At the end of the game, that's the only defensive stat that truly affects the W-L column.
Now, I get where you are coming from, but your anti-CTR crusade from day one of his hire doesn't seem to allow for reasoned discourse on your part. You blame the coach for every mistake, yet don't give him credit for the successes. If a blitz works it's from individual effort, but if an individuals effort comes up short, it's bad coaching. You can't have it both ways.
To a point. However; if your defense allows 30 a game, that puts enormous pressure on the offense to score on every possession and score TD's not FG's. I think Roof plays too soft and that softness is seen on the field, at times. When the coach asks the players to play soft, they play soft. So, yes... the coaching does affect the players and their mindset. That does not mean they go full on blitz and attack on every play. But, there has to be some mixture there. I was glad to see Roof finally come out in a bump and run coverage. In fact, that caused an in-completion on GSU's first series. I feel that if we would of done that in the game prior, we would be better than where we are. Sadly, I feel that when we play Duke, he'll go back to giving the WR's free breaks and giving up a 8 yard cushion.
I have been anti CTR. Mainly because I just don't feel like his style is what GT needs. He plays too old of a system. Now, if the team was loaded with 4 and 5 star recruits, than yes... It would probably work. Jut because we'd have the size and speed for the read and react to work. Given, that we do not have those skill sets, at that level. You have to mix in smoke and mirrors. I saw some pre snap movement against GSU. Again, it we waiting until now to unleash this. Will Roof continue to do this? Remains to be seen.
But, to your point... It takes players to make plays. But, it takes coaching to allow them to be in the right place, at the right time.