Kentucky rises to top 5 defense in the nation

Kentucky went on its bye week and emerged from that as a top-five defense in the country. They are now ranked fifth in yards allowed per game at a stifling 244.2. The leading defense in yards per game is the Ohio State Buckeyes, who have only allowed 202.4. They aren't the only SEC team to crack that top five as Tennessee finds itself at two, and Texas finds itself at three.

You could argue that Kentucky has the best defense, considering the competition. They have played two of the best teams in the country, Georgia and Ole Miss. They also took on that Ole Miss squad when it was ranked first in the nation in offensive yards per game. The Rebels are still second in the nation in yards per game at 576.8, and it was Kentucky that knocked them off that high branch, holding them to only 353 in that game.

Ohio State, on the other hand, has played only poor offenses. The best offense they have seen is the Iowa Hawkeyes, who are ranked 90th in the country in yards per game. Don't get me wrong; the Buckeyes could have a top-ranked defense, but it hasn't been tested yet. This week, when they take on the Oregon Ducks, will tell the story.

No defense has been tested like Kentucky's and yet remained in the top rankings. The Wildcats are also ranked 11th in the country in points allowed per game. This, combined with their yards allowed per game, is an impressive feat that continues to become more impressive.

This coming week didn't look like it was originally going to be a test on the schedule in the Vanderbilt Commodores, but they just knocked off the number one ranked team in the nation in Alabama and will be coming to Lexington with a ton of confidence. It is a Commodores team that put up 40 points against the Crimson Tide and 418 yards of offense. Kentucky's Defensive Coordinator, Brad White, will do what he's done all year and get his defense ready to slow that attack down.