40% of the Big 12 is ranked 100+ in total defense. Another 3 are ranked 78th and above. That's 70% of the league in the bottom half of defenses. That is mostly due to the fact that some of the top offenses in the country also play in the Big 12, with 40% of the league being in the Top 10 for passing offenses.
Want to go more advanced? OK. Let's look at the FEI defensive rankings. That helps a little because it adjusts for the opponent, but you still 4 teams ranked 64th or worse (TCU leading the Big 12 at #13).
Yes, TCU plays good defense (and gets near unanimous respect because of it). As a league though? The wide-open pass-happy stereotype has pretty much held true. That's neither good nor bad, it just happens to be true more often than it's not.
OU plays no defense, but held tOSU to their lowest total of the year -- by 8 points. Why isn't anyone talking about the B10 not playing defense. tOSU has scored 49+ in half their games, but only scored 16 against OU? They are
Same with Arkansas...their lowest point total of the year was against us. They are losing most of their games, but scoring points.
You just said it...it's not that we don't play defense, it's that the offenses are built to score points. You need to look at history to understand why...Stoops and Mack Brown switched to high powered offenses because they knew that they had to keep up with Leach and Gundy. Those two guys were equipped to ruin their season every year if they got into a shootout.
And no, TCU doesnt get near unanimous respect for defense. There's been evidence of that posted right here in this thread. You accuse us of having blinders on, but you could do yourself a favor by opening your eyes a little and paying attention to what is being said. I could post numerous examples of TV personalities saying things that support my conclusion, but I doubt you would believe it.
