I can't believe that in 2025 we're still using freaking total scoring and total defense to measure defenses in an era where pace and strength-of-schedule matter more than they ever have.
EPA / Play (SOS- + Pace-Adjusted)
1. Ohio State
2. Notre Dame
3. Tennessee (#1 against rush, #5 against the
4. Texas
5. Alabama
6. Oregon
ESPN Def. Efficiency
1. Notre Dame
2. Texas
3. Ohio State
4. Tennessee
5. Mississippi
6. Penn State
This was an elite defense on the likes of teams that had far superior talent (Ohio State, Alabama, Oregon, Texas, etc.) and the best we've had in a long, long time. We had some clear weaknesses that got exposed late (slow LB and S that struggled laterally in pass coverage), but that Banks put these numbers together with a flawed unit was an absolutely masterclass. So glad he's coming back.