Offense wins championships? CFP defenses face big challenges

FILE - Ohio State cornerback Shaun Wade (24) is shown during the first half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football game against Clemson in Glendale, Ariz., in this Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, file photo. Wade was selected to The Associated Press All-America first-team defense, Monday, Dec. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)

Clemson linebacker James Skalski (47) sacks Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book (12) during the first half of the Atlantic Coast Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)

Alabama defensive back Patrick Surtain II (2) runs during an NCAA college football game against LSU in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020. Surtain was selected to The Associated Press All-America first-team defense, Monday, Dec. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

FILE - In this Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, file photo, Notre Dame linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, right, breaks up a pass intended for Boston College wide receiver Zay Flowers (4) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Boston. Owusu-Koramoah was voted The Associated Press defensive player of the year for the Atlantic Coast Conference and was one of nine Notre Dame selections to the AP all-ACC team. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File)