Chaos Theory

Havoc, takeaways, and disruption — defenses that wreck the script. A defense-first ranking centered on havoc — the rate at which a defense disrupts plays via sacks, tackles for loss, forced fumbles, and interceptions. This ranking will surface units that may not lead in yards allowed but bend opposing offenses to their will. For fans who believe defense actually still wins championships.

2024 Season

Formula

Defensive Havoc Rate (total)25%Points Allowed / Game15%Interceptions (defense)15%Defensive PPA (opp per play)10%Sacks10%Tackles for Loss10%Fumbles Recovered10%Pick-Six / Interception TDs5%

Score Distribution

134 teams · click a logo to jump to row

↑ weakeststrongest ↑

Rank▲	Team	Score	Defensive Havoc Rate (total)	Points Allowed / Game	Interceptions (defense)	Defensive PPA (opp per play)	Sacks	Tackles for Loss	Fumbles Recovered	Pick-Six / Interception TDs
1	Texas· SEC	90.60	95.2	98.1	85.1	97.4	97.4	97.0	75.8	51.5
2	Ohio State· Big Ten	85.30	95.9	99.6	44.8	99.6	98.5	97.0	75.8	51.5
3	Duke· ACC	84.20	97.4	55.6	75.8	83.2	96.3	98.9	97.4	51.5
4	Ohio· Mid-American	83.32	94.4	90.7	65.7	83.2	82.5	87.7	83.6	51.5
5	Ole Miss· SEC	83.13	99.6	98.9	18.7	98.5	98.5	99.6	83.6	51.5
6	Penn State· Big Ten	79.37	84.3	94.4	44.8	91.8	96.3	97.0	40.3	97.4
7	Notre Dame· FBS Independents	78.97	75.0	97.0	26.9	98.5	90.7	80.2	97.4	99.3
8	Indiana· Big Ten	78.47	98.1	95.9	9.0	94.0	82.5	89.5	75.8	80.6
9	Utah· Big 12	78.26	89.2	81.7	96.6	94.0	44.4	67.2	40.3	92.5
10	James Madison· Sun Belt	78.00	92.5	84.3	1.5	95.9	92.9	85.1	97.4	97.4
11	Colorado· Big 12	77.78	91.4	67.9	44.8	86.9	89.2	87.7	90.7	51.5
12	Tennessee· SEC	76.57	96.6	95.2	18.7	91.8	67.2	92.9	75.8	51.5
13	SMU· ACC	76.38	75.8	76.5	65.7	95.9	95.2	89.5	40.3	80.6
14	Florida· SEC	76.29	74.3	67.9	85.1	62.7	90.7	78.0	90.7	51.5
15	UTSA· American Athletic	75.82	98.9	24.3	75.8	78.4	94.4	97.0	83.6	15.3
16	Texas State· Pac-12	75.47	79.8	54.9	85.1	73.9	77.6	92.2	75.8	51.5
17	South Carolina· SEC	75.02	79.8	91.4	18.7	88.4	92.9	80.2	83.6	80.6
18	Michigan· Big Ten	74.01	77.2	86.2	75.8	68.3	85.8	69.4	40.3	80.6
19	Pittsburgh· ACC	73.82	85.5	32.5	92.5	78.4	90.7	94.4	25.0	97.4
20	Boise State· Pac-12	72.16	90.3	72.4	18.7	48.5	99.6	95.2	75.8	80.6
21	Nebraska· Big Ten	72.07	81.3	87.7	65.7	62.7	67.2	70.9	40.3	92.5
22	Oklahoma· SEC	71.16	72.8	78.7	9.0	89.5	82.5	91.0	94.8	80.6
23	Alabama· SEC	70.09	69.8	92.9	55.2	95.9	53.0	57.1	90.7	15.3
24	Virginia Tech· ACC	69.66	84.3	71.3	35.1	78.4	85.8	70.9	83.6	15.3
25	Clemson· ACC	68.90	86.6	62.3	18.7	62.7	82.5	82.1	83.6	80.6
26	Georgia· SEC	68.60	43.3	83.2	75.8	73.9	86.9	80.2	90.7	15.3
