For the first time since 2011, no SEC team averaged more than 40 points on offense. As a new crop of young quarterbacks continue to develop, however, that is likely to change.

Several teams are poised to have successful offensive campaigns in 2017, while others might take a step back after key departures have left them searching for a new identity.

The makeup of each team will become much clearer after the spring and into the summer, but there are still some good indicators about which way each offense is trending.

Let’s take a look at whether each SEC offense will score more or fewer points this fall than it did in 2016.

Alabama

Last year’s PPG: 38.8

Projected 2017 PPG: Slightly lower

Alabama might be the hardest program to predict. On one hand, the Crimson Tide return an abundance of young talent who should benefit from last year’s experience. On the other hand, the Tide’s point total was aided by 15 non-offensive touchdowns; remove seven of those, and the Tide would have averaged 35.5, essentially its average in 2015. And Lane Kiffin is no longer calling the shots, and it remains to be seen how new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll will perform.

The Tide have the players to once again boast the SEC’s highest scoring team, but there is often a learning curve with first-year offensive coordinators.

Arkansas

Last year’s PPG: 30.3

Projected 2017 PPG: Slightly higher

The Razorbacks will need to find a way to replace the production of veteran receivers like Keon Hatcher and Jeremy Sprinkle, but the maturation of Austin Allen coupled with the return of Rawleigh Williams III and Devwah Whaley should help. Dan Skipper is gone, but that’s the only noticeable loss on the offensive line, which is a big positive.

Allen was one of the SEC’s biggest surprises last season. It’s logical to expect an increase in production in Year 2 as a starter. Ultimately, if Allen can have another good season and the running backs continue to be a big part of the offense, this unit could score a few more points in 2017.

Auburn

Last year’s PPG: 31.2

Projected 2017 PPG: Higher

There was no SEC offense more unbalanced than Auburn in 2016. The Tigers led the conference in rushing yards per game (271.31) but also had the fewest passing yards per contest (169.5). Transfer quarterback Jarrett Stidham is capable of fixing that, and if he does, Auburn should have one of the SEC’s top offenses.

Both Kamryn Pettway and Kerryon Johnson, who combined for more than 2,000 yards and 18 touchdowns, are back. A veteran offensive line should help open up plenty of holes for Auburn’s talented backs, and there are several dynamic receivers who could breakout with Stidham throwing the ball.

Florida

Last year’s PPG: 23.9

Projected 2017 PPG: Slightly higher

Until Florida finds consistency at quarterback, it will have trouble lighting up the scoreboard. Luke Del Rio will miss spring practice as he recovers from a shoulder injury, leaving Feleipe Franks and Kyle Trask to battle it out, with incoming freshman Jake Allen also factoring into the mix this summer. The Gators have talent, but they won’t be able to do much until a quarterback emerges.

Outside of quarterback, Florida has a nice stable of backs returning, and junior Jordan Scarlett should be the top dog after a strong finish to his sophomore year. The Gators have a talented trio of receivers in Antonio Callaway, Brandon Powell and Tyrie Cleveland, and they will benefit from getting Dre Massey back from injury. Still, these pieces won’t mean much if the quarterback position is in flux once again.

Georgia

Last year’s PPG: 24.5

Projected 2017 PPG: Higher

Georgia’s offense was very much a work in progress last season. With a true freshman quarterback, an often-overmatched offensive line and a receiver corps that couldn’t hold onto the ball, the Bulldogs never really developed an identity. That should change in 2017.

Jacob Eason is now in his second season, and he will get some needed preseason competition from incoming quarterback Jake Fromm. The receiving corps was a major area of importance on the recruiting trail, and the returning players should take a step forward, despite the loss of Isaiah McKenzie. Georgia’s line must improve, but there are several big bodies for the coaching staff to work with. Oh, and Nick Chubb and Sony Michel are back for a final year in Athens. This offense has some serious potential firepower, but it’s up to Kirby Smart and his staff to get the most out of it.

Kentucky

Last year’s PPG: 30.0

Projected 2017 PPG: Slightly lower

Led by a dynamic and potent rushing attack, Kentucky was in the SEC East mix heading into the final stretch of the season. The Wildcats are losing Stanley “Boom” Williams to the NFL Draft, but Benny Snell is back to improve on his stellar freshman debut. It remains to be seen if Snell can carry the load as a full-time starter, however, but he set two school rushing records for a freshman with 1,091 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Stephen Johnson likely will remain the team’s starting quarterback if Drew Barker isn’t fully healed from his November back surgery. He will need to improve his throwing ability but should benefit from the return of Dorian Baker and Garrett Johnson at receiver. The loss of Jon Toth at center shouldn’t be overlooked. He was a major part of the Wildcats’ success on the ground in 2016, and his departure could mean a small step back this season.

