Here are the defenses that were #1 in their season in both run D and pass D (per attempt) among just these top tens:
Year - Team - Final Ranking
1975 Alabama, 3rd
1976 Texas A&M, 7th
1988 Auburn, 8th
1989 Miami, 1st
1992 Alabama, 1st
2004 USC, 1st
2011 Alabama, 1st
2017 Alabama, 1st
*If you don't count mid-majors, 2010 Ohio St. (5th) would make the list.
-
-
-
The most consecutive years leading the top 10 in run D is three, by:
1979, 1980, 1981 - Pitt
2015, 2016, 2017 - Alabama
-
The most consecutive years leading the top 10 in pass D is three, by:
1985, 1986, 1987 - Oklahoma
-
-
-
Teams that did it two years in a row:
Run D:
1990, 1991 - Washington
1996, 1997 - FSU
2003, 2004 - USC
2011, 2012 - Alabama
-
Pass D:
1974, 1975 - Alabama
2012, 2013 - FSU
2015, 2016 - Ohio St.