It has been said that offense gets the glory, but defense wins championships. Most people acknowledge the college football game as four quarters of deep passes thrown from notorious quarterbacks, trick plays that make instant ESPN highlights and high scores. It has been the defenses, however, that have quietly been the backbone of the elite Division I teams.
The 2001 Rose Bowl saw the record-setting Miami Hurricanes win the national championship by keeping up with their reputation of blowout wins. Amidst the attention-getting offense, however, was a defense that was just as potent. It is often overlooked that Nebraska entered that Rose Bowl with a running game that had dominated the Big 12, as well as a Heisman-winning quarterback. None of this could prevent a rout and a perfect season for the Hurricanes.
Looking at each of the national championship games since the advent of the BCS system, it can be seen that each game featured a team whose defense rivaled its offense. Oklahoma (2000 Orange Bowl) and Virginia Tech (1999 Sugar Bowl), despite having prime time quarterbacks, were seen as teams whose respective defenses were the reasons for their success.
The common denominator for top defenses lately has been the unmistakable element of speed. In this day in age, linebackers can run like safeties and hit like linemen, while speedy and bigger defensive backs patrol the secondary with a force that has never been seen before. It is no coincidence that these characteristics can be seen among the elite defenses in college football. Miami's secondary, for instance, saw every starter drafted in last spring's NFL draft, with three going in the first round.
Team statistics serve as evidence of defensive superiority; one need only to look as far as the number of top 25 teams among the leaders. Out of the top 10 teams in offense, only three are ranked in the top 25. In rushing offense, none are ranked.
Conversely, in pass defense there are five ranked teams that are in the top 10 of that category ' in rush defense, six teams. Most notable are the top 10 teams in total defense, as seven of them are nationally ranked teams.
College football scores are usually high, so a team that can contain explosive offenses while scoring points of its own exhibits the logical formula for success. This was seen in the September game between Marshall and Virginia Tech, where the Thundering Herd's inability to run up the score doomed them.
The increased emphasis on defensive speed brings with it another threat: defensive scoring, which has made the difference in several key games. Texas saw its Rose Bowl hopes dashed last year when Oklahoma's Roy Williams leaped over the offensive line and delivered a blindside hit on senior quarterback Chris Simms, causing the ball to pop loose into the hands of a Sooner defensive lineman for the game-sealing touchdown.
Additionally, Miami's championship run was saved by an interception against Boston College, which Ed Reed returned for a score. Both of the above-mentioned playmakers are currently in the NFL. This year, the top 10 of scoring defenses includes a shocking nine ranked teams. This is unlikely a coincidence, as a defense with the ability to consistently threaten to score (or even just force a turnover) greatly affects opposing game plans.
If history repeats itself, this year's national championship game will not feature teams who simply produce the most impressive offensive statistics, but teams who are not forced to rely on only half of their squad. Several Fiesta Bowl contenders meet this criteria. Virginia Tech, led by senior defensive end Nathaniel Adibi, lead the nation in rushing defense and scoring defense. Texas' defense has been able to maintain consistency from last year after nationally renowned senior defensive end Cory Redding opted not to declare for the draft.
Oklahoma aims to continue their defensive ways with a front line including the highly regarded tandem of sophomore defensive lineman Tommie Harris and junior defensive end Jimmy Wilkerson. The defensive backfield is not to be underestimated either, with senior cornerback Derrick Strait and junior Andre Woolfolk, the latter a converted wide receiver from OU's championship season.
Not to be forgotten, Miami boasts a strong defensive line that includes two NFL prospects in seniors Jerome McDougle and William Joseph. The Hurricane defense has looked extremely impressive in the early games of the 2002 season, resulting in a unanimous No. 1 ranking.
Though it is unlikely that defenders will soon receive the same glory as their counterparts on offense (none have made a serious run for the Heisman since Charles Woodson won it in 1997), the effect of a dominant defense cannot be ignored.
