Pac-12 Preview: Ranking Pac-12 Defensive Lines

Sept. 8, 2012; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils defensive tackle Will Sutton (90) celebrates after a win against Illinois. Arizona State won 45 to 14 against Illinois Fighting Illini at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Hilderbrand-USA TODAY Sports

A conference known primarily for its prolific offenses boasts some of the best defensive lines in college football. The prowess of units at Arizona State, Stanford and USC is well known, but less celebrated groups at Washington, Oregon State and even Washington State make the Pac-12 one of the nation’s best conferences for defensive lines in 2013.

Ranking the Pac-12 defensive lines is no easy task, as there isn’t a noticeable drop-off until the very bottom.

1. STANFORD CARDINAL

The reigning Pac-12 and Rose Bowl champion Cardinal enter 2013 with one of the best defensive lines in all of college football, not just the Pac-12 Conference. Just look at this corps of heavy hitters:

• Henry Anderson: 51 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks

• Ben Gardner: 49 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks

• David Parry: 28 tackles, two sacks, two pass deflections

• Josh Mauro: five sacks, seven tackles for loss

Stanford was the best rush defense in the conference, and No. 5 nationally with many of the same pieces in place for 2013. Opponents averaged just 97 yards per game. More noteworthy is that the Cardinal front helped hold Oregon (315.2 rushing yards per game) to 198; Wisconsin (236.4 ypg) to 218; and UCLA (190.8 ypg) to 73. Stanford has a proven ability to rise up when the challenges is most stiff.

2. ARIZONA STATE SUN DEVILS

Will Sutton passed on an almost certain first round draft selection for one more year terrorizing Pac-12 backfields. His return at defensive tackle sets the tone for an Arizona State defense that ranked second in the nation in sacks, behind only Stanford. Sutton puts up numbers on par with Heisman Trophy candidate Jadeveon Clowney: 23.5 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, three forced fumbles, five pass deflections. With that Hulk-like frame and Legion of Doom face paint, Sutton is arguably the nation’s most intimidating rusher.

Sutton is an All-American and the obvious headline-grabber, but across the Devil front is a bevy of talent. Junior Onyeali is recovering from an injury that sidelined him during the spring. Injuries are of concern for Onyeali, but when healthy, he’s excellent. Joining him is potential breakout player Jaxon Hood, who shined in his freshman campaign. The addition of ballyhooed JUCO transfer Marcus Hardison only makes ASU that much more formidable along the front.

3. USC TROJANS

USC had one of the most effective blitzing defenses in college football last year, with a pair of All-Conference selections setting the tone off the edges. Morgan Breslin was a 1^st Team All Pac-12 honoree, and Leonard Williams was named the league’s Defensive Freshman of the Year. Both return to wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks and ball carriers.

The addition of five-star defensive tackle Kenny Bigelow on the interior makes this group one of the most talented in the nation. Bigelow could provide much needed run-stop support to a defense that was decent, though not great against ball carriers. Trojan opponents averaged 167 rushing yards per game in 2012; expect that figure to drop in 2013.

4. WASHINGTON HUSKIES

The 180-degree turnaround of the Husky defense under first-year coordinator Justin Wilcox began on the line. UW improved from 35.9 to 24.2 in points surrendered, 2193 to 2081 rushing yards, and from 3700 to 2565 passing yards between 2011 and 2012. The emergence of young contributors like defensive linemen Danny Shelton and Andrew Hudson. Both were named to the All-Conference team as sophomores. Hudson was the most productive Husky defensive lineman at 46 tackles and 6.5 sacks, but Shelton is an NFL caliber talent with breakout star potential.

UW also has support coming from a strong 2013 signing class, featuring four-star prospects, tackle Elijah Qualls and end Joe Mathis.

5. OREGON DUCKS

Transcendent athletic talent Dion Jordan is not easily replaced. Jordan was the do-everything catalyst of a Duck defense that held opponents below 150 rushing yards per game. Outstanding tackle Taylor Hart’s return is big, though. Hart led the Ducks with eight sacks and 11 tackles for loss. Wade Keliikipi also returns off a 2012 in which he made two sacks and four tackles for loss.

Aside from All-Conference selection Hart, the player to watch on Oregon’s line is sophomore and former five-star recruit Arik Armstead. An athlete like Jordan comes along rarely, but Armstead is a uniquely gifted player who could emerge as a special talent at end.

6. UCLA BRUINS

The Bruin defensive line won’t be without growing pains in 2013, as defensive coordinator Lou Spanos must find a replacement for stud end Datone Jones. Jones was a one-man wrecking crew at 19 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. The Bruins also lose Owamagbe Odighizuwa, who had hip surgery this off-season. Odighizuwa was good for 44 tackles, six of which were for loss, and 3.5 sacks.

Cassius Marsh is a nice building block, though. Marsh was an All Pac-12 selection in 2012, registering eight sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss. Jim Mora also brings in two of the conference’s top defensive line prospects as part of his 2013 signing class: Kenneth Clark and Kylie Fitts.

