Top 25 Fantasy Defenses

With nine starters returning – including All-American linebacker James Laurinaitis - Ohio State begins the year as the top fantasy defense. The Buckeyes led the NCAA in scoring, passing and total defense last year, along with totaling 43 sacks. Defensive end Vernon Gholston played a big part in last season’s pass rush, but decided to take his game to the NFL. Despite losing Gholston the Buckeyes have plenty of capable pass rushing options, including junior Lawrence Wilson and sophomore Cameron Heyward. In addition to Laurinaitis, the Buckeyes have one of the top ten defensive backfields in college football.

Following Ohio State in the fantasy defense rankings are USC and Oklahoma. The Trojans lost a couple of key players to the NFL, but Pete Carroll has brought in top recruiting classes each season. Don’t expect the Trojans to suffer much of a defensive drop-off in 2008. The Sooners have question marks in the back seven, but the defensive line could be the best in college football.

Expect defenses to start coming off the board in 12 team fantasy leagues anywhere from round seven to twelve. Grabbing a top-flight defense like Ohio State or USC is the best option. However, if you miss out on the top defenses, don’t be afraid to play the waiver wire game. Leagues involving all 120 teams should have plenty of depth in the defensive area and a one week option should be easy to find. 

1. Ohio State Buckeyes: (2007 statistics) 12.8 ppg, 43 sacks, 19 turnovers gained
2. USC Trojans: 16 ppg, 45 sacks, 28 turnovers gained
3. Oklahoma Sooners: 20.3 ppg, 33 sacks, 28 turnovers gained
4. LSU Tigers: 19.9 ppg, 37 sacks, 36 turnovers gained
5. Auburn Tigers: 16.9 ppg, 22 sacks, 24 turnovers gained
6. Cincinnati Bearcats: 18.8 ppg, 42 sacks, 42 turnovers gained
7. Virginia Tech Hokies: 16.1 ppg, 47 sacks, 31 turnovers gained
8. Penn State Nittany Lions: 17.5 ppg, 46 sacks, 28 turnovers gained
9. Rutgers Scarlet Knights: 22.5 ppg, 41 sacks, 19 turnovers gained
10. Wake Forest Demon Deacons: 22.2 ppg, 29 sacks, 35 turnovers gained
11. Wisconsin Badgers: 23.2 ppg, 28 sacks, 19 turnovers gained
12. Boston College Eagles: 20.4 ppg, 35 sacks, 33 turnovers gained
13. TCU Horned Frogs: 18.7 ppg, 41 sacks, 21 turnovers gained
14. South Florida Bulls: 23.4 ppg, 30 sacks, 42 turnovers gained
15. Oregon Ducks: 23.6 ppg, 39 sacks, 33 turnovers gained
16. Clemson Tigers: 18.7 ppg, 28 sacks, 25 turnovers gained
17. Texas Longhorns: 25.3 ppg, 28 sacks, 27 turnovers gained
18. Kansas Jayhawks: 16.4 ppg, 26 sacks, 35 turnovers gained
19. Missouri Tigers: 23.3 ppg, 31 sacks, 33 turnovers gained
20. Utah Utes: 16.9 ppg, 37 sacks, 33 turnovers gained
21. Florida Gators: 25.5 ppg, 28 sacks, 20 turnovers gained
22. Georgia Bulldogs: 20.2 ppg, 42 sacks, 26 turnovers gained
23. Connecticut Huskies: 19 ppg, 30 sacks, 29 turnovers gained
24. Michigan Wolverines: 21.4 ppg, 32 sacks, 29 turnovers gained
25. Iowa Hawkeyes: 18.8 ppg, 27 sacks, 21 turnovers gained

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