The Big Ten has a good reputation for great defenses. Although the SEC boasts almost all of the nations top defensive linemen the Big Ten is loaded at linebacker. In fact the majority of top tacklers in 2012 all came from one conference. You guessed it. The Big Ten in specifically stout in the middle of the defense with studs and depth along the defensive tackle, linebacker, and safety position. Which makes it no surprise why there was five teams from the conference that ranked in the top-25 in rushing defense last year.
10. Purdue Boilmakers
Although they land at number 10 Purdue with eight returning starters led by cornerback Ricardo Allen could have one of the top secondaries in the conference when its all said and done. The Boilmakers biggest challenge will be finding a way to stop the run in 2013. Defensive tackle Bruce Gatson is a beast upfront, however, if someone else doesn't step up on the defensive line Gatson's head will be spinning from double and triple teams all year.
9. Nebraska Cornhuskers
Bo Pelini is too good of a coach to be embarrassed on the defensive side of the ball like he was last season. The numbers were gaudy and not in a flattering way. Ranking 92nd nationally in rushing defense and giving up almost 54 points per game in four losses was a new all time low for this squad. Nebraska will look to simplify things more this season and rely more on their athleticism to flip the switch back on for this defense. Despite many horrible numbers last year the Cornhuskers still managed to rank 35th in overall defense showing some signs of life.
8. Iowa Hawkeyes
Although their defense was middle of the road last season, the Hawkeyes have some bright spots on the team and return seven defensive starters. Linebackers like Anthony Hitchens who led the conference in tackles and James Morris (who was only 11 tackles behind) form one of the better linebacking corps in the conference. They often get overshadowed by names from bigger schools and because of the Big Ten's overall talent and depth at the position. Their offense is likely to struggle again this year and will put the defense in plenty of bad spots, however, this team is in a position with their talent and return starters to improve on last years solid statistical numbers.
7. Northwestern Wildcats
Although they were tied for third in the conference in interceptions the Wildcats pass defense was statistically dead last. With seven returning starters on the defensive side of the ball head coach Pat Fitzgerald is ready to get back to his defensive minded ways and tighten up the screws. Defensive end Tyler Scott might be one of the best in the conference at his respective position and safety Ibraheim Campbell is a name you will hear a lot of this season. All in all though, this defense gave up nearly 400 yards per game and faces a tougher schedule than last year.
6. Minnesota Gophers
Ra'Shede Hageman is already being talked about as a future first round pick in the NFL next year but first scouts are looking for him to build off his impressive 2012 campaign. Hageman is a monster at over 300 pounds and is athletic enough to line up at almost any position in any scheme on the defensive line. Behind him however, due to the lack of overall talent leaves a lot to be desired. The Gophers have an above average secondary though ranking fourth in the conference last year that they will need again to keep them competitive in 2013.
5. Penn State Nittnay Lions
When you consider everything Penn state had to go through last year you start to realize how well the defense actually played. They gave their opponents, on average, the third best field position in the conference last year. Now consider Penn State gave up only 26.1 percent of points on those drives and you gain a new found respect for them. What's going to ultimately hurt them is their lack of depth due to the NCAA sanctions that were placed down on them. Forcing them to make due with what they got coach Bill O'Brien is going to need to pull the magic out of his hat one more season.
4. Michigan Wolverines
The Wolverines ranked 13th in the country last year in total defense but it was stopping the run that was their achilles heel (ranked 52nd). In a conference were teams love to run the ball in late december Michigan needs to find a way to fix that if they want to improve from 2012. They return only six defensive starters but choose to look at the glass half full as coach Brady Hoke has done a stellar job bringing in some explosive talent. Frank Clark is one of those players who is already making a name for himself on the defensive line looking like a veteran both physically and mentally. If one or two more young pups can step up for Michigan they will not only improve from lasts years rank but will be on their way to one of the best defenses in the Big Ten in the near future.
3. Ohio State Buckeyes
Return only four starters and still rank third? Urban Meyer has something up his sleeve like always. First off, those four starters are all-conference type players. Bradley Roby (suspended for first game) and Christian Bryant are the best at their positions in the Big Ten. Roby led the conference last season with 17 pass break ups while Bryant has 12. Then there is defensive All-American linebacker Ryan Shazier who leads returning linebackers in the conference with 12 tackles for a loss last season and is being regarded as a first round pick in next years draft. So the talent is their along with a new group of highly touted recruits to take over the defensive line. It's really the Buckeye's soft schedule though that has everyone breathing a sigh of relief.
2. Wisconsin Badgers
If there is one thing we must take with a grain of salt when talking about the Badgers dominating defense it's that new head coach Gary Anderson is installing a new 3-4 defensive scheme which may take some time to get adjusted to. Saying that Wisconsin has all the talent on their roster to make things plenty difficult for opposing offenses. Linebacker Chris Borland is an animal and another All-American linebacker to add to the list from the Big Ten. He gets help from defensive tackle Beau Allen who helps clog blockers and free up lanes for his linebackers. When you throw out the garbage time stats the Badgers lead the conference in yards per play (4.4) and yards per drive (23). Add in coach Anderson comes from a team in Utah State that was top-10 in scoring defense is another encouraging sign.
1. Michigan State Spartans
When you lose six games but only give up an average of 16.3 points per game it starts to become clear where the finger needs to be pointed. The fact that the offense struggled so mightly last season is another reason to be so impressed with their defenivse perfor mance in 2012. They return seven starters including the best inside linebacker in college football in Max Bullough. Bullough comes from football genes as his grandfather and father both played Spartans football. Denicos Allen and cornerback Darqueze Dennard are two more studs that return to form the best defense in the Big Ten and its not even close.