Ask any defensive coordinator in the country what the number one thing a defense must to do to be successful and they will tell you it is stopping the run. If you can’t stop the run, you are in for a long day on the defensive side of the ball. Rushing yards are yards without much risk of turning the ball over and by rushing the ball you maintain control of the football game. By keeping the other team’s defense on the field, you merely tire them out. By running the football effectively, you force the defense to move into a 3 deep look putting one of their safeties in the box to stop the run. This opens up the passing game and the potential for the deep ball that can stun the opposing team.

The kind of teams I like are those that not only run the ball well but teams that can stop the run as well. If you look at one of the most successful defenses, it is generally those that don’t allow the opposing team to run the ball well. By taking a look at a great defense like Ohio State’s last year, you see that they played a lot of Cover 2, with only 7 men in the box. If you can play Cover 2 and stop the run you will make the defensive coordinator’s life a lot easier. Cover 2 is the best pass defense there is because it allows all 5 underneath zones to be occupied while providing relief to your corners with a deep half safety. Ohio State last year was the type of team I liked having my money on because they had 1,300 yard rusher Antonio Pittman along with the number one rated rush defense in the country. They also didn’t give much up on the pass because they were able to stay in their two deep looks. Keep your eye on defenses that stop the run by while playing Cover 2.