Top Ten College Football Defenses of 2024

10. BYU Cougars

The BYU Cougars are one of the most surprising teams in the country through six games. The Cougars were expected to be near the basement of the new-look Big 12, but they roared to the top of the standings on the back of an opportunistic offense and a stellar defensive performance. The Cougars are eighth in the country at just 4.3 yards per play allowed and have forced 12 turnovers while being penalized only 26 times in total. BYU has not had many lockdown games, but they have been steady throughout, holding a good SMU team to 15 points, limiting Kansas State to just nine points, and beating Arizona 41-19. They now play Oklahoma State and UCF before their rivalry game against Utah.

Week 8: BYU (-9) vs. Oklahoma State

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2. Ohio State Buckeyes

Ohio State fans are not feeling great about things, but despite Oregon’s offense putting up good numbers against them, the Buckeyes have an outstanding defense. In my opinion, the greatness of the defensive line has always been a bit overblown, but there is unquestionably a lot of talent in the front four. Playing the productive Caden Curry a bit more and the inconsistent JT Tuimoloau a bit less could be helpful. The talent of the safeties is where this defense separates itself. Sonny Styles leads the team with 39 tackles, Lathan Ransom has 29, and Caleb Downs is everywhere and covers a lot of mistakes with his speed and versatility. The Buckeyes gave up way too many explosive plays against Oregon, but the Ducks have a great offense and will do that to most teams they face. OSU’s fate will be determined by how they respond and perform at Penn State in early November.

3. Tennessee Volunteers

Tennessee is a shaky 5-1 thus far, but the defense is not the problem. The Volunteers are second in the nation, allowing just 3.9 yards per play, and have allowed only 10.7 points per game with no opponent scoring more than 19 (Arkansas). They held NC State to ten, shut out Kent State, locked up OU, and then limited Florida to 17 points despite the game going to overtime. Opponents are running for just 2.24 yards per rush, and the Vols have forced an impressive 16 fumbles. James Pearce has not gotten going on the edge yet, so there is room for the defense to go up another level. The Volunteers need the offense to hold up its end of the bargain, and it needs to happen very quickly as they host Alabama on Saturday.

Week 8: Alabama (-2.5) at Tennessee

4. Ole Miss Rebels

The Ole Miss Rebels have two losses, and their season is teetering on the brink, but the defense deserves credit for a terrific season thus far. The Rebels pressure the passer incredibly well, and they have already amassed 24 sacks, with five players racking up at least 2.5. Through seven games, Ole Miss has only given up 10.6 points per game and just 4.1 yards per play (third in the country). They held a decent Wake Forest offense to six points, shut down South Carolina on the road, and LSU needed overtime to reach 29. The defensive front has been dominant against the run (1.96 yards per rush), and they’ll need to find their footing again during the bye week before a stretch run that includes games at Arkansas and against Georgia in Oxford.

5. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Admittedly, Notre Dame’s defense is a bit difficult to evaluate. The secondary is unquestionably good. The Fighting Irish have outstanding safeties and corners and limited opposing quarterbacks to an average passer rating of 93.75. However, they have played subpar offenses, and the rush defense is not elite. This defense passes the eye test and is getting the benefit of the doubt with this ranking. Notre Dame allows only 29 percent of third downs to be converted, and teams are only 3-for-15 on fourth down. They held Texas A&M to 13 points, and only Louisville breached the 20-point mark (a 31-24 ND win). The Fighting Irish run defense will be tested mightily for the next two weeks against Georgia Tech and Navy.

Week 8: Notre Dame (-11.5) at Georgia Tech

6. Penn State Nittany Lions

Penn State’s defensive point totals don’t look elite, but the Nittany Lions have a solid defense. They gave up 27 to Bowling Green and 30 to USC last weekend, but PSU also held West Virginia to 12, shut out Kent State, and limited Illinois and UCLA to a combined 18 points. Penn State is limiting opponents to only 4.3 yards per play and has an elite sack artist in Abdul Carter. If there is a weakness, it could prove to be the run defense. USC had quite a bit of success on the ground in PSU’s overtime win, something Ohio State will undoubtedly try to replicate when they meet in early November.

Week 9: PSU (-11.5) at Wisconsin

7. Texas A&M Aggies

Mike Elko is a defensive coach, and his team will play solid defense. Give him the talent available in College Station, and the floor for the Aggies on defense is probably a top-20 unit. Their overall numbers are not quite as strong as those around them on this list, but the Aggies are settling in and improving every week. After giving up 23 to Notre Dame and 20 to Bowling Green, the Aggies gave up only 17 to Arkansas and then ten in a dominant thumping of Missouri. Opponents are converting only 30 percent of third downs and have snagged seven interceptions. The Aggies play at Mississippi State before hosting LSU in a massive game with College Football Playoff implications.

Week 8: Texas A&M (-14.5) at Mississippi State

8. Nebraska Cornhuskers

Matt Rhule is a terrific program-builder, and the Nebraska Cornhuskers have an outstanding defensive staff. The Huskers allow only 11.3 points per game and 4.37 yards per play. The rushing defense has been the strength, and Nebraska is the only team in the country not to allow a rushing touchdown this season. Opponents are averaging only 2.7 yards per carry, and Nebraska has a pair of terrific interior linemen that lock up the line of scrimmage. The Huskers have only allowed more than ten points to one opponent, Illinois in an overtime loss. Nebraska gets a tough test on Saturday as they play one of the nation’s more prolific offenses on the road in Bloomington.

Week 8: Nebraska at Indiana (-6.5)

9. Army Black Knights

The Army Black Knights are a dominant 6-0, and they have been propelled by the best rushing attack in the country and a defense that gives up only 9.8 points per game. Granted, Army’s offensive style and ball control certainly help the Black Knights’ defense, and they have yet to play a team with even an above-average offense, but Army has only given up totals of 7, 7, 14, 14, 7, and ten points. They won’t be tested until a November 9 trip to North Texas and then a massive home game against Notre Dame.

Week 8: East Carolina at Army (-15.5)

10. BYU Cougars

The BYU Cougars are one of the most surprising teams in the country through six games. The Cougars were expected to be near the basement of the new-look Big 12, but they roared to the top of the standings on the back of an opportunistic offense and a stellar defensive performance. The Cougars are eighth in the country at just 4.3 yards per play allowed and have forced 12 turnovers while being penalized only 26 times in total. BYU has not had many lockdown games, but they have been steady throughout, holding a good SMU team to 15 points, limiting Kansas State to just nine points, and beating Arizona 41-19. They now play Oklahoma State and UCF before their rivalry game against Utah.

Week 8: BYU (-9) vs. Oklahoma State

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