First of all, injuries have hurt the line this year and that has become very evident the last few games.

But I can't help but think our brand of a 3-4 defense doesn't do our defensive line any favors. First, I think most top notch recruits would prefer a 4 man front. In most 3 front schemes the line is asked to take up space and funnel plays to the LBs. Plus a 3 man rush doesn't easily get to the QB. DEs don't like being double teamed with a 3 man rush. So that alone will hurt recruiting.

Second, the way we use LBs doesn't offer them quality support. Our LBs hang too far back to provide adequate run support. When runners hit the line they are dealing with only a 3 man front with the LBs are still trying to get into position to stop the run. It's a numbers game and we lose that on almost every down. As a result the runner can break past the line to the second level of defenders (the LBs) but they are slightly out of position and because of only a 3 man front Olineman are able to freely start blocking past the line.

And you see why teams have been so successful on rushing on 1st down.

You can run a 3-4 very successfully. But it requires bringing up the LBs putting them in position to stop the run or participate in the pass rush. Instead we just hope a pray our 3 guys can somehow stop their 5-6 guys who are blocking.