The defensive line is definitely a position group that you usually think of when it comes to the SEC's strengths. Teams like Alabama and LSU generally lead the way in this category, and for good reason: they usually have the top defenses in the nation, and it's easy to tell that it all starts up from.
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For 2016, though, you shouldn't crown an SEC team with the top line in the nation, at least according to FOX Sports' Bruce Feldman. Instead of any of the usual SEC powers, Feldman has Michigan topping the list for best defensive line in 2016.
From his rankings:
Seven of the Wolverines' eight in their two-deep across the front could also weigh 280-plus with only back-up sophomore DE Chase Winovich being under that size. The headliner of the group at this point is a versatile — and agile — 6-5, 303-pound Chris Wormley, who had a breakout season in 2015, notching 14.5 TFLs. Maurice Hurst and 6-6 Taco Charlton are a pair of 285-pounders who combined for 15 TFLs in 2015.
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It is pretty difficult to argue against Michigan as the top team here. The Wolverines have been one of the top defenses in college football over the past two seasons, and there is absolutely no reason for that to change in 2016. Michigan was No. 6 in scoring defense in 2015, famously shutting out BYU, Maryland, and Northwestern in consecutive games in the middle of the season.
As the old saying goes, "defense wins championships". Jim Harbaugh and Michigan will certainly have a good one in 2016, but we will have to wait and see if it is enough to help get Big Blue back into title contention.
As for the SEC, they will live with Michigan being the top team here; they only take up four of the next six spots on the list, with Alabama leading the way at No. 2.
Texas A&M (No. 5), FSU (No. 6), and Clemson (No. 8) also made the list.
