Banker said Illinois came out and did some things we didn't expect early and had to adjust. I understand that, but it wasn't stuff they hadn't seen before, just stuff not done by Illinois. You can chalk it up to a number of different things but overall, there are some holes even the drunkest kool aide person can see. Take a look at the films and you see one break down or another. Either the D end gets taken clear out and the tackled sealed and backer doesn't get there or the backer arrives and whiffs. We have times of being good and times of being very average on the front 7.
There are several things that should be a concern as you look at this D:
1. When was the last time we slobber knocked someone and caused a fumble? We just are not squaring up and meeting the back in the hole or a yard or two behind the line.
2. Where are our INTs? Started off good but we have slowed down.
3. Sacks. Until we get some legitimate pressure on the QB we cannot expect great things in the secondary. Say we are young up front, whatever you want as the reason, we are not getting it done in that area. One thing that I think sways our numbers is that teams get behind and have to throw which should make us lick our chops for sacks and give us more opportunities but it doesn't seem to be working that way. Every coach dreams of the pressure coming right up the middle - that makes the QB make his move and harder for them to see. Push the rush outside and it opens up lanes to see downfield.
4. I will be concerned when we hit that rushing juggernaut team that keeps us on our heels - Indiana coming up could be that team - and our D gets worn down and off balance. I just don't know how they will react. They seem vulnerable to too many things right now. They will get better each week and this will be a good test for them.
5. We finally got the big play on the running game. That has been a long time coming. I am looking for something to get going in special teams. We need to improving our field position in these close games with a good return and better coverage. We started to see that improve and then this week that bunch got the day off. In all of our big wins the last few years, special teams had a big play or two to keep us in it.
We still need the O line to get better each week and getting some of those guys back from injury will help. It will help down the line getting some reps for those guys. Looks like Whitaker could be a swing man which we need.
What I do like is this teams resolve. They don't seem to get rattled and I think that comes from Riley. I like that.
