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Most improved SEC defense in 2015?
Posted on 4/2/15 at 11:43 am
Posted on 4/2/15 at 11:43 am
After reading this board and a few others, there seems to be a lot of optimism among SEC fans about their defense next year. Tennessee, Auburn, South Carolina seem to be the most hopeful, partly because they have plenty of room to improve. Ole Miss, LSU, and Alabama are looking to build on what were stout units in 2014. Missouri expects Pinkel to field a good defense, and he's done a good job of meeting their expectations in recent years. TAMU fans are excited about Chavis. Arkansas came on strong at the end of 2014 and seem positive about next year.
On the downside, Florida has some depth issues, especially at linebacker and their fans don't seem quite as optimistic after losing Muschamp. Haven't read much about MSU, Vandy, and Kentucky.
Georgia will enter Pruitt's second season with decent depth and experience in the secondary for the first time in several seasons. The return of Jordan Jenkins and Leonard Floyd, plus high hopes for Lorenzo Carter makes for a formidable pass rush. Biggest questions are interior DL and ILB, but we should have enough talent for a pretty good rotation at those spots. I expect a better defense for the Dawgs, but we'll need contribution from some newcomers, several of whom were early enrollees.
Overall, 2014 was not an impressive showing for SEC defenses. It'll be interesting to see if the league repairs it's reputation in 2015.
On the downside, Florida has some depth issues, especially at linebacker and their fans don't seem quite as optimistic after losing Muschamp. Haven't read much about MSU, Vandy, and Kentucky.
Georgia will enter Pruitt's second season with decent depth and experience in the secondary for the first time in several seasons. The return of Jordan Jenkins and Leonard Floyd, plus high hopes for Lorenzo Carter makes for a formidable pass rush. Biggest questions are interior DL and ILB, but we should have enough talent for a pretty good rotation at those spots. I expect a better defense for the Dawgs, but we'll need contribution from some newcomers, several of whom were early enrollees.
Overall, 2014 was not an impressive showing for SEC defenses. It'll be interesting to see if the league repairs it's reputation in 2015.
This post was edited on 4/2/15 at 11:49 am
Posted on 4/2/15 at 11:45 am to wdhalgren
In terms of improvement I've got:
1. Auburn
2. A&M
3. South Carolina
1. Auburn
2. A&M
3. South Carolina
Posted on 4/2/15 at 11:46 am to wdhalgren
LSU's run defense will improve drastically.
Posted on 4/2/15 at 11:49 am to wdhalgren
Mississippi State.
Easy. That "pass" defense last season.... a minor improvement automatically puts them in the top 3.
Easy. That "pass" defense last season.... a minor improvement automatically puts them in the top 3.
Posted on 4/2/15 at 11:49 am to wdhalgren
I expect to see offense rule the day again with auburn and the aggies fielding a much better defense though.
Posted on 4/2/15 at 11:51 am to wdhalgren
I just want a decent defense. That's all we need to be in contention for Championships
Posted on 4/2/15 at 11:57 am to wdhalgren
Texas A&M 2015
This post was edited on 4/2/15 at 12:01 pm
Posted on 4/2/15 at 11:59 am to Dellort
quote:
Easy. That "pass" defense last season.... a minor improvement automatically puts them in the top 3.
We return just about everyone in our secondary. I think, we'll be pretty good if our LB's step up. Not to worried about DL even after the departures we've had. That's never been a position of concern for me.
Posted on 4/2/15 at 12:01 pm to pivey14
I think we become a average team all around. Middle of the pack in every category
Posted on 4/2/15 at 12:03 pm to Dawgsontop34
I don't have a big disagreement with that ranking, but I think I'd put South Carolina and TAMU at 1 and 2. Both of those were horrible at times last year. TAMU upgraded at DC and South Carolina seems to have improved their personnel. If Tennessee's DL recruits live up to their expectations (which will be quite a feat), they could be near the top. Also, judging from the job Pruitt did with our 2014 secondary, which was a dumpster fire going into the year, I think UGA could make a push for most improved too.
This post was edited on 4/2/15 at 12:05 pm
Posted on 4/2/15 at 12:05 pm to wdhalgren
This could be my favorite preseason Defense yet.
Posted on 4/2/15 at 12:31 pm to wdhalgren
LSU now that we don't have Chavis holding us back and we actually have a real coach.
Posted on 4/2/15 at 12:34 pm to wdhalgren
Hard to say you'll improve when you finished at the top the previous year and you're bringing in a new scheme.
One thing I hope and believe LSU will improve on is QB pressure, which should lead to more sacks and turnovers. Our offense needs all of the possessions it can get.
I don't know enough about who lost what on defense to comment on other teams but there won't be a shortage of good and talented defenses in the SEC.
One thing I hope and believe LSU will improve on is QB pressure, which should lead to more sacks and turnovers. Our offense needs all of the possessions it can get.
I don't know enough about who lost what on defense to comment on other teams but there won't be a shortage of good and talented defenses in the SEC.
Posted on 4/2/15 at 12:40 pm to wdhalgren
You all know how badly we suck. Every offense, especially Vandy, will run roughshod around and through our porous defense.
This post was edited on 4/2/15 at 12:41 pm
Posted on 4/2/15 at 12:41 pm to Dellort
quote:
Mississippi State.
Easy. That "pass" defense last season.... a minor improvement automatically puts them in the top 3.
Their front seven will be weaker. They were the benefits of a strong offense last year. Their stats against the pass were skewed because they were behind and were forced to. With a weaker offense, State's defense will be much worse against the run this year and only better against the pass on paper.
Posted on 4/2/15 at 12:41 pm to wdhalgren
A&M. They'll still be bad but will be most improved.
Posted on 4/2/15 at 12:41 pm to Scoreboard
Our defense will be top 3 in the SEC IF we can find a way to replace AJ Johnson at MLB.
If not we will be in the 4-8 range I would guess.
If not we will be in the 4-8 range I would guess.
Posted on 4/2/15 at 12:41 pm to AdamDeMamp
quote:
One thing I hope and believe LSU will improve on is QB pressure, which should lead to more sacks and turnovers.
Starting two youngsters on the inside last season allowed teams to scheme toward mitigating the outside pressure from Hunter and Rasco. Look for huge improvement up the middle from the Tigers, which will allow more chances for some very quick ends to get into the backfield. Also have some nice blitz schemes for DB's in the nickel and dime packages.
Posted on 4/2/15 at 12:42 pm to wdhalgren
TAMU is the easy answer with a new DC. I also expect Tennessee to be solid to great on defense all year as well.
Every position on offense and defense right now has depth issues with the exception of the DBs. The defense has a lot of talent on the back end. Last year, some of the numbers make the defense look down (i.e. giving up 600 to Bama), but the pieces are there to have a solid pass defense. I'm interested in seeing who steps up on the line to be a dominant run stopper/pass rusher this year with Fowler not bolstering the line and who we have to rotate in and out up front.
quote:
Florida has some depth issues, especially at linebacker
Every position on offense and defense right now has depth issues with the exception of the DBs. The defense has a lot of talent on the back end. Last year, some of the numbers make the defense look down (i.e. giving up 600 to Bama), but the pieces are there to have a solid pass defense. I'm interested in seeing who steps up on the line to be a dominant run stopper/pass rusher this year with Fowler not bolstering the line and who we have to rotate in and out up front.
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