D is for real!

[Flipper]

The Athletic has a weekly Stop Rate ranking and SMU is #11 this week. Out of 71 opponent drives against our stout D, 76.1% have ended in a punt, turnover or turnover on downs. The top 10:

Michigan
Penn State
Ohio State
UCLA
Duke
Georgia
Iowa
Wisconsin
Utah
Troy

Just awesome to witness week in and week out!

[Charleston Pony]

What a difference this transfer class has made...and bringing back the guys who were major contributors

[BUS]

NIL = "Now It's Legal"

We got this and just keep it above board and no thugs.

[smubrooks]

We’re not exactly playing against heavy weights right now. But the D is drastically improved from a year ago and fun to watch!

[1983 Cotton Bowl]

Well, they held up pretty well against OU and TCU while getting very little help from the offense. I agree we're not playing P5 talent every week, but when they've had a crack at P5 they've represented well. Still feel like some upgrades will be in order to be competitive week in and week out in the ACC.

[Topper]

We’re not exactly playing against heavy weights right now. But the D is drastically improved from a year ago and fun to watch!

Michigan has played the likes of E.Carolina, Bowling Green, UNLV. Penn State has played UMass and Deleware etc.

Much of the defensive stats for any good team you can name are against non-conference / non-P5 competition.

[Dukie]

We’re not exactly playing against heavy weights right now. But the D is drastically improved from a year ago and fun to watch!

Michigan has played the likes of E.Carolina, Bowling Green, UNLV. Penn State has played UMass and Deleware etc.

Much of the defensive stats for any good team you can name are against non-conference / non-P5 competition.

I agree. Which makes Duke's elite defense (against Klempson, F$U, NC State, and Northwestern, with two much weaker opponents as well of course) all the more incomprehensible considering, well, all of modern football history. SMU just needs to keep winning. I wish replaying the TCU game were possible.

[orguy]

Love the reality. Miss the early eighties and our great D. Evidently, we are
now able to attract the talent we need on this side of the ball. As the season
and near future comes to pass, likely we remember these days as times our D
saved our ... hmm...

[Flipper]

With dominating defensive performances SMU is now up to #5 in Stop Rank! SMU is stopping 77.6% of all drives. Ranking: Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State, UCLA and SMU! They guys are just flying on D and you can tell they do not want anyone in their End Zone. Playing with attitude. Beat Rice!

[Charleston Pony]

Rice scored only 10 points in their opener against Texas. Daniels threw 2 picks and Rice rushed for only 27 yards. Will be interesting to see how our D compares

[ALEX LIFESON]

Daniel's has been playing hurt the last several weeks, they say he is now 100%. Our pass defense will get a big test tomorrow.

[gostangs]

Daniel's has been playing hurt the last several weeks, they say he is now 100%. Our pass defense will get a big test tomorrow.

Just have to pressure him all day... Should be a blitz fest...