Isolating and Evaluating the Strongest Defensive Teams in College Football
The second half and closing stretch of the college football season will determine conference champions, College Football Playoff qualifiers, bowl teams and some of the biggest rivalry games and winners. Teams with stronger defenses and depth can better withstand the rigors of a long season, travel and fatigue. While my recent article of top offensive teams provides a winning formula for balance, stats, scoring and efficiency that are both powerful and productive, it's defense that teams can rely on in the toughest moments and biggest games.
So I've isolated college football’s top defensive teams and defensive dominators below using statistical indicators and profiles to assist us in our college football handicapping and weekly pursuit of profit the rest of the season.
While many bettors love to bet on high-octane offensive teams, it’s the defensive dominators that are often your best bets. The high-scoring offensive teams get more headlines and are favored public teams. They are often shaded in the betting lines and totals. The bookmakers and leading online sportsbooks know that and also adjust to those tendencies and public perceptions. 
By using these stats and updating them weekly, you can be better prepared and isolate more match-ups of interest and point spread winners. That may including in the biggest games in the AP Top 25, plus College Football Playoff games, which I outlined in Clemson's (+6) big 44-16 win over Alabama in the 2019 national championship game. As teams push towards the finish of the college football season, use these stats and watch the weather as the defensive dominators are teams you can often count on in tougher match-ups.
With a number of conference games played, we can more realistically analyze the proven teams and performers as the statistical profiles become more clear. But note the match-ups each week as teams face more opponents operating out of spread formations and utilizing more up-tempo or no-huddle attacks while showing potent playmaking ability.
Bet on College Football at one of these Elite-rated sportsbooks!
Defensive Dominators
So each season we adjust our numbers and profiles based on specific parameters to determine defensive dominators. We sort through the more meaningful stats and understand the strengths and weaknesses of teams and opponents. That’s important to note as some teams that just missed being on the list have played stronger schedules and opponents overall than some teams on the list.
Also, rules changes have cut the number of plays and scoring a bit with the notable 2024 change of the clock continuing to run after a first down is gained in bounds, except during the two-minute timeout.
College Football Top Defensive Teams and Stats
Use this as a guide the rest of the season and for the biggest games and rivalries in November, college bowls and College Football Playoffs as you evaluate this year’s list of top defensive teams. Teams on the list meet the following criteria heading into Week 9 and games on Sat., Oct. 25, 2025.
- Allow 22 or less points per game (PPG)
- Allow 340 or less yards per game (YPG)
- Allow 5.0 or less yards per play (YPPL)
- Allow 150 or less rushing (YPG)
- Allow 4.1 or less yards per rush (YPR)
In addition, I’m throwing out stats against FCS opponents, so the stats represent a more level playing field against more quality competition.
PPG – Points-Per-Game | YPG – Yards-Per-Game | YPPL – Yards-Per-Play | YPR – Yards-Per-Rush
| Team | PPG | YPG | Yds per play | Rush ypg/ypr |
| Ohio State | 6.8 | 225 | 3.7 | 84/2.7 |
| Oklahoma | 10.5 | 223 | 3.5 | 74/2.3 |
| Texas | 11.3 | 280 | 4.1 | 83/2.6 |
| Indiana | 13.5 | 277 | 4.6 | 93/3.5 |
| San Diego State | 14.6 | 295 | 4.2 | 107/3.1 |
| Oregon | 14.7 | 245 | 3.9 | 107/3.5 |
| Texas Tech | 15.3 | 292 | 4.1 | 66/3.1 |
| LSU | 15.3 | 330 | 4.7 | 128/3.7 |
| Iowa | 15.8 | 261 | 4.1 | 100/2.9 |
| James Madison | 16.5 | 253 | 4.4 | 77/2.6 |
| Toledo | 16.7 | 256 | 4.1 | 96/2.8 |
| Michigan | 17.1 | 308 | 4.6 | 93/3.0 |
| Miami | 17.8 | 311 | 4.6 | 93/3.0 |
| Auburn | 17.9 | 317 | 4.5 | 87/2.5 |
| Missouri | 18.5 | 246 | 4.2 | 72/2.7 |
| BYU | 18.2 | 333 | 4.8 | 142/4.0 |
| UCF | 18.8 | 308 | 4.7 | 144/4.1 |
| Clemson | 20.5 | 338 | 4.9 | 110/3.5 |
| Georgia | 21.7 | 333 | 5.0 | 99/3.2 |
| Louisville | 21.8 | 299 | 4.7 | 63/3.5 |
| Pittsburgh | 22.0 | 314 | 4.3 | 90/2.4 |
Teams that just missed being on the current list of defensive dominators but worth watching and updating each week include: Utah (16.3/320/4.8/165), Alabama (17.7/320/5.2/155), Notre Dame (21.3/357/5.2/100), South Carolina (21.7/347/5.1/165), Nebraska (21.5/300/4.9/167), Washington (22/352/5.2/101), Minnesota (22.2/338/5.1/112), Vanderbilt (22.8/345/5.3/100), Penn State (21.7/326/4.8/173).
Top Ranked Teams And Top Defensive Teams
Top defensive teams above who rank highly in the Week 9 AP Top 25 Poll include Big Ten's No. 1 Ohio State, No. 2 Indiana and No. 6 Oregon. Five SEC teams rank in the top 10, but only Georgia makes the defensive dominator list. However, No. 13 Oklahoma and No. 14 Texas Tech are both top defensive teams. The SEC strength and depth makes adjusting the numbers and strength of competition an additional factor in forecasting matchup winners and stats evaluation.
Note that teams like Georgia and Alabama in the rugged SEC who have also played stronger schedules ('Bama 4 top 20 wins last four games) need to be adjusted. Massey ratings for college football show Georgia and Alabama top-5 in strength of schedule and defense, and Notre Dame top-7 in both. But the 'Tide run defense doesn't qualify (155/4.8 yards per rush). Teams that allow less than 60 plays per game to opposing offenses include James Madison, Missouri, Alabama, Indiana and Ohio State with Missouri's offense No. 1 in plays per game (80). 
Supporting strong defensive teams is usually a good starting point in your analysis of a contest and match-up. However, I encourage you to dig a little deeper in your own evaluation of teams, schedules and stats and compare current and past betting lines and power ratings. Note injuries, turnovers, motivation, schedule situations and other negative yardage or factors as you analyze the opponent and schedules. Defensive profiles can also assist you in totals betting, while also understanding matchups, pace and more inclement weather ahead.
The intensity is rising along with more meaningful games as teams push towards the College Football Playoff and bring their best in the biggest remaining games. Finding value on the biggest games or less high-profile contests can be had by digging into the stats and understanding motivation, line adjustments and matchup edges when comparing stats and results against stronger opponents. Using these defensive profiles and stats can assist you in your handicapping, betting and evaluations of teams and matchups to provide a game plan in your pursuit of profit.
You can bet on it.
FairwayJay is a proven sports handicapper and loves college football. He's been handicapping and betting college football for more than two decades and is recognized as one of the sports industry's most insightful analysts. He chips in additional sports betting coverage and reporting on industry news and events. Follow FairwayJay here at OSGA.com and on X @FairwayJay for more sports and betting insights.
