We live in an age of football obsessed with big numbers on offense, but with the increased scoring comes an increased emphasis on solidifying defenses. Plenty of defensive coordinators are commanding high salaries now as championship contenders try to solve the spread/tempo revolution of the last decade-plus. Eight of the last 10 national champions have finished in the top 10 nationally in defensive yards per play, and all but one has placed in the top five of Football Outsiders’ S&P+ defensive ratings. Most vacant head coaching positions are being filled with offensive minds, but you can’t win a championship without a complete team. So, with the 2015 season just a few weeks away, let’s take a look at what could be the top 25 defenses this fall. 1. Alabama. There’s no doubt that the Crimson Tide have sported some cracks the last couple seasons. In last year’s Iron Bowl, they beat Auburn 55-44, allowing 456 passing yards to Nick Marshall. In the Sugar Bowl, they lost 42-35 to Ohio State, allowing 230 rushing yards to Ezekiel Elliott, in addition to struggling to handle Cardale Jones. Nick Saban is an expert secondary coach, but the secondary has been a weakness, particularly against teams that push the tempo and spread the field. Still, Alabama’s faults need to be put into context…
Continue Reading: Best Defenses in College Football
