NCAAF · 11 months ago

Who Has the Strongest Defense? CFP’s Top 12 Teams Ranked

Grant White

Host · Writer

1. Ohio State Buckeyes
Yards per Game: 241.1 (1st)
Points per Game: 10.9 (1st)

In terms of defense, no team compares to the Ohio State Buckeyes. Despite playing against some of the best offensive teams in the country, they lead the FBS in scoring and total defense. We'll see if defense actually does win championships.
12. Clemson Tigers
Yards per Game: 364.9 (65th)
Points per Game: 22.3 (T42nd)

Defense didn't come naturally for the Clemson Tigers this year. The ACC Champs struggled mightily on the defensive side of the ball, relegating them to the 12th seed in this year's College Football Playoff.
11. Boise State Broncos
Yards per Game: 361.9 (61st)
Points per Game: 21.9 (T36th)

The Boise State Broncos needed every bit of their offensive production, as their defense wasn't going to win them many games. While they stood up against the UNLV Rebels in the MWC Championship Game, they'll face far superior offenses in the playoffs.
10. Arizona State Sun Devils
Yards per Game: 336.9 (36th)
Points per Game: 21.3 (T30th)

The Arizona State Sun Devils finished the year with some middling defensive metrics. Unless they find a way to tighten their standard, it could mean an early exit for ASU.
9. SMU Mustangs
Yards per Game: 326.1 (28th)
Points per Game: 20.8 (28th)

In their first season in the ACC, the SMU Mustangs proved they are a force to be reckoned with. Still, they couldn't limit the Clemson Tigers in the championship game and didn't face the most daunting schedule.
8. Georgia Bulldogs
Yards per Game: 336.5 (35th)
Points per Game: 20.4 (23rd)

At first glance, the Georgia Bulldogs' defensive metrics appear uninspired. However, those totals look more impressive when adjusted for opponent. Georgia had the toughest schedule this season while containing some truly elite offenses.
7. Oregon Ducks
Yards per Game: 301.9 (11th)
Points per Game: 17.8 (T13th)

Defensively, the Oregon Ducks employed a bend but don't break mentality this season. They'll need to maximize offensive output to offset some of their defensive challenges if the Ducks hope to win the National Championship.
6. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Yards per Game: 296.8 (8th)
Points per Game: 13.6 (3rd)

While the Notre Dame Fighting Irish deserve credit for their stout defensive performance, their metrics look less inspired when adjusted for opponent. They struggled to contain the USC Trojans in Week 14, which is a bad omen heading into a first-round matchup versus the Indiana Hoosiers.
5. Penn State Nittany Lions
Yards per Game: 282.1 (6th)
Points per Game: 16.4 (8th)

The Big Ten has earned a reputation for producing some of the top defensive teams in the country. The Penn State Nittany Lions are no exception. Penn State stymied its opponents all season, finishing with the sixth-ranked total defense and eighth-ranked scoring defense.
4. Tennessee Volunteers
Yards per Game: 278.0 (4th)
Points per Game: 13.9 (T4th)

Take note of the Tennessee Volunteers' defensive proficiency. The Vols ranked top four in total and scoring defense, with only one team recording more than 23 points against them this season.
3. Indiana Hoosiers
Yards per Game: 244.8 (3rd)
Points per Game: 14.7 (6th)

No team was more efficient on both sides of the football than the Indiana Hoosiers. Indiana has elite potential on defense, making them a true dark horse to upset the playoff balance.
2. Texas Longhorns
Yards per Game: 249.8 (3rd)
Points per Game: 12.5 (2nd)

Earlier in the season, the Texas Longhorns were being commended for their top offense, but as the season progressed, we started to see how truly special this defense is.
1. Ohio State Buckeyes
Yards per Game: 241.1 (1st)
Points per Game: 10.9 (1st)

In terms of defense, no team compares to the Ohio State Buckeyes. Despite playing against some of the best offensive teams in the country, they lead the FBS in scoring and total defense. We'll see if defense actually does win championships.
12. Clemson Tigers
Yards per Game: 364.9 (65th)
Points per Game: 22.3 (T42nd)

Defense didn't come naturally for the Clemson Tigers this year. The ACC Champs struggled mightily on the defensive side of the ball, relegating them to the 12th seed in this year's College Football Playoff.