7. OREGON STATE BEAVERS
Sept. 22, 2012; Pasadena, CA, USA; Oregon State Beavers defensive end Scott Crichton (95) stops UCLA Bruins running back Johnathan Franklin (23) after a short gain in the fourth quarter at the Rose Bowl. Oregon State won 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Defensive end Scott Crichton has ranked among the most productive players in the Pac-12 each of his first two seasons in Corvallis, and again sets the tone for the Beavers. He made nine sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss last season.

Oregon State is faced with some turnover, including Rudolf Fifita, retired Blake Harrah, Castro Masaniai and All-Conference selection Andrew Seumalo. Defensive coordinator Mark Banker has proven to have some tricks up his sleeve, though. The Beavers finished 2012 ranked No. 22 in points per game allowed, and No. 27 against the rush. Devon Kell, Mana Rosa or JUCO transfer Kyle Peko are some possibilities to step up for the Beavers’ missing productivity.

8. WASHINGTON STATE COUGARS

Defensive coordinator Mike Breske faced plenty of challenges in his debut season on the Palouse, evident in the Cougars’ 33.7 point per game yield. But one bright spot for Breske’s unit was the play of the defensive line. Washington State ranked No. 7 nationally in tackles for loss, with All-Conference nominee Xavier Cooper and Ioane Gauta contributing a combined 17.

The Cougars also got contributions from Kalafitoni Pole and Matthew Bock, both of whom return in 2013. A bevy of experience up front points to improvement in this unit’s second season under Breske.

9. UTAH UTES

Star Lotulelei was a stalwart on Utah’s excellent rush defense, which ranked No. 20 and 22 the past two seasons. The two-time All-Conference selection was taken in the first round of last month’s NFL draft, leaving a huge hole for Ute defensive coordinator Kalani Fifita Sitake to fill. But Lotulelei is not the only considerable hole defensive coordinator Kalani Fifita Sitake must fill. Utah also loses Joe Kruger and Nate Fakahafua, who combined for 78 tackles and nine sacks last season.

Leading tackler and end Trevor Reilly’s return is a crucial foundation for Fifita Sitake to rebuild. Kyle Whittingham’s staff recruited several defensive line prospects in the 2013 class, including JUCO transfer Sese Ianu.

10. CAL GOLDEN BEARS

A constant during Cal’s wholly inconsistent run the last few years under Jeff Tedford was its defensive tenacity. It’s no coincidence the Golden Bears bottomed out when the defense slipped — and the defense most certainly slipped during 2012. Cal gave up 33.1 points per game and nearly 272 yards through the air.

The rush defense was not bad though, finishing just behind USC in yards per game. The Golden Bear defensive front also provided a decent enough pass rush, sacking opposing quarterbacks 28 times. New defensive coordinator Andy Buh came over from Stanford, where he helped turned the Cardinal into one of the most feared blitzing teams in the nation. He has pieces to work with in Berkeley, starting with Chris McCain and Deandre Coleman. The duo combined for 17 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. The veterans provide a solid foundation, with talented recruit Takkarist McKinley coming on board.

11. ARIZONA WILDCATS

Pressuring opponents in the backfield has vexed UA in recent seasons. UA ranked dead last in sacks during the 2011 campaign. The Wildcats saw some improvement in their first year under defensive coordinator Jeff Casteel, but remain on a deserted stretch of interstate several exit signs away from the Desert Swarm units of the 1990s.

Only Colorado was less effective stopping rush, as UA watched ball carriers whiz by at a 206.2 yards per game rate. The inexperience of the Wildcat front was certainly a problem, and this year’s group is much more veteran after the trials of 2012. Sione Tuihalamaka, Dan Pettinato, Tevin Hood and Justin Washington were all primary contributors a season ago. Four-star 2012 signee Kyle Kelley gained experience in his redshirt season, though his production is a question mark — as is the overall improvement a year of experience will mean for this unit.

12. COLORADO BUFFALOES

The Buffaloes ranked dead last among Pac-12 teams in rush defense last season, allowing almost six yards per carry and a whopping 226 yards per game. The return of sack leader Chidera Uzo-Diribe is a big positive; he made seven sacks in 2012. CU also returns Kirk Poston, who made four sacks a season ago. There is definitely promise along the line, though gone is tackle Will Pericak. Pericak’s 62 tackles led all Buffalo linemen.

New defensive coordinator Kent Baer isn’t working with any empty cupboard by any means, but improving that rush defense is a major challenge. His 2012 San Jose State unit finished No. 18 nationally in that category. And before discrediting the Spartans’ success as a result of its conference, consider SJSU faced rushing offense ranked No. 17 (Louisiana Tech), 20 (San Diego State), 26 (Utah State) and 48 (Stanford). The ceiling is high on this unit, despite its ranking.