Does defense win championships?

Debatable.

New age college football has offenses running more plays than ever. Fans are seeing more spread and therefore more points. Moreover, just look at the numbers quarterbacks have put up in recent years to emphasize that point.

Having said that, the Georgia Bulldogs rode a historic defense to a national title in 2021.

So, how will the best SEC defenses fare in 2022? Brad Crawford of 247Sports just put Georgia third on his list of defenses for the 2022 season. That is pretty impressive considering UGA had 5 defenders selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. The Bulldogs placed 3 defenders on the 2022 preseason All-SEC team. Some even have defensive lineman Jalen Carter as a top pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

https://twitter.com/247Sports/status/1555197167022784514?s=20&t=cK40iIOCUCQRfSdDou52fA

The projections also include Alabama at the top and Texas A&M at No.9 overall. The Crimson Tide are led by one of the nation’s best players in Will Anderson Jr. Anderson is joined by Henry To’o To’o, Jordan Battle and Eli Ricks on the first team.

Clemson is sandwiched in-between Alabama and Georgia in the rankings.

Texas A&M features Antonio Johnson as the leader of the Aggie defense. The junior defensive back is on the Thorpe Award watch list. The award is given annually to the best defensive back in college football.

Offenses might reign supreme, but these units might have a say when it’s all said and done.