That was one heck of a d you had last year. Think this one could be as good?
Last year's team faced a truckload of good to elite offenses. Texas, Iowa, Penn St, Mich St, Minnesota, Northwestern, Notre Dame. (and Mich isn't even on that list). This year, outside of Texas, MSU and Mich I'm not sure the rest are locks to be offensive powers. As such, I don't think the defense has to be as excellent to be successful.
My contrast of the units:
DL: 06 - very good | 05 - good
LB: 06 - good | 06 - lights out
DB: 06 - somewhat good | 05 - good
the DL will be more disruptive, especially off the ends (Richardson will breakout, seniors step up under Tressel... ie Kudla). The LBs will be very solid, how great they can be is debatable IMO, Freeman is probably the only elite LB for most of 06 (Homan is a year or two away)... this year's DL will be allow our DC to run a legit nickel package with fast LBs (last year saw Carp to DE, Freeman hurt, thus Schlegel out there on 3rd and long). The secondary will have growing pains, and will not be as good at setting up the coverages. However, Salley was slow and whiffed on a lot of tackles last year (moreso than 04), and Youboty played hurt all year and could be burned. The 06 squad will make mistakes, but I feel that aggressive approach will also result in more big plays (OSU was uncharacteristically low for INTs in 05). Also, a more effective DL will make it easier on the back seven.