Which SEC team returns the most offensive firepower in 2013?

Published February 20, 2013 - 11:05am

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The SEC is home to the best defensive teams in the country, but in 2012, we saw some offensive explosion, with four quarterbacks throwing for over 3,000 yards, nine running backs topping the 1,000-yard mark and four receivers surpassing the 1,000-yard mark. It was a slightly different year than we’re used to seeing, and it had the SEC-haters questioning the primary “defensive” league.

But who has the most offensive firepower – in terms of scoring touchdowns – returning in 2013?

LSU leads the conference with 85.4 percent of its scorers returning. That bodes well for Cam Cameron and Les Miles as they try to kick the offense into a higher gear. Similarly, Ole Miss returns basically everyone but their tight end Jamal Mosley, who caught three touchdowns in 2012.

Also, arguably the most explosive team in Georgia merely lost one starter on offense in wide receiver Tavarres King who caught nine touchdowns in ‘12. Texas A&M returns the most explosive player in Johnny Manziel, but lost a running back and two wide receivers.

On the opposite end of the spectrum is Arkansas, who lost QB Tyler Wilson, RBs Dennis Johnson and Knile Davis, as well as wide receiver Cobi Hamilton and tight end Chris Gragg. Talk about an offensive rebuilding year in 2013 for the Hogs. Bret Bielema and Jim Chaney have their work cut out for them.

The offensive touchdowns are based on 2012’s numbers, and we note how many are returning in 2013:

LSU: 85.4% returning

41 offensive TDs in 2012 (35 return)
12 passing TDs (12 return)
12 receiving TDs (11 return)
29 rushing TDs (24 return)

Ole Miss: 83.7% returning

49 offensive TDs in 2012 (41 return)
24 passing TDs (23 return)
24 receiving TDs (20 return)
25 rushing TDs (21 return)

Georgia: 78.3% returning

69 offensive TDs in 2012 (54 return)
37 passing TDs (37 return)
37 receiving TDs (24 return)
32 rushing TDs (30 return)

Vanderbilt: 71.4% returning

42 offensive TDs in 2012 (30 return)
17 passing TDs (2 return)
17 receiving TDs (17 return)
25 rushing TDs (13 return)

Alabama: 66.2% returning

68 offensive TDs in 2012 (45 return)
31 passing TDs (31 return)
31 receiving TDs (25 return)
37 rushing TDs (20 return)

Kentucky: 65.4% returning

26 offensive TDs in 2012 (17 return)
13 passing TDs (12 return)
13 receiving TDs (5 return)
13 rushing TDs (12 return)

Auburn: 62.5% returning

24 offensive TDs in 2012 (15 return)
8 passing TDs (7 return)
8 receiving TDs (5 return)
16 rushing TDs (10 return)

Texas A&M: 59.5% returning

74 offensive TDs in 2012 (44 return)
28 passing TDs (26 return)
28 receiving TDs (10 return)
46 rushing TDs (34 return)

Missouri: 58.1% returning

31 offensive TDs in 2012 (18 return)
15 passing TDs (15 return)
15 receiving TDs (14 return)
16 rushing TDs (4 return)

Mississippi State: 54.3% returning

46 offensive TDs in 2012 (25 return)
28 passing TDs (28 return)
28 receiving TDs (7 return)
18 rushing TDs (18 return)

South Carolina: 50% returning

48 offensive TDs in 2012 (24 return)
29 passing TDs (27 return)
29 receiving TDs (18 return)
19 rushing TDs (6 return)

Tennessee: 43.4% returning

53 offensive TDs in 2012 (23 return)
35 passing TDs (1 returns)
35 receiving TDs (8 return)
18 rushing TDs (15 return)

Florida: 42.9% returning

35 offensive TDs in 2012 (15 return)
13 passing TDs (12 return)
13 receiving TDs (6 return)
22 rushing TDs (9 return)

Arkansas: 37.1 % returning

35 offensive TDs in 2012 (13 return)
23 passing TDs (2 returning)
23 receiving TDs (12 return)
12 rushing TDs (1 returns)

Photo Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports