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Ranking the 10 best defensive lines

Updated: August 2, 2012, 12:06 PM ET
By Travis Haney

During the SEC's media days last month, I detailed one of the key reasons why the league has emerged as the best in the country: defensive linemen.

It has them in bulk, individually and collectively.

While true -- and half the lines you'll see on this list of the nation's best are from the SEC -- the six-time defending champions aren't the only ones with prowess up front.

In fact, the No. 1 team hails from another league.

Some brand-name teams dot the top 10, which is no coincidence due to recruiting and a seeming resurgence among those top-tier programs.


To read Travis Haney's list of the best defensive lines in college football, you must be an ESPN Insider.

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