And every time a subject like this comes up I wonder if we're trying to teach trigonometry to remedial math students? I'm sure Bo wasn't born yesterday and they do a little of everything depending on the situation and opponent, also that there are a heck of a lot of freshmen playing at the same time, but they don't seem to get what they're doing most of the time and you wonder if some players are even capable of understanding all the different variables?Enhance89 said:The scheme isn't that much of a problem, more so the missed assignments are. We've seen this defense work but that's when the players were upholding their responsibilities. But, as Pelini commented today, we had eight guys in the box on one play and gave up a big run. Guys just flat out aren't doing what they're supposed to.
Some of the more unfortunate statistics I've heard today - Nebraska is giving up 8 yards per play on first down and allowing opponents to get a first down, on 1st and 10, 35% of the time.
Both of you are hitting on the same thing. Most speculation is that we don't have the players capable of making the plays from an athletic standpoint. While I definitely agree with that to an extent, I really struggle with our defenses being as bad as they've been. Everybody expected growing pains this year, for example, but the defensive performances we've seen so far should not have happened - period. We have the talent, even if it's inexperienced, to play better than we have been. Not significantly better, but we definitely have the skill to be average, at the least.This defense has been bad for 3 years. It is Bo's fault. A leader cannot let bad trends continue.
From my own perceptions, I think a lot of people agree that this all falls on the coaches. I don't know where the disconnect started from a year like 2009 to today, but like I said, I definitely think we have the players (even right now) to be playing better football. So, it either means the scheme needs to be dumbed down until these guys can effectively execute it, or the coaches need to find ways to get these guys taking what they do in practice in putting it on the field.
When you hear coaches say they're telling players what to do and preparing for specific situations in practice, and then those situations consistently backfire on them in a game setting, there's obviously some disconnect.