We have reached the point in the off-season where spring football has concluded and fans are starting to have a better understanding of what their team’s depth chart may look like. With that, we are going to take a look at specific position groups across the PAC 12 and Mountain West. With our coverage shifting to two different conferences, it will be impossible to cover all 18 teams in one article each week. For that reason, we are going to focus on a couple of teams that fit the bill in each category.
Over the past few weeks, we have talked about quarterbacks, running backs, offensive lines, and wide receivers. This week, we shift our attention to the other side of the ball and will dive into the defensive line.
The Good
New Mexico
There are two stats that give us a really good idea of defensive line production. Yards allowed per rush and sacks. The Lobos led the Mountain West in both of these categories last season. One thing became really clear last fall and it will once again translate onto the field this season. Jason Eck and his staff preach toughness and physical play. The Lobos should have a really talented defensive line again this season. If they can replicate these stats, I like their chances of playing for a conference championship in December.
San Diego State
It feels like the Aztecs always have elite play on the defensive line, and even with the departure of elite pass rusher Trey White, they should still be among the best in the conference this fall. The Aztecs finished the 2025 season second in both rush yards allowed and total sacks. Newly promoted defensive coordinator Demetrius Sumler will continue the trend of aggressive, defensive line play that has been a staple of this program for over a decade.
The Bad
Air Force
If you want to look at one of the top reasons the Falcons struggled last season, you won’t have to look far. The Falcons are known for having elite play up front, but they struggled mightily last season. The Falcons had the fewest sacks in the conference and they allowed over five yards per rush. I don’t expect the Falcons to ever be near the top of the conference, but it is an art form that is difficult for them to replicate in practice. However, finishing the season with only 16 sacks is telling. This team lacked the physical toughness we are accustomed to with this program and things aren’t looking much better this fall.
Wyoming
Like Air Force, this is not a program we would typically see in the “Bad” category. The Cowboys are known for being a physical squad that forces the opposition to air it out. That wasn’t the case with the 2025 version of this team and it isn’t looking much better this season. Last year, the Cowboys finished near the bottom of the conference with only 18 sacks and they finished ninth in rushing yards allowed per game. If the Cowboys are going to return to being a consistent bowl team, they are going to have to perform much better in the trenches.
The Ugly
San Jose State
The 2025 season was much tougher than we all anticipated for the Spartans, and a big part of their struggles was a lack of production on the defensive side of the ball, particularly on the defensive line. The Spartans had one of the worst defensive lines on the West Coast, finishing the season with only 18 sacks. Their rush defense was okay, surrendering just over four yards per carry, but some of that was the fact that teams were able to pass the ball with great success. This is a big season for Ken Niumatalolo’s team. They are expected to be one of the better programs in the new look Mountain West and if they have another down season, they might be forced to look for a new head coach this winter.
Colorado State
2025 was a rough year for the Rams. They had high expectations after a successful 2024 season. The wheels came off the bus early for Colorado State and many of their problems can be attributed to poor play up front. The Rams finished tied for the least amount of sacks in the Mountain West with only 16. They were even worse at stopping the run. The Rams were far and away the worst rush defense in the conference, giving up 204 yards rushing per game and an eye-popping five yards per carry. Good football teams stop that run; the Rams failed in that department. Maybe things will get better with new head coach Jim Mora Jr., but I’m skeptical.
How do you feel about your team’s defensive line? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
