Greg McElroy ranks college football's Top 10 defenses so far in 2025

Strong defense has elevated multiple teams to the top of the college football world this season, including No. 1 Ohio State, No. 2 Oregon, No. 3 Miami and No. 5 Oklahoma. Some defenses that were though of in higher regard however, such as Penn State and LSU, struggled mightily over the weekend and dug up some real questions on how strong their defense truly is.

Through five weeks of the college football season, ESPN‘s Greg McElroy ranked his top 10 defenses in the country on the latest edition of the ‘Always College Football‘ podcast.

1. Ohio State Buckeyes (229.3 YPG)

Ohio State, the No. 1 ranked team in the country through five weeks, boasts the nation’s top ranked defense according to McElroy. The Buckeyes have allowed just 22 points through four games and have not yet allowed an opponent to score multiple touchdowns in a game. This was expected to change when they faced an explosive Washington offense last Saturday, but Ohio State held them to just six points and 234 total yards.

“They’re actually significantly better than we thought they’d be,” McElroy said. “That says an awful lot about what their defensive coordinator Matt Patricia has done. They have not just suffocated opponents, but they have been remarkably good on the most critical moments of the game. They are one of the top scoring defenses in the country, giving up just 22 points so far in their four games. Their stinginess has been ridiculous.”

2. Oklahoma Sooners (207.5 YPG)

Oklahoma‘s dominant defense has helped carry it to a 4-0 record and a No. 5 ranking in the AP Poll, its highest ranking since Nov. 2021. The Sooners made life a living hell for Auburn quarterback Jackson Arnold in their 24-17 win on Sept. 20, as they tallied nine sacks and 14 TFL. OU has held opponents to one touchdown or less in three of its four games this season.

“This group is tremendously, tremendously good at creating pressure,” McElroy said. “This group, from front to back, is very, very difficult to tackle. They are so good with their pressure packages and aggressiveness. They’re one of the best in third down. They’re one of the best against the pass and best against the run. There is one area in which I’m a little concerned about, which is the youth at the cornerback spot. That got exploited a couple times against Auburn, but other than that, this group has been outstanding.”

3. Miami Hurricanes (244.5 YPG)

Mario Cristobal‘s defense has completely terrorized opposing defenses this season. After allowing 24 points to Notre Dame in a season-opening 27-24 win, the ‘Canes have allowed just 22 total points through their last three games (Bethune-Cookman, No. 18 USF and Florida). Their 244.5 YPG ranks ninth best in the country and tops in the ACC.

“This entire defense runs through its defensive line,” McElroy said. “This defensive line is probably the best in the sport. You’ve got Reuben Bain on one side and Akheem Mesidor on the other. Reuben Bain has been completely off the charts through the first four games this season. He is probably worthy of getting a little bit of Heisman Trophy buzz.”

4. Texas Longhorns (212.0 YPG)

Although Texas has not played a challenging schedule at all following its season-opening 14-7 loss to No. 3 Ohio State, the Longhorns have been dominant defensively. After allowing 14 points to the Buckeyes in the loss, they’ve allowed just 17 points to San Jose State, UTEP and Sam Houston State over their past three games.

“I think the best is yet to come for this group across the board,” McElroy said. “You’ve still got Anthony Hill, Colin Simmons and Michael Taaffe. Those guys at all three levels can take over the game. You also have a solid lockdown corner in (Malik) Muhammad. You’ve got a lot of really good pieces on that unit, so this is a top-four defense for sure.”

5. Texas Tech Red Raiders (238.8 YPG)

Texas Tech has been one of the biggest surprises of the college football season so far. The Red Raiders are 4-0 and currently sit at No. 11 in the AP Top 25 Rankings, their highest ranking since Oct. 2013. They’ve allowed 14 points just twice and have held all other opponents to 10 points or less. They have allowed 238.8 YPG through four games, which ranks 11th in the country.

“So far, granted it’s early in the season, it’s been one of the more dominant units we’ve seen this year,” McElroy said. “The first year defensive coordinator Shiel Wood has done a phenomenal job. They’re sitting at 4-0 and undefeated with a good scoring defense and all these numbers. Just watch how disruptive they are on the front.”

6. Indiana Hoosiers (221.4 YPG)

Indiana is on a mission this season to prove that its 2024 campaign was no fluke. The Hoosiers have been on a warpath this season, allowing just 221.4 YPG (5th best in NCAA). Through five games, Iowa‘s 15 points scored are the most against the Hoosiers and it wasn’t enough to win the ballgame. Curt Cignetti‘s team has won 16 of their last 17 games and the defense has been a major factor.

“The defense is the driving force right now behind the 5-0 start and the top 10 ranking,” McElroy said. “Aggressive group and a turnover creating unit. They create a lot of negative plays and get off the field on third down. If you look at their scoring defense, total defense, sack percentage and third down defense, they are really, really solid.”

7. Missouri Tigers (203.8 YPG)

Missouri boasts the nation’s top defense (statistically) by allowing just 203.8 YPG, best in the NCAA. Granted the Tigers have played three of their five games this season against non Power-Four teams, but they bounced back from allowing 31 points to Kansas by holding South Carolina to just seven points and 293 yards in a 29-20 win to open SEC play.

“If you look at their defense, in many categories they are outstanding,” McElroy said. “They’re one of the tops in total defense and one of the tops in rushing defense. One of the tops in third down defense and one of the tops in opponent completion percentage. You look at some of the numbers that support it, but you look at the playmakers they have. That defensive front is really, really good and I like their scheme as well.”

8. Oregon Ducks (238.2 YPG)

Oregon‘s defense completely dominated Penn State‘s offense through three quarters last Saturday, holding the Nittany Lions to just 109 total yards. After allowing Penn State to force a late comeback and overtime however, the Duck defense saved the day. Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman intercepted Drew Allar to seal the win and push Oregon to No. 2 in the AP Poll. They rank 10th in the country by allowing 238.2 YPG.

“Really good and really athletic,” McElroy said. “This is an opportunistic unit that is really solid against the pass. While when you look at some of the statistical profile, they’re maybe not as dominant as some of the elite defenses in college football right now. But this is a team that has made critical, game-winning plays in the biggest possible moments.”

9. LSU Tigers (293.0 YPG)

LSU looked like one of the absolute best defenses in the country through four weeks until it suffered a 24-19 loss to No. 13 Ole Miss over the weekend. It marked the Tigers’ first loss of the season. After not allowing more than 10 points to any of their first four teams played, the Rebels dropped 24 points and 480 total yards.

“The first five games they’ve been pretty good,” McElroy said. “They’ve been super aggressive and very effective. However, there did arise a few vulnerabilities with what we saw last week against Ole Miss. Some of their aggression was used against them. Now I’d anticipate them changing things up on that side because they did get a little bit exposed on the downfield passing attack.”

10. Penn State Nittany Lions (274.0 YPG)

Penn State suffered another extremely disappointing loss in a big game against No. 3 Oregon over the weekend in a game in which it allowed 30 points and 424 offensive yards. It will really have to bounce back and show that it is a much better defense that is showed with games against Ohio State and Indiana on the horizon. They beat up on pitiful teams through the first three weeks, but will have to anchor down now.

“Jim Knowles, their defensive coordinator, has been very, very stingy through their first three games against the run,” McElroy said. “This is a tough 2OT loss to Oregon and I know based on how things went last year, this was one they absolutely had to have. I don’t disagree, but I have liked some of the things I’ve seen from Amare Campbell and Dani Dennis-Sutton.