2007 CFN All-America Defense

[CaliforniaCowboy]

Looks like we're going to have our hands full for the Insight Bowl



Defensive Lineman - First team

DE Greg Middleton, Soph. Indiana
50 tackles, 16 sacks, 17 tackles for loss

Indiana's defense revolved around getting pressure into the backfield, and it's not a stretch to say the emergence of Middleton was the difference between just another IU season and a bowl game. The nation's steadiest pass rusher had a sack in every game but two, and both were losses.



http://msn.foxsports.com/cfb/story/7562198

[Pokes4Life]

So since we're not going to lose, he shouldn't have a sack :D

[bremmel]

We have played several good defenses and only gave up 11 sacks all year. Bobby Reid was sacked six of those times. Zac doesn't get sacked much so I'm not to worried about this. Our line is pretty good they will get this guy blocked.

[CaliforniaCowboy]

Yeah, like we blocked the Georgia DEs... and don't try to blame that on Bobby.

This guy is going to be a handful and will be disrupting plays the whole game.

[bremmel]

Yeah, like we blocked the Georgia DEs... and don't try to blame that on Bobby.

This guy is going to be a handful and will be disrupting plays the whole game.
I'm not trying to place blame on Bobby I'm just saying that Zac is pretty good about not getting sacked. The line didn't play well against georgia. But they got better as the year went along. Zac was only sacked 5 times and is better able to get out of the pocket and make a play.

[CaliforniaCowboy]

I'm not trying to place blame on Bobby I'm just saying that Zac is pretty good about not getting sacked. The line didn't play well against georgia. But they got better as the year went along. Zac was only sacked 5 times and is better able to get out of the pocket and make a play.

okay, if you say so. I was not all that impressed; most of his numbers were not as good, and we didn't win any more games and scored fewer points; he got some yards when he hogged the ball and forgot the open pitch man, but that doesn't really do it for me. His bounce pass was pretty good though, I must admit.
:rolleyes:

[bremmel]

okay, if you say so. I was not all that impressed; most of his numbers were not as good, and we didn't win any more games and scored fewer points; he got some yards when he hogged the ball and forgot the open pitch man, but that doesn't really do it for me. His bounce pass was pretty good though, I must admit.
:rolleyes:
What numbers weren't that good he has 2522 passing yds and 777 rushing yds. Total of 3299 yds of total offense the most in OSU history. He didn't even start the first two games and still has a bowl game to add to those stats. As far as not winning more games I don't think you can blame Zac or anybody on offense. Our defense was not very good at all.

[CaliforniaCowboy]

I'm not going to go through it with you, but there are logical "excuses" for all of that; and the same can be said for last year, and we have no way of knowing if any other QB would have done any better or any worse with this schedule.

You're skewing it slightly as well, since Zac didn't "start" the FAU game, but he played darn near all of it; and Bobby missed most of the A&M game last year, and was out nearly half of the OU game. Apples and apples if you really want to play that game.

Yes, he had a lot of passing yards... most of it YAC. Goodie.

Yes he ran alot; but he should have hit the open pitch man more, especially on those two missed scoring chances.

Our defense could have been better, but they didn't turn it over 5 times against Troy and 4 times against KU, or get stuffed in the 2nd half against A&M or UT. Don't worry, I complained about our offense not winning games for us last year too; bottom line is we played statistically easier defensive teams and scored less points... you can decide for yourself what it means.

To me it means that we need improved play at QB, fewer fumbles, fewer dropped passes, fewer penalities; and the defense needs to get more penetration and force more turnovers.

I'm not blaming anybody for anything, but I'm not putting any one player up on a pedestal either (well, maybe Savage and Hunter and Lacey, but that's it).

[bremmel]

I'm not going to go through it with you, but there are logical "excuses" for all of that; and the same can be said for last year, and we have no way of knowing if any other QB would have done any better or any worse with this schedule.

You're skewing it slightly as well, since Zac didn't "start" the FAU game, but he played darn near all of it; and Bobby missed most of the A&M game last year, and was out nearly half of the OU game. Apples and apples if you really want to play that game.

Yes, he had a lot of passing yards... most of it YAC. Goodie.

Yes he ran alot; but he should have hit the open pitch man more, especially on those two missed scoring chances.

Our defense could have been better, but they didn't turn it over 5 times against Troy and 4 times against KU, or get stuffed in the 2nd half against A&M or UT. Don't worry, I complained about our offense not winning games for us last year too; bottom line is we played statistically easier defensive teams and scored less points... you can decide for yourself what it means.

To me it means that we need improved play at QB, fewer fumbles, fewer dropped passes, fewer penalities; and the defense needs to get more penetration and force more turnovers.

I'm not blaming anybody for anything, but I'm not putting any one player up on a pedestal either (well, maybe Savage and Hunter and Lacey, but that's it).
I don't want to get in a Bobby vs. Zac debate. I'm just saying Zac has done well this year. He hasn't been prefect but it's his first year really playing. I haven't looked up any stats but I don't see how we played easier defenses since our non conference schedule was alot harder than last year. I agree with you that maybe Savage should be put on a pedestal. He seems to be the heart of the team. Which makes me a little worried who will fill those shoes next year.