We recently ranked the best SEC offenses and defenses by division.

But what if we put all 28 units into a single pool, and isolated the offenses from the defenses?

Here are the SEC’s 2015 offensive and defensive units ranked by their effectiveness within a vacuum (irrespective of the other side of the ball or special teams).

1. Ole Miss defense (No. 1, SEC West): The Rebels must replace two All-Americans in the secondary, but could get even better in ’15 after leading the SEC in scoring defense. The Rebels linebackers must contribute, but the Landshark defense has a chance to be the league’s most effective unit this fall.

2. Auburn offense (No. 1, SEC West): Jeremy Johnson, Jovon Robinson and Roc Thomas have to prove it on the field. But the Tigers should again have a good offensive line. D’haquille Williams could be the most coveted receiver in next year’s NFL draft. And the unit should have more run/pass balance than we’ve seen from coach Gus Malzahn at Auburn.

3. Georgia offense (No. 1, SEC East): The Bulldogs potentially feature the nation’s best running game. It’s not just Nick Chubb we’re talking about, as the backfield is at least four deep. And that offensive line, as a unit, is spectacular at creating holes. Brice Ramsey just needs to protect the football and the Bulldogs will control the clock in a lot of games.

4. Texas A&M offense (No. 2, SEC West): With a gaggle of five-star pass-catchers and an offense line regularly churning out NFL linemen, the Aggies throw for 4,000 yards almost by default. New offensive line coach Dave Christensen should improve the team’s running game, and Kyle Allen should continue to get better.

5. Alabama offense (No. 3, SEC West): Initially controversial, the Lane Kiffin hire looks pretty good after one season. The team needs to name a quarterback, replace a few starting offensive linemen and elevate three new starting receivers. But Derrick Henry spearheads a good running game, and despite the questions there’s plenty of talent here.

6. Georgia defense (No. 1, SEC East): The Bulldogs’ pass rush should mirror ’14 Missouri. Led by its three standout outside linebackers, UGA should feature the best pass rush in the SEC. The defensive line is unheralded, but can hold its own at the point of attack. And the secondary should improve under coordinator Jeremy Pruitt, who got his start as a hot defensive backs coach.

7. Alabama defense (No. 2, SEC West): The Tide defense no longer smothers all comers. But the Bama defensive line remains as deep as any in the country, and the front seven should be excellent against the run as long as the tempo stays sane. The linebackers should be more athletic this year, so it’s up to the defensive backs to grow into their inherent talent and improve in coverage.

8. Missouri defense (No. 2, SEC East): Big-name standouts Shane Ray and Markus Golden are gone, as is Marcus Loud. But the ’15 unit should be even more balanced than the one that engineered last year’s SEC East title. The linebackers and secondary should be just as responsible as the line for creating another fast, athletic, pressure-oriented defense.

9. Arkansas defense (No. 3, SEC West): The Bermuda Triangle is gone, but the team’s defensive line stacks two deep at every position. If the starting linebackers stay healthy (depth is a huge concern there), the front seven will remain physical and menacing. The defensive backs are physical and solid as well.

10. LSU defense (No. 4, SEC West): The defense features a number of very good players, including Jalen Mills, Jamal Adams, Tre’Davious White and Kendell Beckwith. The secondary could be the best in the SEC. The linebackers are very thin, and the defensive ends are converted tackles who may or may not provide an elite-level pass rush. Overall, though, this unit should be very effective.

11. Mississippi State offense (No. 4, SEC West): The team must replace several physical, mean offensive linemen that played better collectively than their individual talent levels. Josh Robinson was one of the SEC’s better starting running backs last year, and he’s gone also. But Dak Prescott was the SEC’s best quarterback in ’14, and he looks like he’s gotten even better. He makes this unit dangerous by himself. De’Runnya Wilson and a handful of other skill players should contribute as well.

12. Tennessee defense (No. 3, SEC East): Tennessee’s defensive ends may be able to rival Georgia in terms of pass rush. Derek Barnett is a Defensive Player of the Year candidate. And the secondary is very good, led by unheralded shut-down corner Cam Sutton. The team has some physical ability up the middle, but those players are young and need time to develop.

13. Tennessee offense (No. 2, SEC East): With Joshua Dobbs at quarterback, the Jalen Hurd/Alvin Kamara in the backfield, some decent interior run-blocking and a coordinator expected to push the tempo, the Vols ought to be able to run the football. If the still-strong collection of receivers can stay healthy and Dobbs can develop as a passer, UT should overcome what may still be a below-average SEC offensive line and score some points.

14. Florida defense (No. 4, SEC East): The Gators are thin at linebacker and need Antonio Morrison to recover from his mysterious (to the public, at least) knee injury. But Florida holds the best collection of cornerbacks in the SEC, and an underrated defensive line that should develop a strong reputation by the end of the season. There’s no Dante Fowler in the front seven, and the team’s offense could put a lot of pressure on this group. But it should hold its own most of the time.

15. South Carolina offense (No. 3, SEC East): The team’s running game wasn’t as strong last year as most expected, even though Mike Davis may have been more talented than David Williams and Brandon Wilds, the ground game probably will be more effective in ’15. Pharoh Cooper will be the soul of the unit. If the team gets competent quarterback play, the offense has a chance to be pretty good.

