re: Did anyone really think we'd go unbeaten?

I don't think this falls on Snyder at all. Expecting a complete 180 from last year's defense is a pipe dream, imo. I expected improvement across the board on D, but nothing like being dominant either. And despite today's efforts, we ARE better on defense but there's still major flaws obviously. Our linebackers are the biggest problem. Our best linebacker broke his ankle, and our best last year got himself dismissed from the team. Mastro is playing MIKE and he's clearly not a MIKE. Akaka and Walker are true freshman who really should have redshirted, but we have no choice. Chevis and Wade are lost causes apparently.

Our d-line is obviously better though. Everett and Howard Matthews are playing well compared to last season. Watts is a good instinctive safety but he's a true freshman and well sometimes he plays like one, give him a break. How can Mark Snyder fix this? How can any defensive coordinator?

We're going to give up points, but I think so far were totally better than that travesty we displayed last year.