"Sanders knows the value of a good defense. And after another weekend slate filled with high-profile, one-score games, so should every coach leading a College Football Playoff contender as we reach the business end of a 2025 season in which the gap between the nation's top programs is seemingly narrower than ever before. LSU and Oklahoma, which each entered Saturday among the country's top-10 scoring defenses, got exposed in Week 9 losses to Texas A&M and Ole Miss."
"The Buckeyes are No. 3 nationally in defensive EPA, so nitpicking ways they can be better isn't easy. Ohio State is tops in the country in third-down defense (21.1%), red zone efficiency defense (16.7%) and fewest points allowed (41 total!). Still, as dominant as the Buckeyes have been under first-year defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, they could create more turnovers. Ohio State is tied for 57th with only nine forced turnovers, including only four interceptions (tied for 78th nationally)."
Colorado allowed 587 yards of offense, including 422 rushing yards, and lost 53-7 to Utah. Several top defenses were exposed in Week 9, including LSU and Oklahoma suffering losses to Texas A&M and Ole Miss. Tennessee, Missouri and Vanderbilt played a defensive slugfest, while Texas mounted a 17-point comeback aided by its defense. Indiana, Miami, Oregon and Texas Tech each held opponents to seven points or fewer, combining for a 161-20 margin. Ohio State ranks No. 3 in defensive EPA, leads in third-down and red-zone defense, but is tied for 57th in forced turnovers.
Read at ESPN.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]