I'm going to say 90% of what he writes is pretty much crap. I'm not trying to give d!(k, I mean Dirk, any more run, but there are some questions that have to be asked.
What is our identity? Are we going to pound the rock and play great D? Are we going to run a spread mixing pass and run with a bend but don't break defense?
When I was younger, hell when we all were younger, we knew what we were going to see. Stifling defenses and an offensive juggernaut that by the 3rd quarter had the opposing D sucking wind, crying for it's mother. That was orchestrated by one of the all time great college coaches. Is Bo that coach? We're still finding out, and I'm not so sure if he's not trying to do the same.
I know that the college football landscape has changed, and that what worked 20 years ago, probably won't work as well now due to kids athletic abilities just being insane. But that's where you have to find your niche, and the ability to adapt, improvise and overcome. It's pretty obvious where the weaknesses are, but does Bo have the will and desire to make those changes? If not, then there will probably be more frustration, but if he does fix what is broken, then he's got a chance...
The thing that made us great was what you described above. Solid, butt kicking D and an offense that would run it down your throat. Nothing you could do to stop it. The D actually became stifling when we truly went after speed. To beat a dead horse, McBride said they went after 3 things in this order: Speed, ability to tackle and size. Speed and the fundamental skill of tackling trumped size. Look no further than David to see this effect.
Watching Ou and A&M is like night and day compared to our D. Plays on the ball in the air, speed and an uncanny ability to tackle in space and not miss.
Ultimately until we become great at the basics, ie tackling, penalties and ball control we are doomed. An average athletic team with sound basics, IMO will always beat a superior athletic team that misses tackles, blocks, gets penalties and turns the ball over. The NU teams of old were not stacked with modern day 5 star kids. They were sure tacklers and played to the best of their abilities and were sound in the basics.
The bolded above is a look at Bama, ND, Wisky, SC, Stanford etc.... Solid D, pound the ball and run you into submission.