Obviously NU has played more than 11 guys on D over the years, but it's clear that Rhule wants a more adaptable defense that offers varying personnel groupings.
If we’re playing the same 11 guys on defense all game, I’m going to lose my mind.
- Thread starter inWV
- Start date
Every year under chin
"We're going to play more guys, sub more. Have a lot more depth this year."
Starters then play basically every snap, other than on the DL, outside of injury.
"We're going to play more guys, sub more. Have a lot more depth this year."
Starters then play basically every snap, other than on the DL, outside of injury.
And we watched them wear down and make mistakes towards the end of games…
I hope this means they're going to adapt their personnel to the opponents instead of staying in a base defense the entire game. Watching slow linebackers matched up against speedy WRs for 4 quarters will never not be frustrating.
Every coach says this going into every season, whether it's out loud or not. Then the season comes and you only trust so many guys.
Scheme is so overrated on defense. Its about talent, personnel, and depth. That's not to say coaching, a coaches feel for the game, or preparation isn't important. But at this level, its about talent.
Defensive Players sent to the NFL from Big Ten West Teams the last 4 seasons:
Gophers - 7
Purdue 7 + 2 likely defensive draft picks in 2023
Iowa - 10+ 4 likely defensive draft picks in 2023
Wisconsin - 10 +3 likely defensive draft picks in 2023
Northwestern - 3 +2 likely defensive draft picks in 2023
Illinois - 8 + 4 likely defensive draft picks in 2023
Nebraska - 5
Only Northwestern has produced less defensive talent than Nebraska in the last 4 seasons. However, Northwestern had more dudes drafted.
Rhule didn't say White won't use just 11 players, he said if he does Rhule will lose his mind. So there is a possibility, however remote that they play 11 and Matt goes crazy.
Talent is important but when teams play each other with equal or similar talent, coaching becomes important and that includes which has a better Scheme.
Not going to discount scheme, but I often wonder about adjustments. How quickly do you identify what an offense is doing to you and then make changes?
It's quite interesting that NU has been top or second in recruiting in the B1G West basically since they joined the league and generally behind only tOSU, PSU and Michigan from the East. And yet the play has been mediocre and fewer players make the league. So either a bunch of folks who get payed to to evaluate talent from all of the services have been wrong about NU classes for years, or NU has had coaching staffs going back to Riley that have had lower than needed expectations from the players. Shitty coaching and inadequate development produce players that don't look good on tape for NFL evaluators. Unless Rhule is lying to us, he is OK with the level of talent he has.
I think it's a combination.
Rhule seems like a pretty positive guy. I'm sure he wants the talent and athleticism upgraded. He's just smart enough to not say it publicly.
I never really payed attention to substitution patterns back in the day. For 25+ years we won enough I never thought about it. Whoever played was wearing red and white and they all took most teams to the woodshed.
