As offense has evolved, defense has as well. Gone are the days of the 350 lb nose tackle plugging the middle, because no one is leaning on that running game to do 90% of the work anymore. Now, everyone on defense must be athletic, and just as athletic and fast as the guys on the opposing offense. Linebackers are playing at just a shade over 220 lbs now. Defensive backs are not 6'3", 225, they are 5'11", 200. And fast. I think it all comes to a head in tackling. These guys are just not as big and strong. They are quick. Being in position is less important now, because only the fastest guys on the opposing offense will be able to outrun the defensive secondary in a footrace. But, they will get yards, and by default, scores.
Defensive philosophy, to me, is to work with what you have. You have fast, small-ish, athletic guys on defense. They can make up ground quickly, but they might not be sure tacklers, and stopping the run while also tracking the middle of the field, is not going to be easy. We are giving up a lot of yards on plays that are sure-fire passing situations, and we are opting to yield those yards, as we can catch an open receiver who just caught a pass. Problem is, we are out of position to stop the completion in the first place. Man to man defense is my best solution for this. Even a spy, for the QB runs that inevitably break loose. Zone is not going to work, and blitzing puts too many guys out of position on a quick release or running free QB. Blitzing is only effective against a pocket passer who isn't a risk to get past those rushers. I want those defenders to be indeed to be on an island, but excellent in man coverage.
If we don't have that available, or can't get it coached up, then I have no solution for defense. Against UGA, throw everything I just said out the window. Bennett is not the running QB we struggle against. He's not lead-footed, but it's not how UGA has operated through this season so far. Pressure him into mistakes.