The 1983 and 1984 defenses were loaded:
Defensive Line:
Leslie O-Neal - Nothing needs to be said here.
John Washington - Played in the NFL from 1986-1992
Rodney Harding - CFL All Star 1992 & 1994
David Webb - Not drafted but he was good.
Linebackers:
Matt Monger - Walk-On - Played for the Jets and Bills
James Spencer - Drafted 10th round by Vikings
James Ham - Not drafted but again, he was a good player.
Secondary:
Mark Moore - 4th round by Seattle
Adam Hinds - Drafted 9th Round by Miami
Raymond Polk - Drafted 12 round by Raiders
Chris Rockins - Drafted 2nd round by the Browns
Rod Brown - Denver Broncos and Ottawa Rough Riders
Rod Fisher - Drafted 12th round by Rams - Played for Saskatchewan CFL
All of my OU friends thought our secondary was the best in the country. This defense was LOADED.
Do not forget that our 1983 Defense when it played #1 Nebraska with the triplets, and NU not even having one single rushing play on offense go for negative yardage when they played OSU, opened the first series of the game against Nebraska by setting them back for 3 consecutive losses. That was the 6th game of the year. Prior to that NU had played: No 4 Penn State (44-6), Wyoming, Minnesota (scored 84), UCLA, and Syracuse. Not as if NU was playing scrubs. OSU held them to 14. OU held them to 28 and Miami (won NC) to 30. That defense was head and shoulders above great units at OU and Miami.
I am not going to argue one way or the other which defense was the best, my opinion is that when making these comparisons the team currently playing usually gets the nod because many never saw these older teams play, and recency bias creeps in.
All of our games were not televised back then as well. These defenses had to play against Oklahoma and Nebraska teams that were monsters. Neither one of those teams was going to get blown out had the CFP existed back then.
It is always tough to compare eras as well. One could argue for either defensive club and not be wrong IMO. I post this only to say that anyone that might think the 1983 and 1984 defenses were the best? They are not crazy, and they might be right.
I don't have an opinion myself and not certain I will force myself to "decide". Perhaps over the next 4 games this comparison becomes clearer. It is a huge compliment IMO to compare this current defense to the 1983 and 1984 teams, perhaps we should just rejoice both? Glad to see those 1983 and 1984 defensive teams to be remembered.
Win out and get to the CFP? Well, this defense will let its play on the field say it all.
One other prediction: If this defense keeps it up and continues to play well and is stamped as one of the best in the country? A bunch of our players will be drafted, and several will make the league. You don't do what they are doing without some NFL talent.
Defensive Line:
Leslie O-Neal - Nothing needs to be said here.
John Washington - Played in the NFL from 1986-1992
Rodney Harding - CFL All Star 1992 & 1994
David Webb - Not drafted but he was good.
Linebackers:
Matt Monger - Walk-On - Played for the Jets and Bills
James Spencer - Drafted 10th round by Vikings
James Ham - Not drafted but again, he was a good player.
Secondary:
Mark Moore - 4th round by Seattle
Adam Hinds - Drafted 9th Round by Miami
Raymond Polk - Drafted 12 round by Raiders
Chris Rockins - Drafted 2nd round by the Browns
Rod Brown - Denver Broncos and Ottawa Rough Riders
Rod Fisher - Drafted 12th round by Rams - Played for Saskatchewan CFL
All of my OU friends thought our secondary was the best in the country. This defense was LOADED.
Do not forget that our 1983 Defense when it played #1 Nebraska with the triplets, and NU not even having one single rushing play on offense go for negative yardage when they played OSU, opened the first series of the game against Nebraska by setting them back for 3 consecutive losses. That was the 6th game of the year. Prior to that NU had played: No 4 Penn State (44-6), Wyoming, Minnesota (scored 84), UCLA, and Syracuse. Not as if NU was playing scrubs. OSU held them to 14. OU held them to 28 and Miami (won NC) to 30. That defense was head and shoulders above great units at OU and Miami.
I am not going to argue one way or the other which defense was the best, my opinion is that when making these comparisons the team currently playing usually gets the nod because many never saw these older teams play, and recency bias creeps in.
All of our games were not televised back then as well. These defenses had to play against Oklahoma and Nebraska teams that were monsters. Neither one of those teams was going to get blown out had the CFP existed back then.
It is always tough to compare eras as well. One could argue for either defensive club and not be wrong IMO. I post this only to say that anyone that might think the 1983 and 1984 defenses were the best? They are not crazy, and they might be right.
I don't have an opinion myself and not certain I will force myself to "decide". Perhaps over the next 4 games this comparison becomes clearer. It is a huge compliment IMO to compare this current defense to the 1983 and 1984 teams, perhaps we should just rejoice both? Glad to see those 1983 and 1984 defensive teams to be remembered.
Win out and get to the CFP? Well, this defense will let its play on the field say it all.
One other prediction: If this defense keeps it up and continues to play well and is stamped as one of the best in the country? A bunch of our players will be drafted, and several will make the league. You don't do what they are doing without some NFL talent.
