This year is make or break for the 3-3-5.

[Palatine]

Or it should be. After last year's defensive disaster, and UConn's previous success with the more conventional 4-3, I would put the 3-3-5 on a short lease.

The usual strength of the 3-3-5 is versus the pass and its normal weakness is against the run especially large strong offenive lines. UConn pass defense was the absolutely worst against the pass in the FBS and it wasn't close. It puts extra DBs on the field to cover better. That didn't work. It disguises blitz so the offense cannot predict when and if an extra man is rushing the passer. That didn't work either. Our blitzes rarely got home. In truth, they rarely provided pressure.

Crocker's 3-3-5 was among the best in the FCS for many years. It didn't translate last year for the Huskies. Another year like 2017 makes a strong case toward putting it on the shelf.

 

[RSTuthill]

And an even shorter leash?

 

[Husky25]

7-10 yard cushions by the defensive backs and sloppy tackling isn't really effective at stopping opposing pass attacks. Offensive coordinators and QBs will gladly take what they are given when it results in 2nd/3rd & short, with a better than average chance that the runner will get yards after 1st contact.

 

[31GuardTrap]

RE brought in Crocker for this D.
It is not a make or break year when this is the first true recruiting class and most will not be on the field yet.
Edsall said very clearly in the spring that the D was going to struggle yet some of you were still shocked that it struggled and called for the DC's firing.
The D is going to struggle again next year (understand this now) but will show signs of improvements in areas. year 3 is where it needs to come together in all phases.

 

[SubbaBub]

It still won't be a finished product given the personnel issues. We will need to see something work unlike thisburar when nothing worked because the entire squad seemed lost on what to do.

Getting 3 decent bodies upfront and some speed at LB should help. I'm fairly confident that we can find 5 DB's in the crowd of options.

 

[Saab04]

RE brought in Crocker for this D.
It is not a make or break year when this is the first true recruiting class and most will not be on the field yet.
Edsall said very clearly in the spring that the D was going to struggle yet some of you were still shocked that it struggled and called for the DC's firing.
The D is going to struggle again next year (understand this now) but will show signs of improvements in areas. year 3 is where it needs to come together in all phases.

Exactly... Young DB’s, plenty of inexperienced players, Diaco players were recruited for a completely different style of defense, plus kids were outmatched. This defense isn’t going anywhere right now.

 

[whaler11]

Spoiler alert - the defense is gonna suck in 2018.

 

[Husky25]

Spoiler alert - the defense is gonna suck in 2018.

I think it'll be a little better than suck, but it won't be terrific either. Average will do.

 

[whaler11]

I think it'll be a little better than suck, but it won't be terrific either. Average will do.

How in the world is it going to be better than last year?

 

[Husky25]

How in the world is it going to be better than last year?

Oh, because it can't get much worse...

Total Defense

RANK TEAM G PLAYS YDS YDS/PLAY OFF TDS OPP TDS YPG
101 Arkansas 12 815 5259 6.45 51 56 438.3
102 Texas St. 12 852 5267 6.18 42 48 438.9
103 Akron 14 1030 6200 6.02 48 49 442.9
104 Texas Tech 13 998 5769 5.78 49 52 443.8
105 Syracuse 12 832 5328 6.40 47 49 444.0
106 Wake Forest 12 975 5331 5.47 38 38 444.3
107 West Virginia 13 944 5792 6.14 50 50 445.5
108 UTEP 12 859 5359 6.24 56 60 446.6
109 Arizona St. 12 852 5364 6.30 44 47 447.0
110 Colorado 12 884 5407 6.12 40 42 450.6
111 Charlotte 12 886 5455 6.16 44 51 454.6
112 Baylor 12 849 5483 6.46 47 52 456.9
113 UNLV 12 878 5504 6.27 48 49 458.7
114 Hawaii 12 814 5505 6.76 52 55 458.8
115 Ole Miss 12 895 5514 6.16 47 51 459.5
116 Arizona 12 922 5570 6.04 52 54 464.2
117 Kansas 12 873 5620 6.44 62 68 468.3
118 Nevada 12 924 5656 6.12 48 51 471.3
119 Oregon St. 12 859 5677 6.61 64 67 473.1
120 Memphis 12 974 5715 5.87 53 53 476.3
121 SMU 13 940 6197 6.59 59 62 476.7
122 UCLA 13 1004 6288 6.26 54 58 483.7
123 Louisiana 12 899 5912 6.58 60 64 492.7
124 San Jose St. 13 1045 6491 6.21 65 70 499.3
125 Bowling Green 12 920 6079 6.61 57 61 506.6
126 UConn 12 920 6228 6.77 60 61 519.0
127 Tulsa 12 868 6347 7.31 56 58 528.9
128 La.-Monroe 12 880 6385 7.26 64 67 532.1
129 East Carolina 12 842 6500 7.72 67 73 541.7

Incidentally, 4 conference-mates are 120 or worse. Below average D and a reasonable uptick on offense probably gets UConn a bowl berth.

