Tech's defensive improvement -- fact or fiction?

[HB Pony Dad]

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/big12/0-1-17 ... tion-.html


"Looking back, Tech did face some productive quarterbacks during Setencich's first four games last season. Phil Steele has Chase Clement of Rice, Trevor Vittatoe of UTEP and Justin Willis of SMU ranked as his three best quarterbacks in Conference USA. And Zac Robinson of Oklahoma State might be one of the nation's most underrated players."

[ponyte]

Tech embarrassed us last year. Our nonexistent Defense did shout 'All out' well enough to be heard on National TV. That is about the best I can say for the defense that game.

Tech's defense made our offense look like a Tyson's chicken running around with its head cut off.

The TTU (please note that Tech fans/Alums/students are often referred to as Sand Aggies) boards seem to think their defense will be much improved this year. If so, and we don’t have an offense up to speed, then the TTU game could be a real embarrassment.

[RednBlue11]

fiction

[Stallion]

No they will clearly be better defensively than at the start of last year-although I would point out they do have some eligibility issues involving two kids coming in from JUCO who could improve Tech's defense even more. They think the No. 1 JUCO DE Sesay should be eligible but they aren't sure about McKinner Dixon who was a Freshman All-American at Tech before attending JUCO last year. I think they are better even without those two but will improve significantly with them.

[OC Mustang]

No they will clearly be better defensively than at the start of last year-although I would point out they do have some eligibility issues involving two kids coming in from JUCO who could improve Tech's defense even more. They think the No. 1 JUCO DE Sesay should be eligible but they aren't sure about McKinner Dixon who was a Freshman All-American at Tech before attending JUCO last year. I think they are better even without those two but will improve significantly with them.

Does Tech finish Top 10 or Top 5 this year? Given their offensive success, the question marks are the depth and durability of their defense. So...that's my question to you...you clearly follow them; do you think they make it to a January bowl?

[RednBlue11]

No they will clearly be better defensively than at the start of last year-although I would point out they do have some eligibility issues involving two kids coming in from JUCO who could improve Tech's defense even more. They think the No. 1 JUCO DE Sesay should be eligible but they aren't sure about McKinner Dixon who was a Freshman All-American at Tech before attending JUCO last year. I think they are better even without those two but will improve significantly with them.

Does Tech finish Top 10 or Top 5 this year? Given their offensive success, the question marks are the depth and durability of their defense. So...that's my question to you...you clearly follow them; do you think they make it to a January bowl?

they will not, history is a great indicator and no matter how good thier offense is a lack of a championship d will open them up to scoring contests which they will lose because they can be stopped a couple times at least in every game

[MustangIcon]

No they will clearly be better defensively than at the start of last year-although I would point out they do have some eligibility issues involving two kids coming in from JUCO who could improve Tech's defense even more. They think the No. 1 JUCO DE Sesay should be eligible but they aren't sure about McKinner Dixon who was a Freshman All-American at Tech before attending JUCO last year. I think they are better even without those two but will improve significantly with them.

Does Tech finish Top 10 or Top 5 this year? Given their offensive success, the question marks are the depth and durability of their defense. So...that's my question to you...you clearly follow them; do you think they make it to a January bowl?

they will not, history is a great indicator and no matter how good thier offense is a lack of a championship d will open them up to scoring contests which they will lose because they can be stopped a couple times at least in every game

Past performance is not always an accurate indicator of future success.

I don't know Tech's roster well but with improved players on the defensive side of the ball they could be much improved on D this year. Saying their recent history shows they won't would then make you of the belief that SMU cannot be a good football team bc recent history shows we suck.

[Stallion]

The Big 12 and especially the Big 12 South is tough so I'm staying away from any predictions of Championships for Tech. Wouldn't be surprised to see them play on January 1 or in a BCS game because now there are so many such games. But I have little doubt that the athletes they have on defense are much better than the ones who were giving up 35 ppg a few years ago. Actually, I think Tech's letdown may be the loss of talent at WR other than Crabtree. Not saying they aren't good-just not as formidable a starting WR Class as in say 2006 when they had 4 All Conference consideration guys in Jarrett Hicks, Robert Johnson, Joel Filani and Danny Amendola. This year they have Crabtree and some strong roles players but I don't see the great athletes like they had in 2006.

[Stallion]

UPDATE:

it was announced this afternoon that Mckinner Dixon a freshman Starter at Tech two years ago and a 4 star JUCO transfer has regained his eligibility to play this season for Tech.

http://www.lubbockonline.com/updates/te ... te2y.shtml

[Stallion]

Another kid that some may be forgetting to factor in to Tech's defensive improvement is Miami transfer Chris Perry who won an appeal to be eligible this year although technically I don't think he has sat out the usual full 1 year. So Tech has a Second String full of top National recruits on the Defensive Line backing up returning starters who all were productive last year.

[OC Mustang]

The Big 12 and especially the Big 12 South is tough so I'm staying away from any predictions of Championships for Tech. Wouldn't be surprised to see them play on January 1 or in a BCS game because now there are so many such games. But I have little doubt that the athletes they have on defense are much better than the ones who were giving up 35 ppg a few years ago. Actually, I think Tech's letdown may be the loss of talent at WR other than Crabtree. Not saying they aren't good-just not as formidable a starting WR Class as in say 2006 when they had 4 All Conference consideration guys in Jarrett Hicks, Robert Johnson, Joel Filani and Danny Amendola. This year they have Crabtree and some strong roles players but I don't see the great athletes like they had in 2006.

I'd have SMU take any two of their receivers any day, and I imagine that you would too. Not saying that SMU's current receiver set isn't good. They are just unproven. Notwithstanding Sanders, it appears to be all potential so far.

That said, for all the talk of jitterbug slots receivers and their place in the chuck and duck system, I will really enjoy seeing all four 6 foot+ receivers spread the field for SMU.

[Dirty Bird]

Up front defensively, Tech will be markedly better because of the Sesay, Dixon and Perry additions, combined with the maturation of Brandon Williams, Rajon Henley and Colby Whitlock.

As for their receiving corps, Eric Morris caught 9 TD last season and that's more than anyone else in the Big 12 not named Crabtree.

Danny Amendola's gone, but he said his replacement Detron Lewis will be better. Bigger and more athletic than Amendola, but still able to get open like Amendola did.

[techsanlaw29]

If the defense can hold 9 of the 11 opponents to 21 points or less, it could be a real productive season for Tech.

Considering Tech is returning 10 of 11 offensive starters from a team that averaged 42 points a game last year, the defense doesn't necessarily have to be a "premier" unit for Tech to simply outscore the other team.

If the opponents' average points falls beneath 20, I think Tech will most likely be playing a January bowl (although not necessarily a BCS).

[J.T.supporta]

if you can put up 50 points a game you dont need defense...fiction

[Stallion]

Correct-the defense is necessary to give a 50 ppg offense a rest every couple of minutes. Now you might not need a Punter.