Lets see what those rankings look like when we do face strong defenses. Its a funky offense that is rarely faced so yeah it puts up points. So does UGA. So does Alabama. So does Rich Rod. So does Malzahn.
Anyway CPJ IS THE HEAD COACH not just the offensive coordinator. The defense is on him as well. How many times "if we just fix the defense" you feel like saying? You many times you watch "Groundhogs Day" before the ending changes?
I predicted 8-4 we still on track anything less can we please move on.
Let me reiterate and emphasize what
@ilovetheoption said. The #1 ranking after 8 weeks already accounts for strength of schedule and does not count garbage time (when the outcome is no longer in question) plays, drives.
So, yes, we played a crap defense in UNC, but scored at a clip of 4.5 pts/drive, 7 scores in 10 drives. That's really good against anybody. However, we've also played VPI who footballoutsiders ranks as #1 D in the country and Duke is #14.
As far as the coaching decision is concerned, I think we need to look at more than just decontextualized W-L records. Similarly, imo, it's not enough to simply ask how many times we can say, "If we just fix the defense," without looking reasonably at the steps that have been taken in the past.
First, we have a head coach that has developed a top 5 offense twice in 7 years, top 25 5 times in seven years without top 5, top 25 type talent. That's significant value added.
Then you look at the standards he's set on the defense expected and the steps taken to improve the defense. You have to look at whether the hiring of Al Groh was CPJ's decision alone or was there strong pressure from the AD for budgetary reasons. So, for example, if it's true that we had a reasonable shot at E. Johnson but weren't able to hire him because the AD wanted to purchase from the cut-out bin, you can't put that entirely on the HC.
You have to look at the realities of the unexpected attrition and how much of that could have or should have been expected or avoided from the HC office. You have to look at the likelihood of the defense improving with the current staff.
I'm a fan of CPJ so, of course, I'm motivated for him to continue as our coach, but I think that you'd have to be pretty sure that the evidence points to the HC as responsible for the lack of D development before you fire him for that reason. I don't think a superficial look at the final W-L records is sufficient evidence.
