Of course it does, but it is equally shortsighted to assume the strength of your rush defense when the majority of your opponents have shown over 5 games (nearly half the season) that they are not that strong on the ground.

Looking at the FBS opponents only:

Akron: the only of AU's 4 FBS games where there was a significant difference in the AU game vs the rest of the opponent's schedule. And, it was a dominant defensive performance by AU (-3). The only other P5 opponent the Zips played allowed 76 yds rushing.

Penn State: held to less than 100 yds rushing in 3 of 5 games. Wisky (50) and Villanova (80) held PSU to fewer rush yds than AU (90).

Georgia State: highest ranked rushing offense AU has played (#44); counter to your thought above, that ranking is boosted by AU. GsU has 2 x games over 200 yds, and their 2nd highest production on the ground was vs AU. In contrast, Army is holding them back, as the Black Knights held them to 48 yds

LSU: AU held them to a season low 33 yds. And, 3 other teams held them under 100: UCLA (48), Central Mich (84),and Ms State (63). The only time LSU has cracked 100yds was a 125 yd outing vs McNeese State. Au stats again have an effect, but the whole picture is a team that is not very good on the ground.

All that do say what I said initially,

2nd half of the season will see teams mature, injuries and being banged up have more effect, and conference schedules take a toll. We'll see how it goes.

But, your argument that AU is a large part of the reason for their opponents rankings didn't hold up in 3 of the 4 FBS opponents.

I think it is tough to tell at the moment,today may be the tale of the tape for AU's D. Hoping they hold up and the JHS golden horse shoe makes an appearance to take some wind out of CKS' sails.