Defenses are back in style in the SEC this season, and some notable units are spearheading the resurgence.

Four teams in the league rank among the top 18 in the FBS in scoring defense: Missouri, Vanderbilt, Alabama and Florida. That got me wondering which defense I would take to win a single game.

I kicked it to some of our staff to see how they felt and put my two cents in as well.

WHICH DEFENSE WOULD YOU TAKE TO WIN A SINGLE GAME?

Chris Wright (@filmroomeditor): Alabama

Alabama, primarily because if the Tide gets ahead and forces you to throw, that secondary is special. They’re not just creating turnovers — Bama leads the SEC with 12 interceptions, and converted safety Eddie Jackson leads the SEC with 5 — but they’re looking to score off them. Murf Baldwin broke it down in a Film Study piece, and he’s right: Minkah Fitzpatrick has some Honey Badger in him.

One reason the secondary is special is the pressure applied by the front seven. That group leads the SEC with 27 sacks. Third and medium-to-long is no place to be against that defense, and that’s usually where you are against that defense.

John Brasier (@John_BrasierSDS): Alabama

Alabama. The Tide can stop the run and stop the pass. The Tide defense makes big plays, demonstrated in the three interception returns for touchdowns against Texas A&M.

Christopher Smith (@csmithSDS): Missouri
That’s a tough question in this year’s SEC as defenses have re-emerged as the dominant force. I’m immediately discounting Vanderbilt, as that’s a very good unit, but not the best in the country. Florida just gave up 35 points to LSU and have given up yards in spurts this year, especially when some of the defensive backs were injured or suspended. Alabama is an obvious choice, with perhaps the best run defense in the country and a much-improved secondary.

But I’m going to go with Mizzou, which is allowing just 12.5 points per game. That’s remarkable considering the offense is the worst in the SEC, the unit features a new coordinator and the team lost arguably six of its best eight defensive linemen from last season. Pair the Tigers defense with the program’s 2013 offense and this is a national championship team instead of a 5-7 group.

Talal Elmasry (@TalalElmasrySDS): Alabama

It’s a tough call between Alabama and Missouri for me, but I have to go with the Crimson Tide here when you look at the total body of work and the big plays. Alabama leads the SEC in total defense (275.8 yards allowed per game), just ahead of Missouri (282.1), but the Tide have been incredible against the run. Alabama has only allowed its opponents to go over 100 rushing yards in two of eight games this season, while Mizzou has only held its opponents to fewer than 100 yards in two of eight games.

Alabama’s proven it can stop the pass also. As Chris Wright mentioned, the Tide has 27 sacks this season, and that mark is tied for 3rd in the FBS. Bama is also better at getting off the field on third downs as opponents are only converting about 31 percent of the time compared to Mizzou’s 38 percent.

What really makes a difference for me is the turnovers. Alabama’s forced 17 turnovers, which ranks among the top 10 in the FBS, while Missouri’s forced 11. That’s also considering the Tide have faced better offenses this season.