For whatever reason, it appears to me that the most important thing that the defense can accomplish is not give up the big play. Against Duke, we had lots of time to adjust (learn from our mistakes against Louiseville and Nebraska) to the SPREAD option. We were also playing against a very much inferior opponent. So the coaches probably felt more comfortable applying more preassure because the caliber of athlete was not as scary as our previous opponents. I do think that it is a different defense against the TRIPLE option of GT. However, the main goal of the defense still applies, "DON'T GIVE UP THE BIG PLAY". Al pretty much admitted it when he talked about what failed during his post game presser. He talked about how this offense kills you on the outside with big plays and that we gave up a couple. To me, this is the biggest problem. He does not see or acknowledge (at least publicly) that a team who can get 4 to 5 yards (By Design of the defense, as stated by Al in the press conference) with a full back dive is already winning. The team will control the game and will dominate the clock. It will force our offense to have to be perfect and tire out our defense. With this strategy, he is playing right into the hands of GT. It is this mentality of "don't give up the big play" that will kill us. A defense that relies on others to make mistakes without forcing those mistakes is doomed to fail against any competent competition. I don't understand why you wouldn't want to apply more pressure, penetrate gaps and disrupt their offense, which is very much dependent on timing. Sure, we may give up a big play or two, but guess what. We would get the ball back, have the opportunity to rest our defense, adjust to the play that was made and get it right the next possession.
So with all that said, I don't know much about Cincinnatti's offense, but my guess is if we can play in our base package, that we will likely see a more aggressive defense this week. If we don't, I think we loose the players and don't make a bowl game.
