I know, I know, ESPN is evil, but hear this one out. Adam Rittenberg, a Big Ten specific blogger on ESPN.com addressed the issue of favoring a strong DLine over the offensive counterpart. In his Wednesday B1G Chat, he's asked about the issue, notably in terms of our draft classes against UM's. His response:
" It's obviously great to have both, but I think an elite defensive line puts a program over the top. You've seen that in the SEC. Here's what Urban Meyer recently told me: "We all know we had great success at Florida, and Tebow and Percy and all these guys got recognition. But at the end of the day, our defensive line was what Florida was known for." Big Ten teams have been strong on both lines, but I'd prefer a disruptive D-line that prevents the offense from getting comfortable."
prevent points being scored and score alot yourself. like it.
I know there's a game saturday, and my ass will be there.
I tend to agree with what Rittenberg says there, and Urban's right, Florida's d-line was what would dictate most games.
While not loving ESPN, I do respect the work that Rittenberg does with the Big Ten blog at ESPN. If you ask me, Adam and the guy he works with, Brian Bennet, covering the conference, have got a tough job. They have to cover the whole conference and try to write stories about each team and make them seem somewhat interesting. Can you imagine trying to write a feel good piece on Indiana or Minnesota football? They have to try and cater to each fan base while knowing that certain schools are much less important in the grand scheme of things conference-wise.
I read a comment the other day about how guys don't rotate on the O-line, whereas on the D-line fresh bodies can be subbed in all game. Advantage D-line.
This is a simple argument for one reason: take a 6'3", 300 lb. player who is strong, explosive, and very athletic for his size. Coaches will put him at DT before they try him at OG. Mike Bennett is the perfect example. He was one of the best guards in the country in high school, but a player of his caliber at DT is much more valuable. The better athletes go to the D-Line.
Edit: Chris Carter is an outlier in this case.
I seem to recall Dickrod going all Offense and not paying any attention to D. We know where that got him