While No. 2 Ohio State and No. 4 Michigan are among the nation’s top five scoring teams, the Big Ten Conference is just as good on defense. After the first month of the season, the league has seven of the nation’s top 25 defensive teams in terms of scoring defense, led by No. 8 Wisconsin. The Badgers are seventh, giving up an average of 11.8 points. Ohio State (12.3 points) is ninth, Iowa (13.5) is tied for 11th, Michigan (13.8) is 13th, Maryland and Northwestern are tied for 22nd at 17 points and Nebraska (18.0) is tied for 25th. Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald said the conference was in a similar position halfway through last season. “The defensive coaches in this league are very sound,” he said. “You don’t see typically a lot of guys running uncovered on plays that go for 60, 70 or 80 yards. Most of the defenses have become very sound, team orientated and very athletic, talented and physical.” Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst said that many coaches have long adhered to the practice of putting their best recruits on defense. Looking at Michigan’s defense for this weekend, Chryst said there isn’t one player to stop. There are…
Continue Reading: Defense might be the Big Ten Conference's football trademark
