How good will our defense really be???

[northernclone]

Here are the facts:
* We lose a lot to graduation
* We lose some key players due to off-field issues
* We lose some key players due to injuries.

No doubt these are significant issues to overcome.

On the plus side I hear things like:
* We have much more speed
* We have recruited better so the players replacing others have better raw talent
* Our offense is good enough to compensate.

So, a question to those a bit closer to the program. How much are you concerned about our defense "this year?" Are we really in a situation where we will truly have to rely on us running up the score to win? Or, are those stepping in really able to hit the ground running? Oh... and I know we are all enthusiastic and "want to believe," but I'm looking for some impartial thoughts.

[Cyfan322]

imo, Skladany will have the boys ready to play Big 12 football by the Texas game.

[cycloneworld]

I think that analysts/predictions/expectations are largely based on: YOUNG = BAD (with the elite programs, ie. OSU, as the exceptions)

Personally, I think we will see a different style of defense than what we have seen before...lean and fast. I don't think our defense will be as good as last year but I also don't think they will give up 40 per game either.

Damn I wish it was Aug. 31 so we could talk more after seeing the team perform...And also because I miss 6 hours of tailgating each game.

[flander1649]

No one thought that the defense was going to be any good in 2004 but they proved people wrong then. Last year there were some players that played undisaplined at times and they were still very good. I think this year if they play the a disaplined defense they will have enough speed everywhere that they can make up for some mistakes.

[cydsho]

Our best defense will be our offense imo. The offense will have to be able to sustain drives. If we rely on the defense to hold teams like I think it was used last year, we will have a long season. There is a lot of talent with speed and they will have to be used aggressively to get the TO, at least the first half of the year. Second half hopefully be able to make more stops but our offense is going to have to move the ball consistently.

[flyhighcy]

Our best defense will be our offense imo. The offense will have to be able to sustain drives. If we rely on the defense to hold teams like I think it was used last year, we will have a long season. There is a lot of talent with speed and they will have to be used aggressively to get the TO, at least the first half of the year. Second half hopefully be able to make more stops but our offense is going to have to move the ball consistently.

If that is the case ISU MUST have a decent running game. You don't control the time clock and have long sustaining drives with a pass happy offense.

[benjay]

McCarney will doggedly pursue the running game in order to maintain long drives and keep opposing offenses off the field.

You know it, I know it, opposing teams know it. If we can't run the ball this year, we lose.

[tazclone]

Correct benjay. We need balance. I like what I hear from the players about the whole speed of the defense. If they think the speed and talent is better than I am not to argue. All they have to do is hone in the mental and teamwork side of things by the time we play Iowa and we should be good. As good as last year?....maybe. Toledo will be a good measuring stick. Can our DL hold up to a really good OL. If we stop Toledo's run, I will be cyched.