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iowajerms
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With college football media days in full swing, it's definitely not too early to look ahead to the coming season. On Monday, we took a look at the top 10 projected offenses for 2014.
Using data that we have found indicative of future performance, ESPN Stats & Information projected the defensive efficiency ranking of every Football Bowl Subdivision team for the 2014 season. Factored into the ratings are prior years' efficiency using ESPN's Football Power Index, the average of four recruiting rankings (Scouts, Rivals, Phil Steele, ESPN) during a three-year span, coaching tenure and information on returning starters (according to ESPN Insider Phil Steele).
Here's a look at the top 10 defenses based purely on statistical projections. The numbers in parentheses refer to efficiency, in terms of expected points added per game, that each team's defense is projected to contribute to its team's overall scoring margin. Since the ratings are scaled against the FBS baseline, an average defense would contribute 0 net points per game against an average offense.
For a full list of offensive, defensive and overall preseason rankings heading into the 2014 season, click here.
1. Florida State Seminoles (defensive efficiency: plus-13.6)
Returning starters: 6
2013 defensive efficiency rank: First
Three-year recruiting class average rank: 6.5
Florida State's defense was dominant this past season en route to winning the school's first national championship since 1999. The Seminoles led the nation in points allowed per drive (0.9), opponent Total QBR (16.9) and points per game allowed (12.1). The Seminoles also posted the top defensive efficiency rating in the nation.
After having an FBS-high 11 defensive players selected in the past two NFL drafts, Florida State is in prime position to reload. The Seminoles have added 14 defensive players ranked in the ESPN 300 in their past two recruiting classes, fourth most in the FBS.
Additionally, they return six defensive starters who were also highly touted recruits. DE Mario Edwards Jr. (No. 1), DE Eddie Goldman (No. 10), S Jalen Ramsey (No. 14), DE Chris Casher (No. 23) and CB Ronald Darby (No. 38) are returning defenders who were ranked in the top 50 of their respective ESPN 300 recruiting classes.
2. Florida Gators (plus-12.2)
Returning starters: 7
2013 defensive efficiency rank: Tenth
Three-year recruiting class average rank: 5.3
Even after being hit with a rash of injuries, Florida remained one of the top defenses in the nation in 2013. The Gators allowed 21 points per game despite facing six offenses that finished the season in the top 20 in ESPN's offensive efficiency ratings. As a result, the Gators ranked in the top 10 in defensive efficiency for a second-straight season.
In 2014, Florida returns first-team All-SEC cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III as well as three of its starting linebackers. DE Dante Fowler Jr. will take a leadership role as the Gators' buck linebacker, and he will look to improve Florida's pressure percentages from a season ago (ranked 13th in SEC in sacks).
Look for young players also to play a role; the Gators have the third-highest average recruiting rank in the country during the past three seasons.
3. Alabama Crimson Tide (plus-11.8)
Returning starters: 5
2013 defensive efficiency rank: Sixth
Three-year recruiting class average rank: 1.5
Alabama has been the most consistent and dominant defense in the nation since Nick Saban was hired in 2007. The Tide finished atop ESPN's defensive efficiency ratings three times during that span and only once finished outside of the top 10 (45th in 2007, Saban's first season).
The main reason Alabama is ranked behind Florida State and Florida in the 2014 projections is inexperience. The Tide lost six defensive starters to the NFL draft, including three of their four starters in the secondary.
However, with its success on the recruiting trail, Alabama should be able to reload. The Tide have signed 16 defensive players ranked in the top 100 of the ESPN 300 in the past three seasons, four more than any other school. Look for S Landon Collins and LB Trey DePriest to take a leadership role in reshaping this young defense.
4. Oklahoma Sooners (plus-11.7)
Returning starters: 9
2013 defensive efficiency rank: 26th
Three-year recruiting class average rank: 13.6
After forcing five turnovers and recording seven sacks in its win against Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, Oklahoma's defense enters the 2014 season with high hopes.
The Sooners return nine starters to a defense that led the Big 12 in total yards and passing yards allowed per game. Every member of its front seven will be back, including LB Eric Striker and DE Charles Tapper, members of the 2013 All-Big 12 team.
According to Bob Stoops, Oklahoma is "light-years ahead of a year ago," a scary thought considering that the Sooners started the season 5-0 while holding their opponents to 13 points per game.
5. TCU Horned Frogs (plus-11.2)
Returning starters: 8
2013 defensive efficiency rank: Fifth
Three-year recruiting class average rank: 40.8
TCU has finished in the top 10 of ESPN's defensive efficiency ratings in five of the past six seasons, including No. 5 in 2013. Last season, despite TCU's 4-8 record, the defense led the nation in red zone touchdown percentage and ranked in the top 5 in opponent Total QBR.
