Finally, we get into defensive backs. Here's the chart of the best in the nation:

Tckls TFL Sack INT FF-FR
Doss Ohio St 98 4.5 0 1 1-0
Newman KSU 44 2.5 0 5 1-0
Holt NCSU 91 1 1 3 3-1
Polamalu USC 68 9 3 1 3-0

Let's also award some special teams bonus points. Newman returned 22 punts for 358 yards and 2 TD, and 10 kicks for 324 yards and 1 TD. So not only was he a fantastic cover corner, he netted his team about 700 yards on special teams. Holt didn't return kicks, he blocked them. Three to be precise.

I'm a charter member of the Mike Doss fan club, but he wasn't the best defensive back this year. Polamalu was more of a destructive force for USC, but Newman was clearly the biggest difference maker.

It's funny, KSU has two of the most underrated players in the country: Sproles and Newman. Both desrve some mention among the best players in the nation.