Top 10 Collegiate Defenses of All-Time

[Sabanball]

Both of our programs are well represented.....


http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/top_10_college_football_defenses_of_all_time/9273086

[goingoneight]

I wish we had one of Stoops's early defensive units to compliment some of the insane offenses we've had here.

[Fraggle145]

I thought '86 OU was the better D?

[Sabanball]

I thought '86 OU was the better D?

I caught that too. Statistically I think it was, but your '85 unit was practically just as good. Seems I remember in the RRS that year, for instance, the Whorns only had something like 20 yds rushing or something like that ?? I still say that, beside Lee Roy Jordan, the Boz was the best linebacker to ever play college football....ever.

[8timechamps]

I'd rank the '86 OU defense in the top 10, and while I'm at it, I'd move the Bama 2011 defense to the top spot. But that's because I have no knowledge of the Bama defense they ranked first.

[sooneron]

I'd give it to the 86 squad, as well.

They had FIVE shut outs and held 3 opponents to single digits!
Rickey Dixon, Boz, T Johnson...

[8timechamps]

I'd give it to the 86 squad, as well.

They had FIVE shut outs and held 3 opponents to single digits!
Rickey Dixon, Boz, T Johnson...

Don't forget big Tony on the line. That defense was so much fun to watch!

[Salt City Sooner]

Don't forget big Tony on the line. That defense was so much fun to watch!
If you're referring to Casillas, he was a Sr. in '85.

[8timechamps]

If you're referring to Casillas, he was a Sr. in '85.

I was, and I was referring to the '85 defense. When I see people say the '86 defense, I assume they mean the 85/86 (national title) team.

[Sabanball]

I'd rank the '86 OU defense in the top 10, and while I'm at it, I'd move the Bama 2011 defense to the top spot. But that's because I have no knowledge of the Bama defense they ranked first.

As someone that closely followed OU '86 and Bama '11, when speaking of the the two I actually would have given the edge to OU '86 with Boz, Murphy, Vickers,and probaby the most underrated of the group Migliazzo(sp?), but there is NO question that Bama '61 holds the top spot, at least in the modern era. Giving up 25 total points in 11 games and pitching 6 shutouts in the process is one of those records that will probably never be broken.

[Sabanball]

BTW, I think one reason you guys had such dominating D's in the '70s and '80s was because of your earth-chewing, clock-eating O that you had back in the day. Of course, I don't expect anyone to go back to running the wishbone, but the fact is your D back then had plenty of time to rest because they weren't out on the field every 10 minutes between pitch-and-catch td throws....

[Eielson]

but there is NO question that Bama '61 holds the top spot, at least in the modern era. Giving up 25 total points in 11 games and pitching 6 shutouts in the process is one of those records that will probably never be broken.

I think it's really hard to rate teams that are 50 years apart against each other. It doesn't seem quite right for a ranking to have a team from '61, '66, and '47 as the greatest of all-time...especially considering that defenses are much better now than they were 50 years ago (in general, not in comparison to the offenses).

[delhalew]

I think it's really hard to rate teams that are 50 years apart against each other. It doesn't seem quite right for a ranking to have a team from '61, '66, and '47 as the greatest of all-time...especially considering that defenses are much better now than they were 50 years ago (in general, not in comparison to the offenses).

I'm not so sure defenses are any better now. What made this years Bama D so great is they actually tackled properly every time. They didn't take plays of in a big game.

You hardly see sure tackling anymore.

[SoonernAR]

I agree it's not possible to compare defenses separated by 40 yrs, the game has changed too much and don't forget about the rule changes over the years that have favored offenses.

[Sooners78]

Yes, Casillas is why 85 is ranked above 86. Casillas and Boz on the same defense! Although, Boz was a more dominating player in 86 than in 85. I'm sure the national championship also was a factor in that ranking.

[SoonerTerry]

For clarity it should have been called "The most dominating" defenses of all time

[Eielson]

I'm not so sure defenses are any better now. What made this years Bama D so great is they actually tackled properly every time. They didn't take plays of in a big game.

You hardly see sure tackling anymore.

The players are all much bigger, faster, and stronger than they were 50 years ago. The players from that long ago just wouldn't be able to compete today.

[stoopified]

good stuff

[Tidefan36854]

I wish we had one of Stoops's early defensive units to compliment some of the insane offenses we've had here.

That's a scary thought for the rest of us!!!

[picasso]

I'll never forget the Bama d-back Teague chasing down and stripping the ball from that Miami U WR in '92. That was almost as sweet as my midair steal of a dude's break away dunk in our Sunday basketball league, '94.:pride:

[SoonerSpock]

Many OU fans remember Selman and Bosworth's defenses as the greatest defenses and they are recognized nationally but many forget the 1956 Sooners. The were coming off of the 1955 national championship and an Orange Bowl victory over Maryland and thus not eligible for a bowl game thus they played only 10 games. In those 10 games they allowed a total of 51 points (5.1 p/g) with 6 shutout.

They allowed 12 points to Kansas in a 34-12 win, 19 to Colorado winning 27-19, 14 to Missouri winning 67-14 and 6 to Nebraska 54-6. The beat North Carolina 36-0, Kansas State 66-0, Texas 45-0, Notre Dame 40-0, Iowa State 44-0 and Oklahoma State 53-0.

The 1985 Sooners allow 90 points in 12 games (7.5 p/g). The 1974 Sooners allowed 92 points in 11 games (8.4 p/g). The 1986 Sooners only allowed 69 points in 12 games (5.8 p/g).

It is beyond me why the 1956 defense is so often forgotten by OU fans and the national media. Ditto the 1986 defense.