TCU's football team led the nation in total defense in 2008, the third time in the last nine seasons it has topped the country in that category.
No other team has led the nation in total defense as much as TCU in that stretch.
The Horned Frogs (11-2), who finished seventh in both the Associated Press and USA Today polls, allowed just 217.8 yards per game. USC was second at 221.8. All other teams surrendered at least 263.5 yards.
The 217.8 average was the lowest mark in Gary Patterson's eight seasons as head coach, bettering the previous-best total of 234.9 in 2006.
The Frogs were also first this season in run defense (47.1 yards per game), fewest first downs allowed per game (12.1) and time of possession (35:10).
TCU was second in scoring defense (11.3 points per game), trailing only USC (9.0), and fourth in pass efficiency defense (97.9).
TCU's nation-leading run defense was 27.0 yards better than runner-up Alabama (74.1). By surrendering just 1.7 yards per rush, the Frogs were the only team in the country to allow less than a 2.7 per carry average.
