Auburn football: What do you think about Tigers not making top 10 defense list?

When putting together a list of the nation’s top 10 defenses for 2018, the Auburn football team’s defense seems like an obvious selection.

Bleacher Report’s David Kenyon released a list of the nation’s projected top 10 defenses for 2018. The criteria for the list was “based on projected yards per play allowed.” Auburn did not make the cut for the top 10 defenses, leaving some fans scratching their heads.

Any preseason ranking by sheer nature is subjective, especially when taking into account just one variable. This preseason ranking of top defenses conjured up strong reactions from Auburn fans and players.

Why? Because once again, Auburn was excluded. Sure, all defenses listed on B/R’s ranking are worthy of merit, but so is Auburn’s.

How does Auburn’s 2017 finish in total defense as well as projected 2018 star power match up to the teams included in Bleacher Report’s ranking? We take a look at where each team on the list ranked in total defense last season, the number of players on preseason player awards watch lists for defense and how that compares to Auburn.

Bleacher Report’s projected Top 10 defenses

1. Clemson

• 2017 total defense ranking: 4
• Players on Butkus watch list: 2
• Players on Nagurski watch list: 4
• Players on Outland watch list: 4
• Players on Bednarik watch list: 3
• Players on Jim Thorpe watch list: 0

2. Ohio State

• 2017 total defense ranking: 9
• Players on Butkus watch list: 0
• Players on Nagurski watch list: 2
• Players on Outland watch list: 3
• Players on Bednarik watch list: 1
• Players on Jim Thorpe watch list: 1

3. Alabama

• 2017 total defense ranking: 1
• Players on Butkus watch list: 3
• Players on Nagurski watch list: 1
• Players on Outland watch list: 2
• Players on Bednarik watch list: 3
• Players on Jim Thorpe watch list: 0

4. Georgia

• 2017 total defense ranking: 6
• Players on Butkus watch list: 1
• Players on Nagurski watch list: 1
• Players on Outland watch list: 1
• Players on Bednarik watch list: 1
• Players on Jim Thorpe watch list: 2

5. Michigan

• 2017 total defense ranking: 3
• Players on Butkus watch list: 1
• Players on Nagurski watch list: 5
• Players on Outland watch list: 1
• Players on Bednarik watch list: 3
• Players on Jim Thorpe watch list: 1

6. Wisconsin

• 2017 total defense ranking: 2
• Players on Butkus watch list: 3
• Players on Nagurski watch list: 3
• Players on Outland watch list: 5
• Players on Bednarik watch list: 2
• Players on Jim Thorpe watch list: 1

7. Michigan State

• 2017 total defense ranking: 7
• Players on Butkus watch list: 1
• Players on Nagurski watch list: 1
• Players on Outland watch list: 1
• Players on Bednarik watch list: 1
• Players on Jim Thorpe watch list: 1

8. Boise State

• 2017 total defense ranking: 22
• Players on Butkus watch list: 0
• Players on Nagurski watch list: 2
• Players on Outland watch list: 1
• Players on Bednarik watch list: 1
• Players on Jim Thorpe watch list: 2

9. Miami

• 2017 total defense ranking: 38
• Players on Butkus watch list: 1
• Players on Nagurski watch list: 3
• Players on Outland watch list: 1
• Players on Bednarik watch list: 2
• Players on Jim Thorpe watch list: 2

10. Wyoming

• 2017 total defense ranking: 23
• Players on Butkus watch list: 0
• Players on Nagurski watch list: 3
• Players on Outland watch list: 1
• Players on Bednarik watch list: 2
• Players on Jim Thorpe watch list: 1

Not ranked: Auburn

• 2017 total defense ranking: 14
• Players on Butkus watch list: 1
• Players on Nagurski watch list: 2
• Players on Outland watch list: 1
• Players on Bednarik watch list: 2
• Players on Jim Thorpe watch list: 0

So where do you think Auburn stands among these teams? What would your ranking of top 10 defenses be? Tell us what you think in the comments section below as well as on Twitter. Let’s talk about it.