If you go back and look, the defense was at least as beat up last year. Granted, we lost most of the defensive backfield (both first and second string) before the season started but we continued to lose players all season. Because the defense kept playing decently last year (though weaker competition late in the season helped a lot) and KVN was able to play through injuries, most people didn't really notice how many defensive injuries there were.

This years defense could not defend the pass well even before the injuries. Even getting players back for the bowl games didn't help, as the defense looked as inept (and maybe more) than ever.