Stopping the run doesn’t guarantee success.

But Alabama, the best team in the SEC at doing so since Nick Saban arrived, sure has leveraged it into some mighty accomplishments. And in a year with so much inexperience at quarterback conference-wide, it’s sure to be a valuable asset.

Because there’s been such a large influx of talented defensive tackles in the last several recruiting classes, it’s even harder than usual to predict the best run defenses in the SEC. There are several other teams who could finish the year on this list without causing us to raise our eyebrows. But here are the five defenses that we think enter the season best against the run:

5. Florida: Every year the Gators ship off defensive talent to the NFL. Yet every year the unit returns looking like one of the best in the SEC. Players like Caleb Brantley, Joey Ivey, CeCe Jefferson and Jarrad Davis should be enough to keep Florida near the top of the SEC in terms of run defense.

4. Missouri: Kentrell Brothers and his 152 tackles are gone. But the Tigers return six of the seven starters up front, including the entire defensive line. Account for Terry Beckner Jr.’s development at defensive tackle and potentially more snaps in a 3-4 front and there’s reason to believe Missouri can remain one of the stoutest run defenses in the SEC. Last year Mizzou finished sixth in the conference in run defense (132.8 yards per game) — but allowed just 3.3 yards per carry, second to Alabama.

3. Ole Miss: If you aren’t a Rebels fan, you may be surprised to learn that Ole Miss has allowed just 3.6 yards per carry in the last three seasons, second in the SEC to Alabama. The team will have to replace Robert Nkemdiche and C.J. Johnson — no easy task — but with D.J. Jones, Fadol Brown, Breeland Speaks, Marquis Haynes and company on the defensive line, the unit has more than enough leftover bodies to close down running lanes.

2. LSU: Wisconsin led the Big Ten in rush defense last season before Dave Aranda migrated to Baton Rouge. We’ll keep a close watch on the team’s new 3-4 scheme in Saturday’s spring game. But from Kendall Beckwith to Arden Key to Devon Godchaux, the front seven is saturated with athletic, talented players. It can’t hurt to go against Leonard Fournette and Derrius Guice in practice every day. And with Ed Orgeron continuing to coach the team’s defensive line, we have faith that this unit will be able to bottle up opposing running backs.

1. Alabama: The Tide lose the best run-stuffing defensive lineman in this year’s NFL draft (Jarran Reed) and a first-round linebacker (Reggie Ragland). Judging by the sack and interception numbers, last year’s defense arguably was more impressive against the pass. Still, this Bama defense will have every opportunity to be the best in the SEC against the run. Outside of one misplay that allowed the Georgia star to bust a single long run, in 2015, Alabama held Leonard Fournette (6.5 ypc) and Nick Chubb (8.1 ypc) to 94 yards on 38 carries — not even 2.5 yards per rush. The team has allowed single-digit rushing touchdowns in seven of the last eight seasons, leading the SEC in rush defense in the same number of years.