Who Has the Strongest Defense? CFP’s Top 12 Teams Ranked

Yards per Game: 241.1 (1st)
Points per Game: 10.9 (1st)

Yards per Game: 364.9 (65th)
Points per Game: 22.3 (T42nd)

Yards per Game: 361.9 (61st)
Points per Game: 21.9 (T36th)

Yards per Game: 336.9 (36th)
Points per Game: 21.3 (T30th)

Yards per Game: 326.1 (28th)
Points per Game: 20.8 (28th)

Yards per Game: 336.5 (35th)
Points per Game: 20.4 (23rd)

Yards per Game: 301.9 (11th)
Points per Game: 17.8 (T13th)

Yards per Game: 296.8 (8th)
Points per Game: 13.6 (3rd)

Yards per Game: 282.1 (6th)
Points per Game: 16.4 (8th)

Yards per Game: 278.0 (4th)
Points per Game: 13.9 (T4th)

Yards per Game: 244.8 (3rd)
Points per Game: 14.7 (6th)

Yards per Game: 249.8 (3rd)
Points per Game: 12.5 (2nd)

Yards per Game: 241.1 (1st)
Points per Game: 10.9 (1st)

Yards per Game: 364.9 (65th)
Points per Game: 22.3 (T42nd)

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Yards per Game: 241.1 (1st) Points per Game: 10.9 (1st)

Yards per Game: 364.9 (65th) Points per Game: 22.3 (T42nd)

Yards per Game: 361.9 (61st) Points per Game: 21.9 (T36th)

Yards per Game: 336.9 (36th) Points per Game: 21.3 (T30th)

Yards per Game: 326.1 (28th) Points per Game: 20.8 (28th)

Yards per Game: 336.5 (35th) Points per Game: 20.4 (23rd)

Yards per Game: 301.9 (11th) Points per Game: 17.8 (T13th)

Yards per Game: 296.8 (8th) Points per Game: 13.6 (3rd)

Yards per Game: 282.1 (6th) Points per Game: 16.4 (8th)

Yards per Game: 278.0 (4th) Points per Game: 13.9 (T4th)

Yards per Game: 244.8 (3rd) Points per Game: 14.7 (6th)

Yards per Game: 249.8 (3rd) Points per Game: 12.5 (2nd)

Yards per Game: 241.1 (1st) Points per Game: 10.9 (1st)

Yards per Game: 364.9 (65th) Points per Game: 22.3 (T42nd)

Yards per Game: 241.1 (1st)
Points per Game: 10.9 (1st)

Yards per Game: 364.9 (65th)
Points per Game: 22.3 (T42nd)

Yards per Game: 361.9 (61st)
Points per Game: 21.9 (T36th)

Yards per Game: 336.9 (36th)
Points per Game: 21.3 (T30th)

Yards per Game: 326.1 (28th)
Points per Game: 20.8 (28th)

Yards per Game: 336.5 (35th)
Points per Game: 20.4 (23rd)

Yards per Game: 301.9 (11th)
Points per Game: 17.8 (T13th)

Yards per Game: 296.8 (8th)
Points per Game: 13.6 (3rd)

Yards per Game: 282.1 (6th)
Points per Game: 16.4 (8th)

Yards per Game: 278.0 (4th)
Points per Game: 13.9 (T4th)

Yards per Game: 244.8 (3rd)
Points per Game: 14.7 (6th)

Yards per Game: 249.8 (3rd)
Points per Game: 12.5 (2nd)

Yards per Game: 241.1 (1st)
Points per Game: 10.9 (1st)

Yards per Game: 364.9 (65th)
Points per Game: 22.3 (T42nd)