The three LBers who have verbaled also look like keepers.

In two years this linebacker group will be the best in the MAC.

I disagree with the assessment of our linebackers. I think we were at the top of the MAC with our LB corp in 2016 and 2017. Ron Collins is an outstanding coach and developer of talent. I think the present group will continue to mesh and be near the top of the conference. Crouch is an all conference player.

Are you guys basing this prediction on potential or on what you've seen on the field so far this season? I'm not sure I've seen anything in Sept., 2018, that warrants this group being dubbed the best linebacking unit in the MAC in the near future.

Are you guys basing this prediction on potential or on what you've seen on the field so far this season? I'm not sure I've seen anything in Sept., 2018, that warrants this group being dubbed the best linebacking unit in the MAC in the near future.

I don't have the time to dig thru each depth chart ... but what proof do you have that Ohio has the youngest defense?

5 seniors listed as starters.

The secondary, which we can all agree is the biggest issue, has two redshirt seniors, a redshirt junior and two sophomores listed as starters?

The two-deep is littered with redshirt juniors and some other seniors.

https://d2o2figo6ddd0g.cloudfront.net/p/l/981phdu04w55y4/... (Page 10)

While yes ... they might not all have tons of game experience ... they do have plenty of practice and college experience. 19 returning letterman on defense (4 starters returning/7 lost)

I don't think anyone expects this defense to be the 1985 Chicago Bears or the 2016 Ohio defense that carried them to MAC East title .... but I don't think it's too much to expect them to be a helluva lot better than what they've shown?

Again ... six straight games of 30+ points allowed. Worst stretch for an Ohio defense in 30 years. And the three games vs FBS teams this year have come against offenses ranked 31st, 61st & 73rd ... not exactly murders row.

UVa had their best offensive day vs FBS of the season by 60 yards vs Ohio
UMass had their best offensive day vs. FBS by over 100 yards vs. Ohio
UC had 2nd best .... only because UConn is one of the few defenses actually worse than Ohio's

They will get another shot to "grow up" this wknd. This Kent offense isn't as terrible as they've been in years past. They're averaging over 400 yards per game. Ohio is allowing over 500.

Luckily Kent has the only defense worse than Ohio's in the MAC.

Over 71 points certainly looks to be in play Saturday at The Dix.

Sorry maybe young was the wrong choice. Inexperienced is what I mean. No other team lost as many defensive starters. And I think it’s a cheap shot to add losses from last years team on this one. It’s a different team this year. It’s frustrating trying to explain the nuances of football to people who didn’t play. The defense will continue to improve. Hopefully so will your criticisms. [/QUOTE]I hope that wasn't a cheap shot insinuating I didn't play football? I might not have played division one college football ... but I've been around the game for 25+ years, so I know a little ... certainly enough to know this defense is not very good right now.

If inexperienced was what you were going for ... I'll give that to you if you're talking about the front seven. That is true ... that group is pretty wet behind the ears. You can see that in the lack of pass rush they've generated.

But if you're talking about the secondary ... I'm going to have to disagree. Even the Ohio Game Notes lists the secondary as a point of strength on this defense:

[QUOTE=OHIO GAME NOTES]STRENGTH IN THE SECONDARY
Ohio returns three-fourths of its defensive backfield in 2018.

Redshirt junior free safety Javon Hagan (Jacksonville, Fla.) was an All-MAC Second Team pick a year ago after ranking second on the team with 85 total tackles (45 solo, 40 assisted). He picked off one pass and forced one fumble. The 2016 MAC Freshman of the Year is on the watch list for the Thorpe Award entering this season.

The Bobcats return redshirt senior Kylan Nelson (Lexington, Ky.) at strong safety. Nelson was sixth on the team with 53 total tackles (28 solo, 25 assisted) and third with eight pass breakups.

Redshirt senior Jalen Fox (Cincinnati, Ohio) is back as the starting right cornerback after tying for second on the team with two interceptions and ranking second with 11 pass breakups a year ago.

Ohio’s secondary lost All-MAC Third Team left cornerback Bradd Ellis, who led the Bobcats with 19 pass breakups and tied for second on the squad with two interceptions. Two sophomores who are natives of Miami, Fla., Jamal Hudson and Marlin Brooks, are vying to take the starting spot this year.

Sorry maybe young was the wrong choice. Inexperienced is what I mean. No other team lost as many defensive starters. And I think it’s a cheap shot to add losses from last years team on this one. It’s a different team this year. It’s frustrating trying to explain the nuances of football to people who didn’t play. The defense will continue to improve. Hopefully so will your criticisms.

... Someone earlier stated 400 yards given up by our defense will be a sign of improvement. I think we can hold them to 200 yards passing and about 100 yards rushing. So I’m challenging us to 300 yards and 2 interceptions by DBs ; )

Returning Defensive Starters and yards/game given:
4: Ohio (518)
5: Kent (528) , WMU (365)
6: Toledo (458)
7: EMU (417), NIU (350), CMU (336)
8: Miami (384), BG (501)
9: Ball St (413), Buffalo (355), Akron (337)

Obviously there is a correlation, but not 100%. WMU's defense has been excellent despite not having many returning starters. BG's defense has been awful despite having a lot.

I still believe that, in order to compete for a MACC, Ohio needs to give up no more than an average of 360 yards/game. That's a far cry from the 518 they have given up so far. Kent's offense is averaging 407 yards/game, so holding them under 400 yards would be a good sign that the defense is improving.