Continuing our summer team-by-team strengths series, determining which squad will lead the SEC in pass defense is a challenge considering secondary play should be one of the league’s best attributes this season.

Editor’s Note: A team’s secondary production projection is based on the team’s total yards yielded through the air — from starters to second, and sometimes, third-teamers — along with pass breakups and interception numbers.

The SEC’s five best pass defenses in 2015 will be …

5. Mizzou Tigers

Preferred combo: CB Aarion Penton and Kenya Dennis
Underrated weapon: S Ian Simon
Projected production yielded: 2,505 yards, 17 TDs

Why it’s deadly: There’s going to be immense pressure on Mizzou’s veteran-heavy secondary to show up this season since the Tigers’ defensive line has suffered major personnel losses, but it’s a group capable of exceeding expectations. Few teams in the SEC possess a cornerback tandem as reliable as Penton and Dennis, guys who emerged as leaders last season. Simon, a fifth-year senior, is coming off a banner 54-tackle campaign that concluded with his best outing as a collegian in the Citrus Bowl.

4. Georgia Bulldogs

Preferred combo: SS Dominick Sanders and FS Quincy Mauger
Underrated weapon: CB Devin Bowman
Projected production yielded: 2,421 yards, 15 TDs

Why it’s deadly: As a true freshman last season, Sanders started all 13 games with stellar results, registering 34 tackles, three interceptions and a fumble return for a touchdown. Paired with Mauger, a headhunter in centerfield, Sanders gives Georgia two quality safeties at the back end. You’d have to expect production to increase from the Bulldogs’ secondary this fall based on what Jeremy Pruitt has back at outside linebacker. Routine blitzing plays into this team’s strengths with playmakers on the outside capable of taking advantage of quick, sometimes ill-advised, decisions by opposing quarterbacks. Keep an eye on reserve Tramel Terry, a former four-star from the 2013 class who has secured a spot as a second-teamer and spot snaps in nickel.

3. Florida Gators

Preferred combo: CB Vernon Hargreaves and S Keanu Neal
Underrated weapon: CB Jalen Tabor
Projected production yielded: 2,300 yards, 12 TDs

Why it’s deadly: The Gators have a great shot at leading the SEC in interceptions this season with everyone back in a secondary that’s expected to play even more loose behind first-year defensive coordinator Geoff Collins. The obvious headliner is Hargreaves, college football’s top-rated corner and a first-round lock in next year’s NFL draft. He is the SEC’s active leader in pass breakups. There’s plenty of help at safety behind Hargraves from Neal and Maye and opposite corner Brian Poole picked off a team-high four passes last season. There isn’t a weakness in this year’s secondary for the Gators.

2. Ole Miss Rebels

Preferred combo: Huskie Tony Conner and Rover Trae Elston
Underrated weapon: CB Tony Bridges
Projected production yielded: 2,199 yards, 12 TDs

Why it’s deadly: It’s a new-look secondary without All-Americans Senquez Golson and Cody Prewitt, but don’t expect a major drop-off in the production department. Tony Conner is one of college football’s best on the outside, a feared hitter and highly-skilled ball hawk who leads a group hoping to match last season’s SEC-high 22 interceptions as a unit. Seniors Trae Elston and Mike Hilton return as mulit-year veterans anxious to push this Ole Miss secondary to the next level. Four-star JUCO transfer Tony Bridges provides an immediate impact player at corner while Tee Shepard’s return from toe surgery stabilizes top-to-bottom talent at the back end.

1. LSU Tigers

Preferred combo: CB Tre’Davious White and S Jalen Mills
Underrated weapon: S Jamal Adams
Projected production yielded: 2,080 yards, 12 TDs

Why it’s deadly: One of only five teams in college football to give up 10 or fewer touchdown passes last season, the Tigers should be just as good, if not better, at the back end despite losing cornerback Rashard Robinson (expected to re-enroll next season) and safety Jalen Collins. One of the most fierce position battles during spring ball was between Ed Paris and five-star freshman Kevin Toliver for the starting cornerback spot alongside White. LSU has depth on the corners, a necessity in the SEC. It’ll be interesting to see if the Tigers alter their preferred bump-and-run press coverage scheme under Kevin Steele. One of this team’s primary strengths is tackling. LSU gave up an SEC-low 5.5 yards per completion last fall.