While Vince Mullins continues his travels, Daniel Freer will fill in with the weekly BlitzIndex, covering the top fantasy defenses/special teams in college football.

We have already completed four weeks into the 2009 season, and, some interesting things have happened regarding the top fantasy defenses of 2009….

A few of them, well, we had no idea they would be among the top defense/special team performers.

The usual names are there, of course….Florida (#10), Ohio State (#7), and Texas (#3)….while others who have appeared often among the top defenses/special teams….Oklahoma (#5) and South Florida (#6).

However, the #1 fantasy defense/special teams performer so far…is a school whose fight song contains the line “Nothing can stop the US Air Force”.

Air Force (photo, above, thanks Air Force Times) can add a new line for 2009: “Nothing gets past the US Air Force”.The AFA Falcons have made defense a staple of their successful 3-1 start in 2009, as they have scored 4 defensive TDs, and recorded 10 sacks, 7 interceptions, and 8 fumbles….the last number impressive, since AFA usually is smaller – across the board – than the opponents they face (even with FCS-level schools)….getting many fumbles are a sign of hard-hitting, physical football.

Another surprise in our Top Ten is Stanford, who is #2 on our list.  Stanford has had a nice start to the season, and, climbed our rankings because of 3 kickoff-return TDs in the first four games of 2009.  Stanford may keep this up, because they have already played 2 Pac-10 games, and, the Pac-10 seems to be struggling on offense, at times, this season.

Our 4th ranked team is one that returned only one defensive starter from 2008….Cincinnati.  A lot has been said about the potent Bearcat offense this season, but, their defense has excelled…especially in wins against Oregon State and Fresno State…schools that normally have good offenses.

A team Cincinnati annihilated in the season opener somehow has made it to number #8 on our list…Rutgers.  Even though UC QB Tony Pike picked apart the Scarlet Knights defense in a 47-15 win, Rutgers has managed to step up the defense on three straight patsy opponents.  The State University of New Jersey has recorded 3 defensive TDs in the past three games.

Iowa, our #9 ranked defense/special teams, showed everyone Saturday night why they are one of the best defenses in America, shutting down Penn State 21-10 in Happy Valley….and giving up 0 to the Nittany lions in the second half.   One week earlier, the Hawkeye defense put on a similar second-half defensive gem on Arizona

A special shout-out to South Florida (#6)…whose defense put on a clinic against Florida State in Tallahassee in the Bulls 17-7 win.  The Bulls grabbed 4 turnovers and nailed 5 QB sacks….the last one by DE Jason Pierre-Paul…which led to the last FSU fumbled with under 3 minutes left.  Note that Florida State the previous week put up 54 points and a ton of yards on BYU in Provo….but only could score 7 points, and were held under 300 yards total offense, by USF.

Related posts:

1. BLITZindex College Football Defense Rankings: Gators win with defense now
2. BLITZindex: Cornhuskers still best defense, but with company
3. BLITZIndex: Oregon Ducks strong, but Iowa new #1 Defense
4. BLITZIndex Week 4: Tide at Gators means #1 plays #2 defense
5. BLITZIndex: College Football Defense rankings still led by Alabama and LSU

Tags: Air Force, BlitzIndex, Fantasy Defense, Florida, Ohio State