I've seen scattered posts saying there's no way we could hang with Bama or that we better get a hell of a lot better if we're going to.
I don't necessarily disagree with the second way of saying that but here's the thing:
We may be in the process of fielding the best defensive line in school history and one of the best in college football history – no exaggeration.
Bosa was on his way to having one of the great seasons by a defensive lineman of all time and was in line to get legit Heisman consideration. Top-3 pick overall in April. If he comes back fully healthy – and rested – in November? Mercy.
Young just made his fifth collegiate start and did THAT. Top-5 pick in 2020.
Dre'Mont Jones has been our best player through 5 games and is making himself a top-20 pick.
Landers and whoever else has been playing at the other DT spot have been terrific as well.
Quality depth – especially at DT, but also at DE now that other guys are having to step up in Bosa's absence.
PSU's O-Line isn't one for the memory box but our D-Line just DESTROYED them all night long last night against both run and pass. It was especially impressive in the first half when our O was doing nothing and our D was on the field the entire time.
I watched the Clemson game yesterday and it's not even close – if/when Bosa comes back full-strength I'll take our D-Line over theirs ten times out of ten.
A dominant defensive line like that can keep you in the game against ANYONE, even Bama. Obviously it's important that we straighten out the issues in the back 7, but we have the young talent that will only get better with reps (Okudah, Wade, Browning, Werner, etc.) and I was actually very encouraged by a lot of what I saw last night, minus stopping the QB run, which is tough on even the best defense. But I'll go to war against ANYONE with this D-Line.
I don't necessarily disagree with the second way of saying that but here's the thing:
We may be in the process of fielding the best defensive line in school history and one of the best in college football history – no exaggeration.
Bosa was on his way to having one of the great seasons by a defensive lineman of all time and was in line to get legit Heisman consideration. Top-3 pick overall in April. If he comes back fully healthy – and rested – in November? Mercy.
Young just made his fifth collegiate start and did THAT. Top-5 pick in 2020.
Dre'Mont Jones has been our best player through 5 games and is making himself a top-20 pick.
Landers and whoever else has been playing at the other DT spot have been terrific as well.
Quality depth – especially at DT, but also at DE now that other guys are having to step up in Bosa's absence.
PSU's O-Line isn't one for the memory box but our D-Line just DESTROYED them all night long last night against both run and pass. It was especially impressive in the first half when our O was doing nothing and our D was on the field the entire time.
I watched the Clemson game yesterday and it's not even close – if/when Bosa comes back full-strength I'll take our D-Line over theirs ten times out of ten.
A dominant defensive line like that can keep you in the game against ANYONE, even Bama. Obviously it's important that we straighten out the issues in the back 7, but we have the young talent that will only get better with reps (Okudah, Wade, Browning, Werner, etc.) and I was actually very encouraged by a lot of what I saw last night, minus stopping the QB run, which is tough on even the best defense. But I'll go to war against ANYONE with this D-Line.
