explosive
Young - Miami he didn't play much when we needed pressure, then A&M our dline was asked to contain (that didn't work)
Interior Dline - Freeman hyped onye up big time, he's been ok, hinish has been terrible, dawson has been the best interior with rubio serviceable
Bowen - He's been average at best to start the season, and probably as bad as you can be in coverage for a LB. KVA needs to take over his spot
Gray - His rebound year has been a continuous decline instead.
Did ND just happen to play two great Olines with Top WRs or do we have major personnel issues as well?
If our dline isn't whipping purdue, and we don't make a bunch of plays in the secondary vs purdue it will be clear it's not only coaching but we have major issues personnel wise (to be championship caliber).