I think it's true on the offense. We're starting a very young offensive team, running a different offense with a different OC, RB coach and WR coach from last year. Look at the guys we started for Washington:
QB - Sophomore
RB1 - Junior
RB2, 3 & 4 - true Freshmen
LT - SR
LG - JR (first start of career)
C - SR
RG - SO
RT - true Freshman
TE1 & 2 - Juniors
WR X - Redshirt Freshman
WR Z - SO
WR A - true Freshman
That is a YOUNG offense. Two Seniors, three/four Juniors (depending on the set) and a bunch of Sophomores and Freshmen.
On defense I don't see many excuses for the D Line. I know we've had the whole playbook emptied on us from the last two opponents, and that Bo's defense isn't a "pin your ears back and blast 'em" kind of defense, but even still, we've given up a BUNCH of first downs and yards that guys of this caliber shouldn't be giving up. I doubt very seriously if they're holding back - I think it's simple underperformance.
The LB corps features one guy who missed all of last year with a broken leg, who is still clearly concerned about it, another who missed half of last season with a foot injury and who still seems tentative, and David who is having a fine enough year so far, but isn't the brilliant guy we saw late last year. I'll give these guys a break to a large degree - there's more going on here than just lining up and playing football. They're also adjusting to a new position coach, which may mean some things are getting lost in translation.
The secondary was shelled by the NFL draft, they lost their position coach, then they lost Dennard. The fact that we're in the top 50 in the nation at this point, especially after all the looks and schemes teams have thrown at us, is amazing. This is a young bunch as well, and they're playing without the best cover corner in the country.
Overall, I'd say we're seeing a mix of youth, poor play (by the D Line) and unfamiliar schemes. Combine that with three teams for whom we are THE GAME, at least in their non-conference schedule, and you get some uncomfortable results. We're by no means dominant, but we are very young, and there is definitely hope for the future.