As we near the end of the season, it’s interesting to see the strengths of the top 6 playoff teams start to emerge. If you take the last 15 – 20 national champions, the one statistic that seems to be a common threat is total defense, particularly scoring defense. FSU finished #1 in defense last year and when the SEC made their sweep of 7 straight national championships, all of those teams had great defenses. Going back even further to the run that Miami and FSU made and you throw in Tennessee’s and Oklahoma’s national championship ……. all of them had great defenses.
Now if you look at this years group of the top 6, in total defense, FSU is #57, Alabama is #6, Oregon is #107, Mississippi State is #79, Baylor is #14, and TCU is #47. Defenses are having a hard time keeping up with these “hurry up no huddle” offenses. On the other hand, let’s look at which of the top 6 teams have a good chance at having a player in New York for the Heisman Trophy ceremony. Oregon -Marcus Mariota, FSU – Jameis Winston, Mississippi State – Dak Prescott, TCU – Trevone Boykin, and Baylor – Bryce Petty. If Ohio State ends up being one of the final 4 and Braxton Miller would have not been injured, he would have gone also. The way their second team QB is performing, J.T. Barrett, they might have two Heisman Trophy candidates next year.
o you can slowly see a trend developing in college football, but for all you old timers out their, keep your eye on Alabama ……. run the ball, field position, and DEFENSE !!!
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