I haven't taken the time to compile the data on number of players in the box and number of players rushing the passer on every play over the first three games, but from being at two games and watching the third on TV, my observations tell me that the ND defense was much less aggressive against NIU compared to the other two games.
By aggressive, I mean mainly lining up only one safety deep instead of two (making running more difficult), and rushing the passer with 5+ men instead of 4. Aggression creates nightmares for offenses. Of course there are risks, but those risks are mitigated by having a secondary that excels in man coverage and/or tackling, and I think we'd all agree that ND checks those boxes. The ideal personnel set is there to allow for high levels of aggression.
I have no idea why the aggression wasn't there against NIU. NIU is clearly better than we thought, but not so good that they should be gaining 6.0 yards per play compared to 3.6 for Texas A&M and 2.6 for Purdue. I get that there was a fluke long TD pass where two defenders collided, and the inexcusably bad offense forced the defense to be on the field a lot, but that still doesn't explain such a huge difference.
I have no idea what the defensive coaches saw on NIU film that made them think they should dial it down, or why they didn't at least adjust at halftime.
By aggressive, I mean mainly lining up only one safety deep instead of two (making running more difficult), and rushing the passer with 5+ men instead of 4. Aggression creates nightmares for offenses. Of course there are risks, but those risks are mitigated by having a secondary that excels in man coverage and/or tackling, and I think we'd all agree that ND checks those boxes. The ideal personnel set is there to allow for high levels of aggression.
I have no idea why the aggression wasn't there against NIU. NIU is clearly better than we thought, but not so good that they should be gaining 6.0 yards per play compared to 3.6 for Texas A&M and 2.6 for Purdue. I get that there was a fluke long TD pass where two defenders collided, and the inexcusably bad offense forced the defense to be on the field a lot, but that still doesn't explain such a huge difference.
I have no idea what the defensive coaches saw on NIU film that made them think they should dial it down, or why they didn't at least adjust at halftime.