 

[JMick]

How in the world is it going to be better than last year?

statistically speaking it will be hard for us to be worse. we play some really good QB's again, though. People are going to lose it when Whipple & Ford light it up

 

[JMick]

Oh, because it can't get much worse...

Total Defense

RANK TEAM G PLAYS YDS YDS/PLAY OFF TDS OPP TDS YPG
101 Arkansas 12 815 5259 6.45 51 56 438.3
102 Texas St. 12 852 5267 6.18 42 48 438.9
103 Akron 14 1030 6200 6.02 48 49 442.9
104 Texas Tech 13 998 5769 5.78 49 52 443.8
105 Syracuse 12 832 5328 6.40 47 49 444.0
106 Wake Forest 12 975 5331 5.47 38 38 444.3
107 West Virginia 13 944 5792 6.14 50 50 445.5
108 UTEP 12 859 5359 6.24 56 60 446.6
109 Arizona St. 12 852 5364 6.30 44 47 447.0
110 Colorado 12 884 5407 6.12 40 42 450.6
111 Charlotte 12 886 5455 6.16 44 51 454.6
112 Baylor 12 849 5483 6.46 47 52 456.9
113 UNLV 12 878 5504 6.27 48 49 458.7
114 Hawaii 12 814 5505 6.76 52 55 458.8
115 Ole Miss 12 895 5514 6.16 47 51 459.5
116 Arizona 12 922 5570 6.04 52 54 464.2
117 Kansas 12 873 5620 6.44 62 68 468.3
118 Nevada 12 924 5656 6.12 48 51 471.3
119 Oregon St. 12 859 5677 6.61 64 67 473.1
120 Memphis 12 974 5715 5.87 53 53 476.3
121 SMU 13 940 6197 6.59 59 62 476.7
122 UCLA 13 1004 6288 6.26 54 58 483.7
123 Louisiana 12 899 5912 6.58 60 64 492.7
124 San Jose St. 13 1045 6491 6.21 65 70 499.3
125 Bowling Green 12 920 6079 6.61 57 61 506.6
126 UConn 12 920 6228 6.77 60 61 519.0
127 Tulsa 12 868 6347 7.31 56 58 528.9
128 La.-Monroe 12 880 6385 7.26 64 67 532.1
129 East Carolina 12 842 6500 7.72 67 73 541.7

We were actually only 11 spots lower in DFEI last year than 2016. 109th in 2016 and 120th in 2017. The defense sucked that year, too, but was masked a bit by the offense.

 

[hardcorehusky]

Here is why it will be better against the pass- the young DB's are a year older. They will be faster, stronger and understand the scheme better. The LB's will be faster and will have had more time in the system. The line will be worse in my estimation but with improved understanding, the blitzes will be more effective and the coverage better.

 

[whaler11]

Oh, because it can't get much worse...

Total Defense

RANK TEAM G PLAYS YDS YDS/PLAY OFF TDS OPP TDS YPG
101 Arkansas 12 815 5259 6.45 51 56 438.3
102 Texas St. 12 852 5267 6.18 42 48 438.9
103 Akron 14 1030 6200 6.02 48 49 442.9
104 Texas Tech 13 998 5769 5.78 49 52 443.8
105 Syracuse 12 832 5328 6.40 47 49 444.0
106 Wake Forest 12 975 5331 5.47 38 38 444.3
107 West Virginia 13 944 5792 6.14 50 50 445.5
108 UTEP 12 859 5359 6.24 56 60 446.6
109 Arizona St. 12 852 5364 6.30 44 47 447.0
110 Colorado 12 884 5407 6.12 40 42 450.6
111 Charlotte 12 886 5455 6.16 44 51 454.6
112 Baylor 12 849 5483 6.46 47 52 456.9
113 UNLV 12 878 5504 6.27 48 49 458.7
114 Hawaii 12 814 5505 6.76 52 55 458.8
115 Ole Miss 12 895 5514 6.16 47 51 459.5
116 Arizona 12 922 5570 6.04 52 54 464.2
117 Kansas 12 873 5620 6.44 62 68 468.3
118 Nevada 12 924 5656 6.12 48 51 471.3
119 Oregon St. 12 859 5677 6.61 64 67 473.1
120 Memphis 12 974 5715 5.87 53 53 476.3
121 SMU 13 940 6197 6.59 59 62 476.7
122 UCLA 13 1004 6288 6.26 54 58 483.7
123 Louisiana 12 899 5912 6.58 60 64 492.7
124 San Jose St. 13 1045 6491 6.21 65 70 499.3
125 Bowling Green 12 920 6079 6.61 57 61 506.6
126 UConn 12 920 6228 6.77 60 61 519.0
127 Tulsa 12 868 6347 7.31 56 58 528.9
128 La.-Monroe 12 880 6385 7.26 64 67 532.1
129 East Carolina 12 842 6500 7.72 67 73 541.7

Incidentally, 4 conference-mates are 120 or worse. Below average D and a reasonable uptick on offense probably gets UConn a bowl berth.