The Horned Frogs return eight starters, and that doesn't include DE Devonte Fields, the Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year in 2012, who missed most of the 2013 season with an injury.
Using data that we have found indicative of future performance, ESPN Stats & Information projected the defensive efficiency ranking of every Football Bowl Subdivision team for the 2014 season. Factored into the ratings are prior years' efficiency using ESPN's Football Power Index, the average of four recruiting rankings (Scouts, Rivals, Phil Steele, ESPN) during a three-year span, coaching tenure and information on returning starters (according to ESPN Insider Phil Steele).
Here's a look at the top 10 defenses based purely on statistical projections. The numbers in parentheses refer to efficiency, in terms of expected points added per game, that each team's defense is projected to contribute to its team's overall scoring margin. Since the ratings are scaled against the FBS baseline, an average defense would contribute 0 net points per game against an average offense.
For a full list of offensive, defensive and overall preseason rankings heading into the 2014 season, click here.
1. Florida State Seminoles (defensive efficiency: plus-13.6)
Returning starters: 6
2013 defensive efficiency rank: First
Three-year recruiting class average rank: 6.5
Florida State's defense was dominant this past season en route to winning the school's first national championship since 1999. The Seminoles led the nation in points allowed per drive (0.9), opponent Total QBR (16.9) and points per game allowed (12.1). The Seminoles also posted the top defensive efficiency rating in the nation.
After having an FBS-high 11 defensive players selected in the past two NFL drafts, Florida State is in prime position to reload. The Seminoles have added 14 defensive players ranked in the ESPN 300 in their past two recruiting classes, fourth most in the FBS.
Additionally, they return six defensive starters who were also highly touted recruits. DE Mario Edwards Jr. (No. 1), DE Eddie Goldman (No. 10), S Jalen Ramsey (No. 14), DE Chris Casher (No. 23) and CB Ronald Darby (No. 38) are returning defenders who were ranked in the top 50 of their respective ESPN 300 recruiting classes.
2. Florida Gators (plus-12.2)
Returning starters: 7
2013 defensive efficiency rank: Tenth
Three-year recruiting class average rank: 5.3
Even after being hit with a rash of injuries, Florida remained one of the top defenses in the nation in 2013. The Gators allowed 21 points per game despite facing six offenses that finished the season in the top 20 in ESPN's offensive efficiency ratings. As a result, the Gators ranked in the top 10 in defensive efficiency for a second-straight season.
In 2014, Florida returns first-team All-SEC cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III as well as three of its starting linebackers. DE Dante Fowler Jr. will take a leadership role as the Gators' buck linebacker, and he will look to improve Florida's pressure percentages from a season ago (ranked 13th in SEC in sacks).
Look for young players also to play a role; the Gators have the third-highest average recruiting rank in the country during the past three seasons.
3. Alabama Crimson Tide (plus-11.8)
Returning starters: 5
2013 defensive efficiency rank: Sixth
Three-year recruiting class average rank: 1.5
Alabama has been the most consistent and dominant defense in the nation since Nick Saban was hired in 2007. The Tide finished atop ESPN's defensive efficiency ratings three times during that span and only once finished outside of the top 10 (45th in 2007, Saban's first season).
The main reason Alabama is ranked behind Florida State and Florida in the 2014 projections is inexperience. The Tide lost six defensive starters to the NFL draft, including three of their four starters in the secondary.
However, with its success on the recruiting trail, Alabama should be able to reload. The Tide have signed 16 defensive players ranked in the top 100 of the ESPN 300 in the past three seasons, four more than any other school. Look for S Landon Collins and LB Trey DePriest to take a leadership role in reshaping this young defense.
4. Oklahoma Sooners (plus-11.7)
Returning starters: 9
2013 defensive efficiency rank: 26th
Three-year recruiting class average rank: 13.6
After forcing five turnovers and recording seven sacks in its win against Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, Oklahoma's defense enters the 2014 season with high hopes.
The Sooners return nine starters to a defense that led the Big 12 in total yards and passing yards allowed per game. Every member of its front seven will be back, including LB Eric Striker and DE Charles Tapper, members of the 2013 All-Big 12 team.
According to Bob Stoops, Oklahoma is "light-years ahead of a year ago," a scary thought considering that the Sooners started the season 5-0 while holding their opponents to 13 points per game.
5. TCU Horned Frogs (plus-11.2)
Returning starters: 8
2013 defensive efficiency rank: Fifth
Three-year recruiting class average rank: 40.8
TCU has finished in the top 10 of ESPN's defensive efficiency ratings in five of the past six seasons, including No. 5 in 2013. Last season, despite TCU's 4-8 record, the defense led the nation in red zone touchdown percentage and ranked in the top 5 in opponent Total QBR.
The Horned Frogs return eight starters, and that doesn't include DE Devonte Fields, the Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year in 2012, who missed most of the 2013 season with an injury.