41.   Stronger pass defense is the biggest reason.

42.   That is a handful for any pass defense to cover.

43.   The Aggies do not necessarily look forward to trying to tackle him, but it beats the alternative, pass defense.

44.   The AFC supposedly became a passing conference, and when AFC teams were forced to emphasize pass defense, their run-stopping muscles atrophied.

45.   The Cardinals are fourth in the league in pass defense.

46.   The Bears, who featured the most porous pass defense in the Southwest Conference last season, watched Mississippi State turn cross country connections to three receivers into touchdowns.

47.   The book on pass defense may say that an eight-man secondary ultimately has the edge on five receivers.

48.   The Cowboys know it should not have come down to how well their linebackers play pass defense.

49.   The Cleveland pass defense was there, but Thigpen leaped highest and concentrated most on the ball.

50.   The Dolphin pass defense is suspect.