Young is a fact. You're going to make stupid mistakes because we're green in every phase of the game. 11 underclass men left. Both kickers brand new, the entire line is basically in a new spot that has to be learned, most of our defensive backfield is young. It's simply the truth.
They are still pretty dominant: a look at the TCU defense, which returns 9 starters from last year: Total Defense 2012 -- #16 in NCAA 2011 -- #32 in NCAA 2010 -- #1 in NCAA 2009 -- #1 in NCAA 2008 -- #1 in NCAA 2007 -- #15 in NCAA Rushing Yards Allowed Per Carry 2012 -- #12 in NCAA (3.25 YPC) 2011 -- #27 in NCAA (3.52 YPC) 2010 -- #10 in NCAA (3.31 YPC) 2009 -- #2 in NCAA (2.59 YPC) 2008 -- #1 in NCAA (1.72 YPC) 2007 -- #8 in NCAA (2.92 YPC) Rushing Yards Allowed Per Game 2012 -- #10 in NCAA 2011 -- #25 in NCAA 2010 -- #5 in NCAA 2009 -- #3 in NCAA 2008 -- #1 in NCAA 2007 -- #11 in NCAA Pass Efficiency D 2012 --#26 in NCAA 2011 -- #65 in NCAA 2010 -- #1 in NCAA 2009 -- #4 in NCAA 2008 -- #4 in NCAA 2007 -- #11 in NCAA Opposing QB Completion Pct 2012 -- #9 in NCAA (53.2%) 2011 -- #36 in NCAA (57.2%) 2010 -- #1 in NCAA (48.6%) 2009 -- #2 in NCAA (47.4%) 2008 -- #1 in NCAA (50.3%) 2007 -- #16 in NCAA (53.9%) First Downs Allowed Per Game 2012 -- #8 in NCAA (17.0) 2011 -- #28 in NCAA (17.8) 2010 -- #1 in NCAA (12.0) 2009 -- #1 in NCAA (12.4) 2008 -- #1 in NCAA (12.1) 2007 -- #14 in NCAA (17.5) Opponent 3rd Down Conversions 2012 -- #7 in NCAA (29.95%) 2011 -- #44 in NCAA (37.50%) 2010 -- #1 in NCAA (24.10%) 2009 -- #2 in NCAA (26.80%) 2008 -- #5 in NCAA (28.74%) 2007 -- #10 in NCAA (32.09%) Opponent Red Zone Conversions -- % of Touch Downs Allowed 2012 -- #12 in NCAA (47.37%) 2011 -- #15 in NCAA (48.39%) 2010 -- #74 in NCAA (63.16%) 2009 -- #28 in NCAA (50.00%) 2008 --#5 in NCAA (45.45%) 2007 --#1 in NCAA (39.47%) Plays of Plus-Ten Yards Allowed 2012 -- #15 in NCAA 2011 -- #6 in NCAA 2010 -- #1 in NCAA 2009 -- n/a 2008 -- n/a 2007 -- n/a Kickoff return D 2012 -- #16 in NCAA (18.66) 2011 -- #50 in NCAA (20.99) 2010 -- #28 in NCAA (20.33) 2009 -- #21 in NCAA (19.73) 2008 -- #25 in NCAA (19.11) 2007 -- #4 in NCAA (17.32)
Not saying they are shit, just saying they aren't the OMG top defense in the nation that has been said all night on tv, and repeated here a ton.
Last year we had much more experience but the same drive killing excuses. I get mistakes will be made by young teams but still, this is too much. Also, Miles has to step up his end of the half coaching. If he has more focus, so will the team. I think LSU could surprise some people if they just tighten up a bit.