The SEC East was a perfect 5-0 in bowl games to close the 2014 season. Here’s what we learned about every SEC East team following the bowl season.

RELATED: SEC bowl season helmet stickers

FLORIDA GATORS

Bowl result: Defeated East Carolina 28-20
What we learned: We learned a lot about the heart and the mental fortitude of Florida’s returning players from the way they approached and then won their bowl game against East Carolina last week. The Gators will be bringing in a new coaching staff and should have plenty of roster turnover in the form of graduating seniors, early entrants into the NFL Draft and potential transfers. The team looked nothing like many expect it to look at the start of next season, but rather than quitting on the season after a loss in the regular season finale, the Gators remained focused and hungry and defeated ECU thanks to one of its better performances this season. Those players that do return to Gainesville next season proved they care about their team and their university, and showed that recent disappointing seasons don’t mean they lack a desire to win games.

GEORGIA BULLDOGS

Bowl result: Defeated Louisville 37-14
What we learned: The Bulldogs proved to us their program still has plenty to look forward to in 2015 despite a disappointing regular season in 2014 featuring a string of poor losses that cost UGA a shot at a New Year’s Six bowl. The Bulldogs tore apart a ranked Louisville squad in the Belk Bowl and freshman Nick Chubb showed he can be the face of the program moving forward after amassing more than 200 yards against the nation’s No. 3 run defense. The Dawgs will return many of their best underclassmen next season and if they can find an adequate starting quarterback to replace Hutson Mason they should once again be considered title contenders in the SEC East.

KENTUCKY WILDCATS

Bowl result: N/A
What we learned: The Wildcats were one of two SEC teams that failed to earn bowl eligibility this season, but while other teams were preparing for bowl games the Wildcats brought in former West Virginia offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson to serve as their OC beginning next year. The move taught us Kentucky is committed to the Air Raid offense Neal Brown began installing two years ago, as both run the same offense as fellow disciples of Air Raid innovator coach Hal Mumme. The Cats had other options at they could have pursued, but their commitment to Dawson, a very deserving coach, is also a commitment to the Air Raid.

MISSOURI TIGERS

Bowl result: Defeated Minnesota 33-17
What we learned: The Tigers taught us the same lesson one final time before closing the book on the 2014 season — it’s not about how, but about how many. This essentially means winning ugly is okay as long as you win, and that’s exactly what Mizzou did all season. The Tigers rarely blew out opponents and were far from the flashiest team in the SEC, yet they won 11 games and the SEC East title for the second year in a row. Before pulling away late against Minnesota, the Tigers and Gophers struggled through an ugly first half in the Citrus Bowl, indicative of both their seasons this fall. Ultimately, Mizzou continued to win, and despite a perceived lack of talent entering next season there’s no reason to count out the Tigers come Week 1 of 2015.

SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS

Bowl result: Defeated Miami 24-21
What we learned: The Gamecocks showed us all why they have a chance to return to the top of the SEC East standings in 2015 — Pharoh Cooper. The sophomore wideout did a little bit of everything this season as a receiver, a passer, a runner and a kick returner, and he earned first-team All-SEC honors as a result. He was brilliant in the Independence Bowl, amassing 172 all-purpose yards including a 78-yard touchdown reception, and he has a chance to be one of the most dangerous weapons in the SEC next season if he can duplicate his bowl performance for 12 games. South Carolina faces serious questions on defense and at quarterback, but one thing it knows it can lean on next season is Cooper, as evidenced by the bowl victory.

TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS

Bowl result: Defeated Iowa 45-28
What we learned: Tennessee’s domination of Iowa in last weekend’s TaxSlayer Bowl showed the Vols are not only a team on the rise, but a team with a core of talent capable of winning the East as soon as next season. The division is wide open, but it could be argued Joshua Dobbs will be the best returning quarterback in the East next year, especially based on how he played in his first career bowl game. Freshman tailback Jalen Hurd also showed he has what it takes to carry an offense and take over a game, and a young Tennessee defense should continue to grow and develop as well. The bowl win taught us Butch Jones can do more than just attract talent to Knoxville — he can turn that talent into victories, and can do so in a hurry, too. If that trend continues, Tennessee will be a force to be reckoned with in the East once again.

VANDERBILT COMMODORES

Bowl result: N/A
What we learned: Like Kentucky, Vanderbilt did not take part in bowl season this winter, but it made a number of changes to its coaching staff following a disappointing 3-9 season. Among those changes was the addition of new offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig, who was officially announced on Monday just days after Wisconsin’s bowl win over Auburn (Ludwig served as the OC at Wisconsin the last two years). By hiring Ludwig, Vandy taught us it is committed to running the football effectively, as Ludwig’s offenses ranked in the top 10 in the nation in rushing each of the last two seasons. The most productive member of Vandy’s offense in 2014 was freshman tailback Ralph Webb, and he stands to gain plenty from Ludwig’s tutelage in the coming years.