TCU. The Horned Frogs
had the top ranked defense last season giving up just 240 yards and 12.8 points
per game. With seven starters back
should hold on to the title once again. TCU
did lose All-American defensive end Jerry Hughes, but the rest of the core group
returns. Despite playing in the MWC, this
is an elite defense that could compete in any conference. TCU is poised to make another run at the BCS
title game.
Ohio
State. Nicknamed the Silver Bullets, the Buckeyes’
defense is almost always in the top ten.
2010 will not be an exception.
Co-DC’s Jim Heacock and Luke Fickell are sitting in a rare situation –
strong returning talent and depth at every position. With Cameron Heyward, Ross Homan and Chimdi Chekwa
leading the way, the Buckeyes are primed to make it to a fourth BCS title
game. If they can stay healthy, this
unit might finish #1.
North Carolina. No one is surprised that the Tar Heels have a
fantastic defense. HC Butch Davis
produced some of the best defenses ever while coaching Miami in the 1990’s. Davis has
quickly assembled the same type of defense in Chapel Hill. The defensive line alone is incredible. Marvin Austin and Robert Quinn are both top
ten NFL talents. Coupled with FS Deunta
Williams and LB Quan Sturdivant, NC’s defense will be tough to penetrate. If the Heels can find an offense, they might
just make a run at the title.
Auburn. It seems like some team in the SEC always
ends up in the top five, and this year that team appears to be Auburn. HC Gene Chizik is a defensive mastermind, and
his top lieutenant Ted Roof is a wizard.
With eight returning starters, they will produce the stout defense necessary
to make a run through the SEC West. Josh
Bynes, Mike Blanc and Craig Stevens will be household names before the end of
the year.
Nebraska. HC Bo Pelini has quickly turned around the Nebraska program, and despite
losing Ndamukong Suh to the NFL, the 2010 Cornhuskers’ defense will be
great. They might even be good enough to
officially bring back the Black Shirts. Jared
Crick and Prince Amukamura are All-American candidates, and LB Will Compton was a beast as a
freshman last year. The Cornhuskers are
a favorite to win the Big 12 which means they will be in the hunt for the BCS
Title game too.
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