6. OKLAHOMA 1974
"God bless Mrs. Selmon." When fans' pregame prayer includes an homage to the mother of the greatest defensive player ever within the greatest program of the century (Lee Roy Selmon) AND his sibling (Dewey), you know you have a ridiculous defense. Oh, and don't forget All-American LB Ron Shoate. The stars combined with that steamroller offense to give the Sooners yet another national title.
5. ALABAMA 1961
Bear Bryant's first national title at Alabama was built on a foundation of the nastiest D ever seen in the SEC, before or since. The Crimson Tide led the nation in total defense, allowing only 132.6 yards per game. But the eye-popping stat is the average of only 2.2 points per game allowed.
4. SYRACUSE 1959
One of the most overlooked champs of all time, this Syracuse team led the nation in both total defense AND offense. Using what some argue was the fastest D of all time, the Orangemen surrendered a nation-best 92.6 yards per game, nearly 50 yards per game better than the second-best defense. But the sickest stat is this:They allowed a microscopic 19.3 yards per game of rushing. (The next best team? 90.)
3. NEBRASKA 1971
The Cornhuskers dominated the toughest schedule ever:
NU beat No. 2 Oklahoma in the Game of the Century; thrashed No. 3 Colorado 31-7; and capped its national title season by bludgeoning No. 4 Alabama 38-6. THREE linemen earned All-America honors, leading a team that allowed only 8.2 ppg (and 85.9 rushing yards per game).
2. OKLAHOMA 1956
In the middle of the best winning streak in college football history, this team's ferocious defense was the key to maintaining OU's dominance. The Sooners pitched six shutouts, including a vicious 44-0 dismantling of Notre Dame to reclaim the No. 1 ranking it had ceded to Michigan State the week before. OU gave up 45 points all season, and LB Jerry Tubbs won the Walter Camp Trophy.
1. MIAMI 2001
The ESPN Era never saw a defense so dominating -- or star-studded -- with three 2002 NFL Draft first-round picks in the secondary alone (S Ed Reed, CB Philip Buchanon, CB Mike Rumph) and four more starters who were eventually drafted by the NFL in the first round (William Joseph, Jerome McDougle, Jonathan Vilma, DJ Williams). On a team known for its flashy offense, the defense led the way to the championship, leading the nation in scoring (9.4 ppg, second best ever in the ESPN Era) and takeaways (45, for a whopping +2.4 turnover margin per game).
