2013 SEC defenses - will they regress?

Not enough to let anyone else win an NC.

Guess A&M and SC aren't in the SEC anymore.

We redshirt all Americans at Alabama on defense. Don't worry about us

Bama won't be inexperienced on the d-line. Bama rotates the DL a lot, so most of the DLs that will play a lot of minutes had plenty of playing time last year.

When has Saban not had a top 5 defense at Bama outside of his 1st year? Last year and in 2010 were our most inexperienced defenses, and both were top 5 defenses (if not top 3).

We frequently rotate guys on the D-Line, so it isn't like they are inexperienced. Stinson is a returning starter and Fanning and Pagan had a lot of PT last year. Dickson played a lot as LB and is being converted from Jack LB to a DE. At NT, Brandon Ivory has some PT although it is fair to say he is the least experienced as Jesse Williams played a lot.

What I'd expect from relevant SEC defenses:

-Bama - Bama gonna Bama. They'll be more than fine. Their DL is never going to be the anchor of their defense, and they rotate so many guys you're never going to have a total lack of experience and a lack of talent is obviously never going to be the case. I still think the one thing they're missing is a dominant passrusher, but they won't be facing many elite QBs in the SEC so they can mask this.

-LSU - Pretty much the same as Bama. Their secondary should be extremely talented. LBs will be fine, replacing Minter sounds daunting, but Chavis can coach the position as well or better than anyone. DL depth isn't as superb as it's been in past years IMO, but the starters are elite.

-Florida - Defense should be pretty sick, but I don't completely discount their losses at LB, DT and S. If any of the first 3 are going to falter I'd expect it to be Florida. The best thing for their defense would probably be an offense with a pulse. Their DEs (I wanted Bullard so bad) and CBs should be special though.

-South Carolina - People will think I'm just flaming, but I expect a sliiiight drop by them. This is the first year without guys Elis developed so there's that, but there's also just the sheer number of losses in the back 7. Their DL is probably the best in the SEC, no one gets the credit they deserve outside of Clowney, but it's loaded. I'll be curious how they replace the losses at LB and DB though. Still will be damn good, but I expect a slight drop.

-UGA - Whatever. They're going to be meh just like they were last year.

According to your link Louisville and TCU should be pretty stout.

quote:

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A&M #97
LSU #101
Florida #107
S. Carolina #116
Georgia DEAD LAST #126

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Damn.

you try way too hard

I don't think SEC defenses will be dramatically down, but it may appear so due to this being a unique year in the SEC. This coming season will have possibly the most talent at the QB and WR positions the SEC has seen in a decade. Combine that with one of the most inexperienced group of secondaries the SEC has seen in a while and there is sure to be a lot of points put on the board.

Regress? For Florida, I don't think that will be as much of a concern. They did lose some good talent, sure, but they also have some guys who have had experience (Roberson, Purifoy, etc.)