ESPN Insider Top Defenses

[johngateswhiteley]

Gators, Tigers, Horns among top defensive units
Insider
McShay
By Todd McShay
Scouts Inc.
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High-octane offenses dominated college football over the past couple of seasons, but defenses are dominating in 2006. With so many teams chasing conference and national championships on the strength of their defenses, it's about time the playmakers on that side of the ball get noticed. Here's my breakdown of the top 10 defenses so far this season, including a focus on the premier difference maker on each respective unit:

1. Florida Gators
Difference maker: Safety Reggie Nelson
The Gators returned an outstanding front-seven with DT Marcus Thomas, DEs Ray McDonald and Jarvis Moss and LBs Earl Everett and Brandon Siler. But Nelson's development into one of the biggest ball hawks in college football is somewhat surprising. After playing a versatile role in the past for the Gators, he has thrived as the full-time starting free safety. Nelson shows excellent instincts, range and ball skills in coverage. The junior is tied for eighth nationally with four interceptions, and returned one pick 70 yards for a score against Alabama. He also came up big with a blocked kick in Saturday's win over LSU.

Glenn Dorsey
Byron Hetzler/US Presswire
Glenn Dorsey has made seven tackles for a loss in 2006.

2. LSU Tigers
Difference maker: DT Glenn Dorsey
Coordinator Bo Pelini's defense can't be targeted for blame in either of LSU's losses this season. The Tigers surrendered just one touchdown in a 7-3 loss at Auburn. Despite five turnovers committed by the offense and special teams, LSU held Florida to just 14 first downs and 21 points in its 23-10 loss (two points came from a safety) to the Gators. Through six games, the Tigers lead the nation in total defense (209.2 yards per game) and pass efficiency defense (85.3). Safety LaRon Landry continues to be the face of this unit, but Dorsey has been the biggest difference maker this fall. Dorsey's impact in the middle has allowed the Tigers' to overcome the losses of DTs Claude Wroten (Rams) and Kyle Williams (Bills) to the NFL. The 6-foot-2, 284-pound defensive tackle has been extremely disruptive as a one-gap penetrator against the run and has already notched seven tackles for loss, including two sacks. His presence in the middle has helped to free up defensive ends Tyson Jackson and Chase Pittman, who have combined for 9½ sacks this year.

3. Texas Longhorns
Difference maker: Safety Michael Griffin
As expected, Griffin has emerged as the Longhorn's defensive leader now that Michael Huff (Raiders) is playing on Sundays. Griffin has the size and tackling skills to hold up as a fourth linebacker when cheating up near the line of scrimmage. He also has great range when filling from the high-point against the run. The 6-foot, 205-pound senior leads Texas with 56 total tackles, while also contributing in coverage with three passes defended and one interception. Griffin's versatility allows defensive coordinator Gene Chizik to take more chances with eight-man fronts and personnel groupings. It also helps that Griffin is flanked by two solid cover corners (Tarell Brown and Aaron Ross) and the secondary gets excellent pass rush support from defensive ends Tim Crowder (four sacks) and Brian Robison (three sacks).

LaMarr Woodley
Leon Halip/WireImage.com
LaMarr Woodley leads the Wolverines with five sacks this season.

4. Michigan Wolverines
Difference maker: OLB LaMarr Woodley
From a statistical standpoint the Wolverines boast the nation's top run defense (40.3 ypg) and 10th best total defense (250.5 ypg) through six games this season. Credit first-year Ron English for getting the most out of this talented group. Woodley is one of several former underachievers on the Michigan defense that are finally playing to their potential in 2006. Defensive tackle Alan Branch has been a force in the middle. Outside linebacker Prescott Burgess has emerged as a versatile playmaker opposite Woodley. Cornerback Leon Hall has been a shut-down cover corner. Woodley is being used in a hybrid role as a defensive end when the Wolverines are in a four-man front and as an outside linebacker when they go to a 3-4 alignment. He is playing with a better motor against the run, and his five sacks tell the story of Woodley's pass-rushing prowess.