27	UNLV· Mountain West	68.34	92.5	80.2	9.0	68.3	92.9	91.0	40.3	51.5
28	Miami (OH)· Mid-American	67.31	60.5	89.2	65.7	68.3	67.2	63.1	83.6	15.3
29	Texas A&M· SEC	67.16	93.7	74.3	55.2	56.0	48.5	85.1	13.4	80.6
30	San José State· Mountain West	67.03	64.9	37.7	92.5	78.4	53.0	87.7	53.4	80.6
31	South Florida· American Athletic	66.88	86.6	26.5	44.8	56.0	72.8	93.7	97.4	51.5
32	Toledo· Mid-American	66.72	76.5	65.3	26.9	83.2	72.8	82.1	53.4	92.5
33	Sam Houston· Conference USA	66.12	57.5	84.3	35.1	83.2	63.4	60.8	90.7	80.6
34	Tulane· American Athletic	66.06	53.7	82.5	35.1	91.8	74.6	68.3	65.7	99.3
35	NC State· ACC	65.49	90.3	23.5	75.8	35.8	44.4	76.1	83.6	80.6
36	Houston· Big 12	63.66	64.9	70.5	96.6	68.3	32.5	43.7	53.4	51.5
37	BYU· Big 12	63.21	68.3	86.9	85.1	68.3	26.1	29.9	53.4	51.5
38	Minnesota· Big Ten	62.41	88.1	93.7	9.0	91.8	63.4	41.0	13.4	80.6
39	Oregon· Big Ten	62.01	82.8	88.4	9.0	73.9	88.1	72.4	25.0	15.3
40	LSU· SEC	61.68	68.3	56.3	65.7	42.2	77.6	51.9	65.7	51.5
41	Buffalo· Mid-American	61.51	82.8	40.7	9.0	56.0	70.5	85.1	75.8	92.5
42	Missouri· SEC	60.95	72.8	85.5	3.4	73.9	59.3	51.9	83.6	51.5
43	Kansas State· Big 12	60.86	61.9	63.4	44.8	83.2	82.5	75.0	25.0	51.5
44	Kentucky· SEC	60.63	57.5	75.8	96.6	56.0	38.4	43.7	40.3	51.5
45	Marshall· Sun Belt	60.54	78.7	67.9	1.5	68.3	77.6	78.0	40.3	80.6
46	Iowa· Big Ten	60.28	61.9	92.2	26.9	78.4	67.2	32.5	65.7	51.5
47	East Carolina· American Athletic	59.83	50.4	38.4	99.6	50.4	19.8	83.2	65.7	92.5
48	Northern Illinois· Mountain West	59.81	66.4	89.9	26.9	89.5	77.6	57.1	25.0	15.3
49	Rice· American Athletic	59.38	72.8	47.4	75.8	50.4	72.8	64.9	13.4	51.5
50	California· ACC	59.20	81.3	73.5	18.7	56.0	77.6	66.0	25.0	51.5
51	Memphis· American Athletic	58.58	88.1	59.3	9.0	42.2	53.0	63.1	97.4	15.3
52	UConn· FBS Independents	58.30	68.3	67.9	35.1	86.9	53.0	67.2	25.0	51.5
53	UTEP· Mountain West	57.63	71.3	16.0	65.7	56.0	82.5	76.1	53.4	15.3
54	Miami· ACC	56.01	78.0	48.9	26.9	56.0	82.5	73.9	13.4	51.5
55	Auburn· SEC	55.99	38.8	79.5	75.8	86.9	63.4	47.0	25.0	15.3
56	Louisiana Tech· Conference USA	53.34	40.7	81.0	26.9	83.2	32.5	51.9	94.8	15.3
57	Central Michigan· Mid-American	52.97	66.4	27.2	65.7	34.0	70.5	85.1	9.0	51.5
58	Boston College· ACC	52.57	59.0	60.5	18.7	56.0	59.3	32.5	65.7	92.5
59	Jacksonville State· Conference USA	52.54	56.3	42.2	18.7	56.0	48.5	72.4	90.7	51.5
60	Louisville· ACC	52.20	52.2	58.2	9.0	56.0	77.6	78.0	53.4	51.5
61	Kansas· Big 12	51.75	60.5	44.0	65.7	25.4	59.3	51.9	25.0	80.6
62	Eastern Michigan· Mid-American	51.72	63.4	36.2	44.8	35.8	53.0	57.1	83.6	15.3
63	UCLA· Big Ten	50.22	70.5	49.6	55.2	48.5	38.4	32.5	9.0	80.6
64	North Carolina· ACC	49.68	47.0	34.0	35.1	42.2	88.1	59.0	40.3	92.5
