Troy Renck: The 1970s had the Crush, 2015 boasted the Rush, and in 2024, the Broncos feature the Orange Crutch defense. The Broncos are averaging 15.5 points per game. They are winning, two straight as of Sunday, because Vance Joseph’s defense is attacking, netting 19 sacks in four games. It is weird talking about the Broncos suffocating opponents a year after being the league’s worst through the first month, but well-deserved. But what about the CU Buffs? Robert Livingston is emerging as a legit defensive boss. He makes more adjustments in one series than his predecessor did all last season. So, Sean, who do you think is the better and hotter defensive coordinator right now: Joseph or Livingston?
Sean Keeler: VJ’s building a beast. The Broncos came out of Sunday night ranked third among NFL defenses in points allowed per game (13.8), second in total yards allowed (256.5) and fourth in opponent passing yards per contest (146). When the names change and the numbers improve, that’s a hat-tip to the coordinator. All that being said, I’d still give Livingston the nod. Why? I’ve got a few stats, but this is the biggie: In roughly a season, the Buffs have gone from being ranked 117th, per BCFToys.com, in points allowed per drive vs. FBS foes (2.78) in 2023 to 34th (1.70) through five games in 2024. The last time CU had a defense ranked among the top 40 nationally in scoring efficiency? 2016. That fall sure worked out OK, didn’t it?
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Renck: CU stopping anyone after last season comes as a surprise. So we are all recalibrating. The Buffs are good defensively and getting better. They have figured out the personnel at linebacker, and are getting great anchoring inside. But just because you held Central Florida, the No. 1 rushing team, to 177 yards, 198 below their average, it was not more impressive than what VJ’s Broncos …read more
Source:: The Denver Post – Sports