Did you notice who left from that debacle?

There needs to be a reason beyond - it can’t be worse.

Anyone thinking about bowl bids is just setting themselves up for a LONG year.

 

[Palatine]

RE brought in Crocker for this D.
It is not a make or break year when this is the first true recruiting class and most will not be on the field yet.
Edsall said very clearly in the spring that the D was going to struggle yet some of you were still shocked that it struggled and called for the DC's firing.
The D is going to struggle again next year (understand this now) but will show signs of improvements in areas. year 3 is where it needs to come together in all phases.

Would you concede that there is a difference between a defense "struggling" and one finishing last in the entire FBS in pass defense?

 

[Bubba1957]

I'm probably being overly optimistic, but I think they will be much better on D next year. Main reason, better players. One thing that stands out looking at the film of the incoming class is that they have a lot of guys who like to hit people. I can count on one hand the number of nice hits we saw last year. Hitting is contagious. I'd expect that a lot of those freshman will be playing or pushing the guys in front of them with their aggressive play. Football is a pretty simple game - if you aren't afraid to hit people. So, there will be mistakes, blown assignments and other inexperienced type play, but there will also be more jarring hits, forced turnovers, dropped passes, sacks and other good stuff. Less prolonged bad play, which leads to the type of bad numbers we've seen.

 

[Tdaley]

Losing 8 starters( I'm including Bell in that number) including your 3 best defensive players, Joseph, Fatukasi and Ormsby does not bode well for any improvement for our defense next year no matter what defensive scheme we are running. We may see a slight improvement in our secondary but it may not matter if teams are running through our defensive line and linebackers like we were a high school team. People should be more realistic about the future of Uconn football. Its a complete tear down and rebuild. I'm expecting some more 70 to 40 games next year. We can be optimistic about continuing to improve on the offensive side of the ball but our defense could be worst than last year.

 

[UConnDan97]

The question for me will be the front 6 next year. I do believe that the back 5 will be much improved (I know, I know...how could it be worse...).

But losing Foley, Joseph, Ormsby, Diggs, and Carrezola are very big losses to replace. We are going to have to see players like Thomas, Murphy, Travis Jones, Sterling, Kevon Jones, Webb, and a couple of others really step up to fill the losses of the front 6.

If they can successfully do that, then our defense will be much improved. If they can't do that, then I'm going to need to upgrade my drinking habits...

 

[RSTuthill]

Coulda shoulda won two more games this year. Therefore the over-under will be at 5.5. Expectations are 5, exceeds expectations are 6 or above, does not meet is 4 or lower.

You heard it here first.

 

[formerlurker]

Did you notice who left from that debacle?

There needs to be a reason beyond - it can’t be worse.

Anyone thinking about bowl bids is just setting themselves up for a LONG year.

I'm basing this solely on hope, Tito's/soda, and my eyesight meds. But, I'm seeing a young defense in 2018 where several Freshman step in and make a huge difference. In this world I see Hunter Webb channeling Lutrus' Freshman year. I realize these are pipe dreams with many missing pieces. But they are mine.

 

[noeynox]

Did you notice who left from that debacle?

There needs to be a reason beyond - it can’t be worse.

Anyone thinking about bowl bids is just setting themselves up for a LONG year.

Ormsby and Luke. No one on the roster seems close to their level yet.

 

[formerlurker]

If no one steps up to Junior's level we will already be a worse defense.

 

[HomeKing93]

It seems more teams these days are running some type of spread, most of our opponents in 2017 certainly did. I think 5 DBs on the field on a regular basis is our reality.

 

[Exit 4]

For 2018 D - I'm just hoping we see clear signs of true potential. I thought most of the youngsters showed a low ceiling last year which is disconcerting. Most important player will be T Jones.

DL - Uguak/ T. Jones and a rotation of Atkins-Pace-Freeborn for that last spot. Spotting snaps from Murphy/Okounam& C. Thomas. <--The high side of Uguak and T. Jones is better than their predecessors, but year 1 and 2 could be rough.

LB - start with Beavers/Sterling/Hahn and build a second unit around Gardner/K.Jones and Eli Thomas. Maybe use Gilmartin for some short yardage. Second unit will be better than the first after 4 games (I sure hope so!). Webb plays too if he is physically ready, not sure that is the case. Webb could be a nice player after a red shirt year.

CB outside - no idea how this will break between Bebe, Tahj, Swann, Lazarus, Lucien. I do like the physical ability of Paul.
CB slot - Fortt or maybe Coyle sliding over. Maybe we see Fox here or Lucien for backup.
FS/SS - Morrison / Swenson. I loved the shear playmaking and physical ability of Morrison's senior tape. I like what I read about his attitude. I think this kid will have a positive impact. Back ups will be perhaps Robinson II / Terry.

 

[SubbaBub]

Meh. I expect the D to be faster. I also expect them to be better prepared. My concern is that they won't be any stronger and that the 3-3-5 is a set up for failure.