65	Syracuse· ACC	48.60	63.4	28.7	65.7	20.5	59.3	55.2	25.0	51.5
66	Hawai'i· Mountain West	47.99	42.2	44.0	90.3	34.0	59.3	47.0	25.0	15.3
67	UCF· Big 12	47.07	52.2	39.2	55.2	56.0	38.4	73.9	4.5	51.5
68	Iowa State· Big 12	46.83	47.0	69.8	44.8	42.2	6.3	47.0	75.8	15.3
69	Bowling Green· Mid-American	46.36	43.3	78.0	9.0	68.3	74.6	51.9	4.5	51.5
70	Fresno State· Pac-12	45.90	28.7	51.9	85.1	83.2	19.8	28.0	25.0	51.5
71	Arizona State· Big 12	45.65	50.4	72.4	9.0	73.9	32.5	36.9	25.0	80.6
72	Navy· American Athletic	45.34	25.8	75.0	9.0	73.9	63.4	26.1	53.4	92.5
73	Baylor· Big 12	45.19	34.0	39.9	44.8	42.2	44.4	51.9	75.8	51.5
74	Vanderbilt· SEC	45.06	55.6	63.4	1.5	25.4	53.0	55.2	40.3	80.6
75	Colorado State· Pac-12	45.04	59.0	45.1	44.8	42.2	7.8	19.8	90.7	15.3
76	Northwestern· Big Ten	44.51	40.7	41.4	55.2	56.0	44.4	17.5	40.3	80.6
77	TCU· Big 12	44.22	36.6	53.4	55.2	42.2	56.7	41.0	40.3	15.3
78	Florida Atlantic· American Athletic	42.85	53.7	22.8	55.2	29.9	9.0	47.0	65.7	51.5
79	Liberty· Conference USA	42.65	36.6	61.6	18.7	78.4	26.1	36.9	65.7	15.3
80	South Alabama· Sun Belt	42.22	47.0	50.4	9.0	62.7	32.5	60.8	13.4	92.5
81	USC· Big Ten	41.85	19.8	58.2	90.3	42.2	26.1	11.9	40.3	51.5
82	Cincinnati· Big 12	41.74	50.4	54.1	18.7	42.2	19.8	36.9	75.8	15.3
83	Utah State· Pac-12	41.36	36.6	4.5	96.6	13.4	63.4	59.0	9.0	51.5
84	Coastal Carolina· Sun Belt	41.10	20.9	19.8	55.2	29.9	63.4	22.0	90.7	80.6
85	Old Dominion· Sun Belt	40.97	48.9	35.1	35.1	42.2	44.4	63.1	25.0	15.3
86	Stanford· ACC	40.69	25.8	13.8	96.6	14.9	53.0	29.9	53.4	51.5
87	Western Kentucky· Conference USA	40.15	6.0	52.6	65.7	25.4	38.4	47.0	90.7	15.3
88	Georgia Tech· ACC	40.06	44.8	46.6	18.7	50.4	13.4	60.8	40.3	51.5
89	Florida State· ACC	39.76	40.7	35.1	75.8	17.2	48.5	51.9	4.5	15.3
90	Arkansas· SEC	39.05	33.2	51.1	35.1	62.7	56.7	26.1	25.0	15.3
91	Troy· Sun Belt	38.81	54.9	31.7	35.1	42.2	13.4	64.9	4.5	51.5
92	Washington State· Pac-12	38.66	31.7	25.0	35.1	29.9	38.4	36.9	65.7	92.5
93	Michigan State· Big Ten	38.30	28.7	42.9	75.8	42.2	19.8	41.0	4.5	51.5
94	Illinois· Big Ten	37.52	11.9	77.2	9.0	42.2	69.0	13.4	65.7	51.5
95	Air Force· Mountain West	37.44	31.7	64.5	44.8	34.0	13.4	10.4	65.7	15.3
96	Army· American Athletic	37.31	34.7	97.0	1.5	68.3	38.4	19.8	4.5	15.3
97	Kennesaw State· Conference USA	37.00	14.2	21.3	85.1	25.4	38.4	19.8	65.7	51.5
98	Oklahoma State· Big 12	36.81	31.7	6.3	96.6	5.6	53.0	41.0	9.0	51.5
99	Maryland· Big Ten	36.64	20.9	22.0	85.1	42.2	3.4	47.0	53.4	15.3
100	Western Michigan· Mid-American	36.55	47.0	20.5	35.1	7.5	19.8	11.9	99.6	51.5
101	Virginia· ACC	35.82	28.7	30.6	85.1	14.9	32.5	17.5	40.3	15.3
