Which teams are best equipped to stop the run and rush the passer? Fox Sports’ Bruce Feldman ranked the top 10 defensive lines in college football, and five belong to SEC teams.

The conference teams to make the cut are:

  • Ole Miss (No. 9)
  • LSU (No. 7)
  • Texas A&M (No. 5)
  • Missouri (No. 4)
  • Alabama (No. 2)

What makes the Crimson Tide’s defensive line the best in the conference? Here’s Feldman:

The Tide had the best D-line in the nation last season, and even with Jarren Reed and A’Shawn Robinson gone to the NFL, they’re still in the running again. This bunch was a big reason why ‘Bama led the nation in sacks last year (52) and was in the top three in total D. In truth, if edge-rusher supreme Tim Williams (10.5 sacks) was deemed a “defensive end” instead of a linebacker — technically he plays the ‘Jack’ position, a hybrid DE/OLB — ‘Bama would probably have the top spot here. End Jonathan Allen is a stud. The 6-3, 295-pounder notched 12 sacks last season. And 320-pound sophomore Da’Ron Payne is the most explosive huge man the Tide has had in a few years, and that is saying something. Dalvin Tomlinson, a former 310-pound prep wrestling star, is a guy the coaching staff loves. O.J. Smith, a 315-pound sophomore, and 325-pound junior Josh Frazier probably would start at some other SEC programs. Former five-star recruit Da’Shawn Hand (6.5 TFLs) has a lot of folks excited about his pass-rush potential at end.

Feldman gives the No. 1 overall spot, however, to an SEC enemy: Michigan. Feldman gives some credit for Jim Harbaugh’s predecessor, Brady Hoke:

Former Wolverines head coach Brady Hoke, an old D-line guy, did not leave the cupboard bare. This is a young group that blossomed last year and should be special in 2016. New DC Don Brown comes from Boston College and inherits a huge, talented group up front. And that could be a scary mix.

The full list can be viewed here. Auburn and Florida are listed among teams that just missed the cut.

Did any SEC teams get snubbed? Would you change the order of Feldman’s list?