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.

Out of all the linebackers trying to transition to new roles, Dylan Conner has the toughest spot as he has to play receivers as the nickle defender. One thing that September 2018 has taught us is it is not easy to be a rookie starter replacing Chad Moore.

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.

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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.

Is this even english?

Anyhow. Keep picking apart people's comments to fit your narrative. You excel at that.

Don't see you going after LC for his fact-based posts on how bad this defense is?

Keep fighting the good fight, dude.

Looking forward to Ohio's next inexplicable loss so you'll just disappear off this message board for weeks at a time. That's the only silver-lining when they lose bad games. You go ***poof***

So let's talk about the offense ....

You are so quick to puff out your chest and lead the parade down Court Street after they set records vs. UMass last week.

I acknowledged them ... but I'm also a realist.

This is the same offense that put up 6 points the last 40 minutes vs. UC when all they needed was one TD from the one-inch line to win.

Also the same offense that benched their star QB after three series because they were anemic vs. mighty Howard.

Yes ... anyone can see the offense is light years better than Ohio's defense and will most likely need to continue to be if they have any shot at winning the MAC.

They have barely scratched the surface with how good they can be this year.

I'm not sure where the ceiling is for this defense, though.

I’m not going to disparage any players, but, just because the “game notes” say it, doesn’t make it so.
And I’ve been around banks for 25+ years, but I don’t know shit about banking.

Trying to score on that 2006 defense in practice was damn near impossible. The linebackers could play slants and dart to the flats. They could carry longer routes and pass me off to the safeties too. And you had TJ, Mike and Mark who had the confidence to jump routes. I would like to see us ‘jump” more routes and take chances on pick 6’s. Let the safeties play higher for tips and over throws. I would also like for us to mix in 3-4 or 3-5-5. Doesn’t have to be every down....but ever so often just to confuse opposing o-lineman. I was at the game against UMass and the team is filled with tremendous athletes. They are maturing at a different rate than most schools because of a 2nd week Bye. Week 3 is like Week 1 again. You definitely want a mid or late season Bye week. As we get into conference play I think we will start to assert ourselves. 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 ; )

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Agreed. Defense Wins Championships. Until Ohio shows a pulse on defense all this commotion about championships might as well be put on hold.