102	Tulsa· American Athletic	35.69	36.6	1.1	65.7	3.4	13.4	69.4	53.4	51.5
103	Georgia Southern· Sun Belt	34.42	23.1	36.9	55.2	17.2	32.5	32.5	40.3	51.5
104	Texas Tech· Big 12	33.86	15.7	9.3	55.2	20.5	32.5	43.7	65.7	80.6
105	Arizona· Big 12	33.75	23.1	19.0	75.8	20.5	26.1	17.5	65.7	15.3
106	Washington· Big Ten	33.45	18.7	60.5	26.9	62.7	26.1	7.1	53.4	15.3
107	Charlotte· American Athletic	33.34	44.8	8.6	85.1	25.4	3.4	22.0	4.5	51.5
108	West Virginia· Big 12	32.95	8.6	18.3	85.1	7.5	26.1	28.0	65.7	51.5
109	Louisiana· Sun Belt	32.52	14.2	57.1	35.1	32.1	44.4	24.3	25.0	51.5
110	Southern Miss· Sun Belt	31.74	23.1	4.5	96.6	5.6	26.1	36.9	13.4	51.5
111	Florida International· Conference USA	31.44	4.5	45.9	55.2	68.3	13.4	4.5	25.0	80.6
112	App State· Sun Belt	31.06	3.4	14.6	92.5	9.3	44.4	4.5	75.8	15.3
113	Wisconsin· Big Ten	30.97	7.5	66.0	44.8	42.2	9.0	0.4	65.7	15.3
114	UL Monroe· Sun Belt	30.82	11.9	30.6	65.7	32.1	13.4	9.3	53.4	51.5
115	Wyoming· Mountain West	30.63	28.7	33.2	55.2	20.5	6.3	24.3	25.0	51.5
116	San Diego State· Pac-12	29.89	9.3	28.0	26.9	20.5	70.5	36.9	25.0	80.6
117	North Texas· American Athletic	29.05	2.6	11.6	85.1	25.4	48.5	32.5	25.0	15.3
118	Rutgers· Big Ten	28.88	28.7	48.1	18.7	17.2	38.4	10.4	25.0	51.5
119	Arkansas State· Sun Belt	28.43	38.8	16.8	44.8	5.6	19.8	36.9	25.0	15.3
120	Akron· Mid-American	27.99	23.1	17.5	44.8	29.9	13.4	24.3	53.4	15.3
121	Georgia State· Sun Belt	27.78	15.7	13.1	75.8	11.6	13.4	7.1	65.7	15.3
122	UAB· American Athletic	27.63	10.1	10.4	92.5	25.4	13.4	7.1	25.0	51.5
123	Wake Forest· ACC	25.54	4.5	15.3	75.8	11.6	26.1	22.0	40.3	15.3
124	Oregon State· Pac-12	24.38	11.9	25.8	55.2	11.6	0.4	1.5	53.4	51.5
125	Ball State· Mid-American	23.68	11.9	1.9	55.2	1.1	26.1	14.9	53.4	51.5
126	Temple· American Athletic	23.36	6.0	7.8	85.1	25.4	3.4	2.6	40.3	15.3
127	New Mexico· Mountain West	23.30	16.8	3.4	65.7	2.2	19.8	4.5	53.4	15.3
128	Nevada· Mountain West	21.31	25.8	29.5	26.9	17.2	3.4	13.4	4.5	51.5
129	Kent State· Mid-American	21.16	1.9	0.4	75.8	2.2	13.4	16.0	53.4	15.3
130	Middle Tennessee· Conference USA	20.45	17.5	10.4	44.8	4.1	26.1	14.9	25.0	15.3
131	New Mexico State· Conference USA	15.04	1.1	5.6	65.7	9.3	3.4	1.5	0.8	51.5
132	Purdue· Big Ten	15.04	7.5	2.6	35.1	0.4	38.4	28.0	0.8	15.3
133	Massachusetts· Mid-American	12.01	18.7	7.1	9.0	13.4	6.3	8.6	13.4	15.3
134	Mississippi State· SEC	11.38	0.4	12.3	26.9	9.3	1.1	4.5	13.4	51.5

Top 5

1Texas90.6
2Ohio State85.3
3Duke84.2
4Ohio83.3
5Ole Miss83.1

Bottom 5

134Mississippi State11.4
133Massachusetts12.0
132Purdue15.0
131New Mexico State15.0
130Middle Tennessee20.4

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