5. Ohio State Buckeyes
Difference maker: DT Quinn Pit
Pit is just one of two returning starters from last year's dominating defense. Through six games, though, you would think this unit had been playing together for years. The Buckeyes own the nation's top-ranked scoring defense (9.3 ppg) and they already have notched twice as many interceptions (12) as they did the entire 2005 season. The emergence of James Laurinaitis at middle linebacker and Malcolm Jenkins as a shut-down cover corner have been vital to Ohio State's success thus far, but Pit is clearly the difference maker on this side of the ball. The 295-pounder sets the tone with his quick first step and explosive short-area power. In addition to disrupting the run, Pit is making far more plays this season with 22 total tackles and five sacks through six games.

6. Auburn Tigers
Difference maker: OLB Will Herring
This unit suffered a setback when it allowed 279 rushing yards in the loss to Arkansas. As a whole, however, it still ranks sixth nationally in scoring defense (11.3 ppg) and it came up big in the 7-3 victory over SEC West rival LSU. One of Will Muschamp's first decisions as new defensive coordinator was to move Herring from strong safety to linebacker. The decision is paying dividends, as the senior transplant has already chipped in with 33 total tackles and two interceptions. Herring has improved the speed and athletic ability of the linebacker corps, and Auburn is no longer forced to overcome his limited his range in it defensive backfield. That should better equip the Tigers match up against the Gators' spread passing attack this Saturday.

Brian Smith
AP Photo/L.G. Patterson
Missouri's Brian Smith has registered seven sacks in 2006.

7. Missouri Tigers
Difference maker: DE Brian Smith
Missouri's defensive statistics are admittedly inflated thanks to a soft early schedule. Nonetheless, the Tigers are ranked among the nation's elite in scoring defense (eighth), rushing defense (10th) and total defense (11th). Linebackers Marcus Bacon and Dedrick Harrington make the majority of the plays against the run, but Smith is coordinator Matt Eberflus' biggest difference maker. Smith is an undersized end (6-4, 235) that uses his speed and athletic ability to keep unblocked. He is disruptive against the run and few defenders in the nation get more consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Smith ranks fourth nationally with seven sacks this season, which improves his school record to 31.

8. USC Trojans
Difference maker: MLB Rey Maualuga
Maualuga plays the starring role for a Trojan defense that ranks among the most improved units in college football. The sop re middle linebacker has thrived in his first season as a full-time starter and currently leads the team with 36 total tackles. At 6-3, 250 pounds, Maualuga displays outstanding quickness and agility for such a big linebacker. His natural instincts are obvious in how quickly he can diagnose a play. Thanks to the play of Maualuga and other defensive standouts such as DE Lawrence Jackson, OLB Keith Rivers and CB Terrell Thomas, the undefeated Trojans have overcome an injury-riddled and inconsistent offense thus far.

9. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Difference maker: ILB Philip Wheeler
Jon Tenuta deserves all the accolades he receives for his unique scheme and aggressive play-calling as Georgia Tech's defensive coordinator. Linebacker KaMichael Hall also deserves praise for his non-stop motor and consistent production as a third-year starter. At some point, though, Wheeler's impact must be recognized. Only a sop re, Wheeler is in his second season as a starting middle linebacker and currently leads the team in tackles for loss (8.5) and sacks (4). He is also second on the team with 39 total tackles. Wheeler is fast, aggressive and powerful. In the Yellow Jackets' biggest win this season at Virginia Tech on Sept. 30, Wheeler notched eight tackles, two of which combined for 25 yards of losses and forced a fumble.

10. Wisconsin Badgers
Difference maker: Strong safety Joe Stellmacher
This is one of the most underrated units on one of the more underrated teams in the country. Admittedly, the Badgers have played a weak schedule to date, but they did keep Michigan to its lowest scoring total (27) of the season. They rank ninth nationally in total defense (246.7 ypg) and 13th in scoring defense (12.8 ppg). Coach Bret Bielema was the team's defensive coordinator before Barry Alvarez handed him the head coaching reigns, so there's a strong emphasis on that side of the ball for the Badgers. MLB Mark Zalewski has been the face of this unit the past two seasons, but Stellmacher has emerged as the biggest playmaker in 2006. The 6-1, 222-pound senior leads the team with 45 total tackles and he also has been a ball hawk with two interceptions. Stellmacher's versatility affords Bielema the luxury of being extra aggressive and creative with alignments and blitz packages.

[LaMarcus Bryant]

This is actually the coolest thing you've ever posted. Thanks.

[JoeChalupa]

Ohio State is up there.

[sa_butta]

Wolverines run D is great but their pass D is not as good.