Alabama defense gets the upper hand with knocking down passes

Alabama defensive lineman Jarran Reed (90) pumps up the crowd in the first quarter against Ole Miss. The UA defensive line has knocked down 13 passes through four games.Last Modified: Wednesday, September 30, 2015 at 11:40 p.m.

The defensive line has taken making quarterbacks frustrated and uncomfortable to a new level this season.

Besides the fact that it just recently tallied six sacks in the game against Louisiana-Monroe, the big guys up front are getting into opposing quarterbacks’ heads and stat lines by continuing to bat down passes at a consistent rate.

The UA defense ranks first nationally in passes broken up with 26, including a stellar 13 by the defensive linemen. Dalvin Tomlinson, a…