Surprisingly SU is #9 nationally in this defensive category

[Orangeyes]

http://www.syracuse.com/orangefootball/index.ssf/2012/11/syracuse_football_teams_leaky.html

 

[SWC75]

I think part of their problems the last two games is that they are greared to get tackles for a loss and the opposition has been able to plan against that.

 

[007]

I think part of their problems the last two games is that they are greared to get tackles for a loss and the opposition has been able to plan against that.

I would bet that is not the reason, SWC. Shafer tends to have more success defending power rushing teams. USF and Cincy spread the field, which will move, at least, the Sam out of the box and discourage the SS from crashing down . Then, there was the threat of the running QB. The DL was likely more concerned with maintaining gap control and "lane" assignments, rather than shooting gaps/penetrating.