Since Nick Saban’s arrival, Alabama has dominated the SEC West. The Crimson Tide have represented the division in Atlanta six times in that span, including the past three years, but they have lost a lot of experience on defense and might be somewhat vulnerable in 2017.

Can anybody knock Alabama off its perch?

Each SEC West program has at least one potentially fatal flaw that could keep them from making it to Atlanta. The ones capable of diminishing or overcoming that flaw will separate themselves as contenders next fall.

Alabama: Pass rush

Time and again, Alabama has proven it can reload unlike any other team and cover nearly any flaw. Doing so this year, however, will be difficult. The Crimson Tide led the nation with 54 sacks last season, but they are losing the players who produced 37 of those sacks. Linebacker Rashaan Evans (pictured), who had four sacks in 2016, is the team’s top returning pass rusher.

Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Rashaan Evans (32) sacks Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during the third quarter in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

The bulk of Alabama’s devastating pass rush is gone, and while there is still a large amount of talent, it’s not easy to replace that level of experience.

Arkansas: Run defense

Under Bret Bielema, Arkansas’ run defense has held up fairly well. In 2016, however, things bottomed out, and the Razorbacks allowed more than 205 yards per game — almost 90 more than in 2015. Defensive backs coach Paul Rhoads was promoted to defensive coordinator this offseason after Robb Smith left to take the same position at Minnesota. The Razorbacks will transition to a 3-4 defense, and while they have some players who fit into that scheme, it might take some time to get everything running smoothly. With all of the talented running backs they’ll face in the SEC, the run defense might remain a major problem.

Auburn: Pass rush

This is one of Gus Malzahn’s most complete teams at Auburn. The Tigers have a slew of talented players on offense and proven veterans on defense. The biggest offseason losses came along the defensive line with Carl Lawson and Montravius Adams. Even with them, Auburn only had 25.0 sacks last season — tied for eighth in the SEC. There are several linemen who could help fill the void, including Marlon Davidson and Jeff Holland. If things don’t go according to plan, however, the pass rush could become a problem for Auburn.

LSU: Departures in the front seven

Dave Aranda’s first season as LSU’s defensive coordinator was a big success. The Tigers were among the top defenses in nearly every major statistic and limited Alabama’s SEC-best scoring offense to a season-low 10 points. Aranda has a challenge ahead, however. Replacing linebackers Kendell Beckwith and Duke Riley won’t be easy, and Davon Godchaux was a force at nose tackle. The loss of safety Jamal Adams will hurt, but LSU is better equipped in the secondary than it is up front.

Mississippi State: Cohesion of a new defense

The Bulldogs have one of the top offensive weapons in the SEC in quarterback Nick Fitzgerald. He should be surrounded by enough complementary pieces to keep scoring. (Despite all of the anxiety about losing Dak Prescott, the Bulldogs averaged 30.4 points per game in 2016, just four fewer than 2015.)

In a move to help his program become competitive again sooner rather than later, Dan Mullen invested heavily in the JUCO market. The Bulldogs have seven incoming defensive players from the JUCO ranks for new defensive coordinator Todd Grantham to work with. If everything goes according to plan, the new-look defense could bring immediate improvement over last season, when the Bulldogs allowed 31.8 points per game — 13th in the SEC. Things that look good on paper don’t always pan out, however, and if these new pieces don’t fit correctly, the Bulldogs could be in for a repeat of 2016.

Ole Miss: Run defense

Looking past the school’s self-imposed bowl ban, which would prevent Ole Miss from playing in the SEC championship game, the Rebels have to find a way to fix their run defense. Ole Miss finished last in the SEC last season against the run and allowed nearly 250 yards per game. They were fourth in 2015, allowing a stingy 127 yards per game.

New coordinator Wesley McGriff was brought in to help alleviate that problem, and he will transition to a more traditional 4-3 scheme. There is some young talent on the way that should provide some good depth, but this likely won’t be a quick fix.

Texas A&M: Replacing key starters

Kevin Sumlin has recruited well at Texas A&M, and he often has a succession plan in place when he loses a starter. The Aggies lost several important pieces from last season, however, and it will be hard to replace all of those in one offseason.

Offensively, Texas A&M will have a new quarterback, new receivers around Christian Kirk and two new offensive linemen. On defense, the Aggies must find a way to lessen the losses of Myles Garrett and Justin Evans, among others.