16. LSU offense (No. 5, SEC West): The Tigers’ starting quarterback may have as much scrutiny as any position in the SEC. But Leonard Fournette could be an All-SEC running back, the team features one of the best pairs of offensive tackles in the country and the young, talented receivers should get better. With a little development from Anthony Jennings and/or Brandon Harris, LSU’s offense could move from definite liability to adequate.

17. Arkansas offense (No. 6, SEC West): The Razorbacks are a difficult unit to judge. The reshuffled offensive line has a chance to be the best in the conference. The tight ends are deep and versatile. The running backs are the most accomplished group of returners in the SEC. Brandon Allen is a senior who does relatively well at protecting the ball. But Keon Hatcher is more like a No. 2 or 3 receiver, and he’s by far the best option at wideout. The team must prove it can move the ball against physical fronts and when it’s trailing in the fourth quarter.

18. Auburn defense (No. 5, SEC West): The secondary is thin, but the starters are talented. Carl Lawson and Montravius Adams lead a defensive line that should be much improved. The team’s linebackers are solid against the run and won’t get out of position often. It’ll take another year for Will Muschamp to get this unit running at top gear, but Auburn’s defense could be good enough to avoid sabotaging the offense against elite competition.

19. Mississippi State defense (No. 6, SEC West): The front seven must survive a major talent drain. Chris Jones and A.J. Jefferson could make a strong duo at defensive tackle, and Beniquez Brown is underrated at linebacker. But the run defense should take at least a half-step back, and the secondary wasn’t all that good against the deep pass in 2014.

20. Missouri offense (No. 4, SEC East): The Tigers return one of the most experienced offensive lines in the SEC and could start five seniors there. Connor McGovern has been much better at guard thus far, so I’m curious to see whether he sticks at left tackle all season. The line and Russell Hansbrough should make for a good running game. But Maty Mauk needs to develop much more than he did in ’14, and the team’s receivers are a major concern.

21. Florida offense (No. 5, SEC East): Will Grier is inexperienced and hasn’t even won the starting quarterback job, but he’s got potential as a future star within Jim McElwain and Doug Nussmeier’s system. Demarcus Robinson is one of the best receivers in the conference, and the team has a number of serviceable other players at running back and tight end. But the offensive line is a huge question mark, with just 10 total games of starting experience.

22. South Carolina defense (No. 5, SEC East): The team totally rebuilt its defensive line and hired Jon Hoke as co-coordinator. The pass rush and secondary should get better, but there’s a long way to go. The unit’s linebackers are athletic and talented, at least. The Gamecocks won’t compete unless the team plays much more physical than last year and doesn’t allow quarterbacks to continue to stand in the pocket unchallenged.

23. Ole Miss offense (No. 7, SEC West): The Rebels return one of the most experienced offensive lines in the country, including starting left tackle and likely first-round pick Laremy Tunsil. But overall the unit didn’t perform well last season, and must get much better. The running backs aren’t the most talented in the conference, but the receivers may be the best, led by Laquon Treadwell. Along with the offensive line, the quarterback position is a major unknown. Will JUCO transfer and perpetual bad boy Chad Kelly be the answer?

24. Kentucky offense (No. 6, SEC East): The Air Raid is a smart choice for the underdog Wildcats, and coordinator Shannon Dawson is a wise replacement hire. Running back Boom Williams may be the most talented player on the unit, and UK needs to get him the ball much more often. But there are so many decent skill players — not great, but able to take advantage of matchups — that the team will move the ball against lesser competition. Kentucky may get in trouble when teams can take advantage of its offensive line and put pressure on whomever starts at quarterback.

25. Texas A&M defense (No. 7, SEC West): Coordinator John Chavis and standout defensive end Myles Garrett should make for a good tandem. There are three or four other talented young players who should become assets for the defense in 2015. The pass rush should be pretty good. But overall, the unit lacks depth, isn’t very stout against the run and needs to play more physical and aggressive. It’s going to take another season or two before the defense resembles the units Chavis commanded in Baton Rouge.

26. Vanderbilt defense (No. 6, SEC East): The Commodores aren’t awful on defense, especially in the front seven. Adam Butler, Caleb Azubike and Stephen Weatherly could start for a lot of SEC teams. It’ll be interesting to gauge the impact of Derek Mason, head coach and now also defensive coordinator. This unit is sure to face a ton of pressure, especially if Vandy’s offense continues to flounder. The pass defense needs to get better, particularly at creating turnovers.

27. Kentucky defense (No. 7, SEC East): Gone are Bud Dupree and Za’Darius Smith. The team’s rush defense was pretty bad last season. Josh Forrest, Jason Hatcher and A.J. Stamps are plus players, but overall, the Wildcats defense is at a disadvantage at every level. Expect UK to be involved in several shootouts this year.

28. Vanderbilt offense (No. 7, SEC East): The Commodores’ offense probably ranked last in the SEC even before projected starting quarterback Patton Robinette retired. Ralph Webb is a decent running back and Darrius Sims is dynamic with the ball. But the line and quarterback are overmatched, and there aren’t any transcendent players like former receiver Jordan Matthews, now in the NFL.