University of Washington Defensive Rate Stats - Big10 Conference Games Only

Defensive Quick Thoughts …

By and large, the defense was a Top 5 defense in the Big10 and really highlights the work that Walters did in Year 1 building a relatively sound defense with the only real weakness being that they were below average in forcing turnovers.

Similar to the OL and the run game, the investment across the DL proved valuable in material YoY improvement in yards allowed per carry. There's still a full yard differential to the top of the conference but it's generally consistent with Oregon which has to be viewed as a positive given the head start that they've had in building their defense with a defensive minded HC.

The pass defense outperformed the run defense from a conference standpoint even though it was directionally similar to 2024 despite some turnover and S and some challenges over the course of the year at the LB level in coverage. This could be an interesting area to watch in 2026 as there's going to be some turnover at CB, an influx of young talented replacements, and what should be an uptick at both the S and LB levels. The rate numbers aren't the result of offenses driving a heavy check-down offense as UW's completion % allowed was just under 62% and ranked 4th in the conference.

The improved defensive efficiency helped in reducing the points per game allowed by almost a TD versus 2024. When you're giving up 20 points per game in the conference you should view yourself as having a chance to win each and every game. The numbers at the top of the conference with Indiana and Ohio St highlight that games at that level are games where points become priorities when the opportunities present themselves. This may be the biggest takeaway about life at the Big10 in that defenses rule the day (unlike in the PAC12) and scoring in this conference requires the intersection of talent and execution.

The lack of turnovers is the primary rate measure where this defense underperformed and could be a source of significant improvement. On the surface, this speaks to our inability to really win off the edges getting to the QB as well as the overall lack of playmakers that the defense had. Addressing these areas should increase the number of turnovers forced and potentially set the offense up for some easier scores.

If the defense can run this performance back next year, create some additional turnovers, and pair this with a step forward from the offense … you could very easily see another step forward in 2026 for the program and that would be approaching CFB territory.