BCS Standings: 7 Contenders with Defenses That Just Aren't National Title Worthy

Defense trumps offense.

It's that simple.

These teams, while they might have some incredible offenses and solid special teams to score points, give up yards and points with startling regularity.

Not good.

This season, it has been demonstrated over and over again that offense wins games, but the team with the better defense in nearly every game has emerged unscathed.

The teams on this list still have a shot at the BCS title game, but will be hindered by the play of their defensive units.

7. Clemson Tigers

It might be a long-shot, but there is a scenario where Clemson could be in the title mix once again if they can win out, including the ACC Championship game.

Here is the problem for the Tigers.

They can't stop the run.

While the defense sits at 66th in the country in total yards allowed, nearly average, the rushing defense is 94th, allowing over 193 yards on the ground per contest and nearly five yards per carry.

They are also allowing their opponents to score at an alarming rate when they enter the red zone.

The Tigers' foes have scored 24 of 28 times that they have reached the red zone, which does not bode well for the Tigers against solid rushing teams that are efficent inside the 20.

Of course, they have nobody like that on their remaining schedule, but if they make the BCS title game, you an bet their opponent will have both of those components to their offense.

6. Michigan Wolverines

I know, it's a long-shot, but the Wolverines are still legitimately in the national title hunt.

However, given the way their defense has performed, that won't last long.

They just seem to have a propensity for allowing big plays.

And honestly, if it weren't for Notre Dame's willingness to give up the ball so easily, the Wolverines would have lost that game.

There is marked improvement from this unit, but with several tough games remaining on the schedule, they won't make the Rose Bowl, much less the BCS title game, and the fault for that lies with the defense.

5. Stanford Cardinal

The Cardinal are only allowing 328.9 yards of offense per game, so why did they make this list?

Their schedule has been extremely lame to this point.

While they beat both of the ranked opponents they have faced thus far, the Cardinal gave up 430 or more total yards to both teams.

This does not bode well for their upcoming tilt with Oregon.

The loss of Shayne Skov earlier in the year was a blow, and has, thus far, had minimal effect on the defense.

However, against a team such as Oregon, or even Notre Dame, the Cardinal are going to lose if they allow 400 plus yards of offense.

4. Nebraska Cornhuskers

There are finally "Blackshirts" in Lincoln.

Bo Pelini finally felt as if his defense has made enough progress to hand out a couple.

However, the Huskers' defense is still a question mark.

While their road to the title game is a bit tenuous and would require some help, it's still possible.

That said, the Huskers better hope the defense can stop a good offense.

In their one game against a really potent offense this season, the Huskers were absolutely demoralized, losing by 31 points.

Granted, their points allowed have gone down every game since then, but none of those contests have been against an offense that can really pack a punch.

If Nebraska makes the conference title game, and sees Wisconsin across the field, yet again, they better hope this defense has figured out how to slow that offense.

3. Arkansas Razorbacks

To this point in the season, the Razorbacks have only one loss to their name.

They have not looked great the last two weeks and have a huge tilt with South Carolina this weekend, but if the cards fall right, they still have a shot at the SEC and BCS title games.

However, after giving up 24 points to Vandy, and 28 to Ole Miss in consecutive weeks. There is reason for concern.

The Hogs are allowing nearly 400 yards of total offense and over 5.5 yards per play.

For a team that still has to face two teams that could make the SEC title game, this is a telling statistic.

2. Oregon Ducks

The Ducks don't need a whole lot of defense because the offense is ridiculous.

However, should they somehow win out and leapfrog a couple front-runners, we will see the Ducks in a replay of last season's title game.

And their defense fell just short in that one.

This year, with some new guys rotating into the lineup, they check in at 72 in total defense, which might be a problem down the road.

While they have a very good shot at finishing the season without a loss, we have already seen what a team with a mediocre offense and stout defense (LSU) could do to the Ducks, and it wasn't pretty.

1. Oklahoma State Cowboys

The Cowboys have one of the most potent offenses in the college game, but, as always, the defense leaves a little something to be desired.

They check in at 110th nationally in total defense, sandwiched between North Texas and UNLV.

While the defense doesn't have to be lights out for this team to win, we have seen time and again that the better defense usually wins football games, unless your offense is completely inept.

For that reason, the Cowboys will struggle in Bedlam, and if they do make it past the Sooners, and have to face either LSU or Alabama in the title game, they are in trouble.

The Cowboys are yielding 5.5 yards per pop to their foes and allowing a massive 455 yards per contest.