Commander's Call: Auburn's Defense Very Capable of a BCS Championship Run

Auburn's defense is better than their statistical rankings, as evident by the team's 8-0 record. 

As advertised, Auburn's defense and oft-maligned coordinator Ted Roof have been challenged and disrespected by everyone from a loyal fanbase all the way to Kirk Herbstreit and his mentor "Thlow Thowltz."

However, the outcome of the season will be decided by the Auburn defense and their ability to close out tight games in the fourth quarter.  No one has more swagger than the Auburn team, which is brimming with team chemistry, united in the unilateral purpose of fulfilling the team motto, "Good to Great." 

Tackles for Loss

The Power Slam

NICK FAIRLEY.  PERIOD.

Hardest-Hitting Defense in the SEC

LB Josh Bynes lowers the boom on a Clemson ball carrier.

The Auburn defense has made a name for itself this season by hitting hard. They've been referred to by many as the hardest-hitting defense in college football. 

When questioning a team's defense, we measure statistics up front.  And we should do that, but the intangibles—the immeasurable factors like QBs injured and predictability of outcomes—become a huge factor in deciding the final score.

LSU, Clemson, USC and Arkansas all felt the effects of a hard-hitting defense.  Some victims played injured.  Most sat down. 

Force Turnovers

Auburn's fourth-quarter forte is takeaways: true.

Defense wins championships: true.

Games are won and lost in the trenches: true.

I know real football gurus recognize the defensive unit's knack for fumble recoveries and interceptions in crucial moments of games. 

Going 8-0 doesn't come easy. 

This team didn't get to be No. 1 in the BCS on the heels of Cam Newton alone. The defense, although recently caught up in two shootouts with Kentucky and Arkansas, is a unit with significant leadership and the right personnel. They're responsible for a BCS dream unfolding into a reality.

Josh Bynes

Josh Bynes, the senior leader and starting middle linebacker, is having an outstanding season. 

He is like having a coach on the field, and his ability to make big plays in crunch time is evident by his three fourth-quarter interceptions this year.

Disrupting the Decision-Making Process of the Opposing Quarterback

A hard-nosed and aggressive defensive style that meets at the QB on a regular basis is enough to win most games in college football.  This seems to be Auburn's philosophy, and personally, I love it. 

As a fan of a sport that is as abrasive and violent as it is fast and graceful, I realize that to knock someone of the game without severely injuring them has probably been football's second-most important game plan in the history of the sport.

The first is "Clobber the Quarterback!"  Auburn does exactly that. 

With Cam Newton and the offense clicking on all cylinders, this team is about three to four games away from actually peaking and hitting its potential.  Wonder who the victims will be then?