Defense -- C
It was actually pretty good given where it's been, but three big TD plays through three quarters were costly.
Three TD plays through three quarters and the defense gets a "C"? It certainly looks abysmal on paper, especially when you consider that the defense hasn't held an opponent under 30 points all season. So, what gives?
When evaluating the Wolf Pack defense, it's better to trust your eyes than to trust the stat sheet. On paper, pass defense has been terrible over the past two years. We ranked dead last in passing yards allowed last year and, though we're statistically in the middle of the pack this season, we're still giving up big plays. Clearly there's still room for improvement.
What won't show up on paper, however, is how we've started playing defense since Nigel Burton showed up. Think back two years ago - how was man coverage executed back then? How many times were our linebackers and safeties in a position to intercept the ball or otherwise break a passing play? How many yards could opposing receivers expect to get after the catch? Two years ago, our secondary played at least 10 yards off of any receivers - the goal was to execute a "bend but don't break" defense, one that would give up yards but wouldn't give up big plays. Since Burton showed up, however, our defense has been positively aggressive. Pull that Notre Dame game off of your DVR and look at where our defenders were compared to the ball. They were there, ready and in position to break up countless passing plays. They wouldn't have been in the same zip code two years ago.
That's progress.
Hinxman knows this because he watches the games. Yes, giving up three touchdowns in three quarters is bad, but it's all in how you're giving them up. Giving them up while trying for the ball is good - some time, experience, and decent coaching can help you learn when and how to gamble for the ball. You can't learn that playing ten yards away from the receiver, hoping that you can keep him out of the end zone while freely conceding first downs.
Our defense is a bright spot. Our offense, however, is backsliding. Kaepernick is acting like he's shell-shocked; Missouri is not going to help his psyche. Kaep needs to be able to trust the offensive line and trust that the coaches will make proper adjustments if the o-line turns into a sieve (HINT: Screens!). So far, there is no sign - none - that our coaches are capable of working with what we have in the trenches instead of working with what they wish they had.
Have we mentioned that Chris Ault needs to be fired lately?
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