I don't disagree that the defense is ultimately a reflection of Frost, which is why I found it bothersome at times last year when he would say things to the effect that the defense was not his department.
That said, this offense has never really been coupled with an elite defense, going back to Oregon before UCF, and while the reasons for that could be largely circumstantial, it is also clear that the offense handicaps the defense when it comes to time of possession. I suspect that figures into what Frost is willing to "settle" for in a defense, namely, a bend but don't break unit that is aggressive and may give up some big plays, but which ultimately wins the turnover battle and keeps the opposing team from scoring as many points as our offense.
This scheme is risky. Its contingent upon forcing turnovers, and making big plays at or behind the line of scrimmage. Theoretically, its supposed to create additional possessions for the offense. Its always going to bleed yards, and the occasional big play. Here's why it did not work in year one at Nebraska:
1. The Huskers lacked a true Nose. This position is an integral part of any 3-4 scheme, but within Chinander's scheme, the run game is funneled through this behemoth. His job is to engage interior offensive linemen in hand to hand combat. This keeps them off the linebackers allowing them to attack downhill. Nebraska was often exposed in the run game because they had to move one of the Davis twins inside. Teams often isolated Mohammed Barry because they knew Dedrick Young couldn't ever fight off a block. If any player ever needed a run stopper in front of him, it was Dedrick Young.
2. In order for the pass rush to work beyond the blitz game or coverage sacks from the DE's in the 3-4, the Outside Linebackers need to create havoc off the edge. When Frost arrived, the absence of pass rushers on this roster was appalling. They realized Gifford, Domann and Ty Ferguson were their best options. Doman unfortunately got hurt prior to the season and wasn't able to play until late October. Ferguson was hurt during the Colorado game and made very little impact until the last month of the season. Alex Davis is a marginal Big Ten player despite nice measurables, and Caleb Tannor wasn't big enough yet to make an impact at this level.
3. The safeties need to be big and physical in run support. This was problematic for a couple of reasons in 2018. Aaron Williams was arguably the smallest starting safety in the Big Ten. Antonio Reed definitely had the necessary size and athleticism, but also had a 10 cent brain. He was a mental break down or a penalty waiting to happen. Tre Neal knew the scheme and was big enough, but simply not athletic enough for nearly a full season of Power 5 competition. Dismuke and Deontai Williams meet the necessary size and athleticism now... However, Deontai was new to the scheme and only arrived last Summer. He was behind until mid season when he started to play a lot. Dismuke also began to earn more reps later in the season, but Marquel's problem has always been weight gain. When he got to Lincoln he was 6'2 170. He will finally be closer to 210 when the season starts.
So how will the defense be improved in 2019?
1. - Derrion Daniels changes a lot up front. Its also year two of Damion Daniels who needed to get acclimated to Power 5 endurance.
2. You won't see the need for the Davis Twins to move inside as much, especially on run downs or goal line situations. Keep in mind the twins were also often exposed inside because they rarely got much rest on the outside.
3. There were a handful of games last season at times where the defensive front 7 played with only 10 viable players:
- Freedom
- Kahlil Davis
- Carlos Davis
- Ben Stille
- Alex Davis
- Dedrick Young
- Mo Barry
- Luke Gifford
- Caleb Tannor - freshman only played a few snaps per game
- Damion Daniels - freshman limited to maybe 10 to 12 snaps per game
Now they suddenly go with the following:
SDE - Ben Stille / Deontre Thomas/ Casey Rogers
NT - Derrion Daniels/ Damion Daniels/ Carlos Davis
WDE- Kahlil Davis/ Carlos Davis/ Tate Wildeman
*Jakheem Green (Yes, I do believe he ends up in Lincoln.)
SOLB - JoJo Doman/ Caleb Tannor/ Garret Nelson
WOLB - Ty Ferguson/ Alex Davis/ Jamin Green or Jordan Paup
ILB - Mo Barry/ Colin Miller
ILB - Will Honas/ Colin Miller or Jackson Hannah
4. The Safeties, Dismuke and Deontai, will be much more athletic and suited for this scheme. I am very effusive about this duo as they will both benefit from having a full year in this scheme with this coaching staff. Their predecessors didn't really have that luxury outside of Tre Neal, and Neal was not really a Big Ten caliber athlete.
If you want to see this defense do its job you will need to see the following:
- less than 23 points allowed per game.
- finish the season with 30+ sacks and more than 70+ tackles for loss.
- create at least 15 turnovers on the season.
Those three stats go hand in hand.
What you can't do with this scheme is the following:
- Fail to execute big passing plays (I'm looking at you Stanley Morgan- Mr. Dropsie).
- Give up huge plays scoring or big yardage on Special teams.
- commit dumb penalties creating negative yardage for your offense.
- commit turnovers deep inside your territory.