We finished last year ranked #99 among all FBS teams in total defense (437 yards allowed per game). So far this year, we're #48 in that category, allowing 329 yards per game.

In 2018, we finished #65 in pass defense, allowing 230 passing yards per game. This year, we're up to #18 in FBS, only allowing 155 yards per game.

We've slightly improved the rushing defense, though it's still nothing to brag about, to say the least. In 2018, we finished a dismal #105 in the nation, allowing 207 rushing yards per game. So far this year, we're tied for 89th (with Colorado State), allowing 174 rushing ypg.

Finally, we finished ranked #85 in scoring defense last year (allowed 31 points per game). This year, we're allowing 23 ppg, which puts us in a 3-way tie with UNC and Cincinnati for #57 nationally. Not great, but not atrocious either.

It's still early and we'll see where these rankings go once we hit the meat of ACC play, but so far, we're on a better trajectory than last year's complete dumpster fire on D.