College Football 2011: The Top 10 Defensive Showdowns Next Season
Defense wins championships, even in college football. One year of Cam Newton and LaMichael James lighting up scoreboards doesn't change the underlying fact that a dominant defense will win you an awful lot of games and an awful lot of titles.
For those who want proof, read on for ten matchups to watch that will pit two great defenses against each other in 2011.
10. NC State at Boston College, November 12
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It’s not going to be a fun game for the running backs, as Boston College’s top-ranked run defense squares off with the Wolfpack and their No. 10 ranking against the rush.
NC State has eight starters back on defense, including playmaking tackle J.R. Sweezy, who had 5.5 sacks last year.
9. Florida at South Carolina, November 12
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The Gators’ run defense, featuring tackles Omar Hunter and Jay Howard, will face a stiff test in this one as they try to contain Gamecocks star Marcus Lattimore.
As for South Carolina, their run defense was the ninth-best in the country, and with DE Devin Taylor returning to anchor the line, it should give the Gators a serious challenge in it's own right.
8. Texas at Missouri, November 12
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Even with Aldon Smith headed for the NFL, the Tigers’ pass rush will be formidable thanks to standout DEs Jacquies Smith and Brad Madison (pictured, left).
Texas will likely have some new looks under first-year defensive coordinator Manny Diaz, but they will return several key personnel from last year’s No. 7 unit in total defense. Expect LBs Emmanuel Acho and Keenan Robinson to pace this year’s squad.
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7. LSU at West Virginia, September 24
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The Mountaineers had the nation’s second-best scoring defense and run defense a year ago, and while graduation has thinned their ranks, the return of standout CB Keith Tandy (six INTs) and LB Najee Goode will keep them dangerous.
The Tigers’ secondary, dangerous even without NFL-bound Patrick Peterson, will test West Virginia QB Geno Smith.
6. Boston College at Miami, November 26
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This one features a showdown of star linebackers, as Miami’s Sean Spence (110 tackles last season) faces off with the Eagles’ Luke Kuechly (an ACC-high 183 tackles; pictured, bottom).
Miami’s second-ranked pass defense will get a boost from the return of DT Olivier Vernon (six sacks last year).
5. TCU at Air Force, Date TBA
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TCU, last year’s top-ranked defense in the country at everything except stopping the run (where they were No. 3), lost quite a bit of talent to graduation.
On the other hand, head coach Gary Patterson has a track record of reloading quickly on that side of the ball, and veteran leadership from LB Tank Carder (pictured) will help the newcomers find their stride.
The Falcons, No. 5 nationally against the pass a year ago, bring back key DBs like seniors Anthony Wright and Jon Davis.
4. Ohio State at Nebraska, October 8
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The Buckeyes were in the top four nationally in all four defensive categories last year, and while they’ve lost a lot of starters, past experience says they have plenty of talent waiting to take over. Expect DT John Simon and LB Andrew Sweat to anchor next year’s squad.
Nebraska brings the No. 8 scoring defense in the country to the Big Ten, and with likely All-America DT Jared Crick (pictured) leading a strong group of returnees, they aren’t likely to drop off much this season.
3. Florida at LSU, October 8
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The Tigers’ defense, eighth in the country in total defense a year ago, will showcase linebacker Ryan Baker, coming off a seven-sack season.
Gators star CB Janoris Jenkins (pictured), who had three interceptions and eight pass breakups last year, will make LSU pay for any mistakes in the passing game.
2. Alabama at Florida, October 1
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Marcell Dareus may be gone, but the Tide’s sixth-ranked total defense will still be formidable behind LB Dont’a Hightower (pictured).
LB Jelani Jenkins, the Gators’ top returning tackler, will face a serious challenge trying to contain Trent Richardson and the Alabama rushing attack. The Gators’ total defense was ninth in the country a season ago.
1. LSU at Alabama, November 5
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Both quarterbacks will have to be on their toes in this matchup. Alabama, the fifth-best scoring defense in the country a year ago, brings back a loaded secondary led by safeties Mark Barron and Robert Lester (pictured).
LSU’s ninth-ranked pass defense will be led by star CB Morris Claiborne, whose five interceptions last year outpaced even teammate Patrick Peterson.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