LSU

Last year’s PPG: 28.3

Projected 2017 PPG: Higher

LSU fans’ complaints about the offense under Les Miles were justified. The Tigers averaged just 21 points in the four games before Miles was fired last season, compared to the 32 after Ed Orgeron took over.

Matt Canada is the new offensive coordinator, and he helped Pittsburgh score a school-record 42.3 points per game in 2016. Leonard Fournette is gone, but Derrius Guice led the SEC in rushing and is one of the best backs in the country. A quarterback competition is very much underway at LSU, but veteran Danny Etling has the inside track at this point. There will be a couple moves along the offensive line, but Canada’s offense will likely lead to a lot more points.

Mississippi State

Last year’s PPG: 30.4

Projected 2017 PPG: Slightly higher

After averaging just 27.7 points in Dak Prescott’s sophomore season, Mississippi State made a big jump and scored 36.9 in the quarterback’s junior year. Now entering Nick Fitzgerald’s junior season, are the Bulldogs poised to make a similar step forward?

If that’s going to happen, Mississippi State needs to get better on the line. Dan Mullen signed five big offensive linemen in the 2017 class, which is a good start. The Bulldogs will also need to replace Fred Ross’ whopping 12 touchdowns from last season. That’s no easy task. Still, as Fitzgerald improves as a passer, he should be able to distribute the ball more evenly. Aeris Williams leads a solid group of running backs that will get even better with the addition of freshman Kylin Hill.

Missouri

Last year’s PPG: 31.4

Projected 2017 PPG: Higher

Missouri enjoyed an offensive explosion in 2016, more than doubling its 2015 output (13.6). Drew Lock will return after his breakout sophomore campaign, and he won’t be alone, giving the Tigers a lot of reason for optimism this fall.

All four of their leading receivers are back, including J’Mon Moore, who finished second in the SEC with 1,012 yards and added eight touchdowns last season. Damarea Crockett will return after his 1,000-yard freshman campaign, giving Missouri’s offense balance. The Tigers will also bring back a very experienced line, which allowed a conference-low 14 sacks in 2016.

Ole Miss

Last year’s PPG: 32.6

Projected 2017 PPG: Lower

Shea Patterson flashed his exciting potential in his debut, but he likely won’t be as effective as Chad Kelly in his first season as the full-time starter. That’s not a knock on Patterson, just a recognition of the learning curve that comes with the position and Kelly’s performance over the past two years.

Patterson will work with new offensive coordinator Phil Longo, who engineered one of the best offenses at the FCS level in recent seasons. The loss of Evan Engram, Damore’ea Stringfellow and Quincy Adeboyejo will hurt, but Van Jefferson can partially soften that blow if he continues to improve. Eugene Brazley is the only returning running back who gained over 100 yards last season (Patterson rushed for 169), although a healthy Eric Swinney should be an impact player at the position. Ole Miss seems likely to take a step back this fall but rebound in 2018 as key players gain more experience.

South Carolina

Last year’s PPG: 20.8

Projected 2017 PPG: Higher

Once Jake Bentley took over at quarterback, the Gamecocks averaged 26.5 points after scoring just 14 points per game without Bentley. That’s a change that bodes well for 2017 and beyond.

Believe it or not, the Gamecocks could actually have one of the SEC’s most explosive offenses if things go according to plan. The backfield appears to be in good shape with Rico Dowdle, Ty’Son Williams and A.J. Turner ready to go at running back. South Carolina’s receiving corps could be very dangerous with Deebo Samuel, Bryan Edwards, OrTre Smith and Shi Smith providing a lot of playmaking ability. Returning tight end Hayden Hurst might be one of the best in the country at his position, and the line is returning largely intact.

Tennessee

Last year’s PPG: 36.4

Projected 2017 PPG: Lower

Joshua Dobbs is gone, and Tennessee now has to figure out how to replace the record-setting quarterback. Quinten Dormady and Jarrett Guarantano are the two primary candidates for the starting job, but neither has experience. Dormady has thrown 39 career passes and Guarantano redshirted last season.

Dobbs isn’t the only starter on the way out. Alvin Kamara and Jalen Hurd are gone, but John Kelly will return as the team’s probably starting running back. Leading receiver Josh Malone left early for the NFL, leaving Jauan Jennings as the team’s top target. The line was a major problem at times in 2016, but the group returns with largely intact and with that additional experience. Tennessee’s offense was the second-best scoring unit in the SEC last year. With so many new pieces, including OC Larry Scott, it’s unreasonable to expect similar production this fall.

Texas A&M

Last year’s PPG: 34.8

Projected 2017 PPG: Lower

Texas A&M is in an interesting situation. The Aggies have some seriously talented players in Christian Kirk and Trayveon Williams, but they will likely enter the season with a quarterback who has never taken a snap in college.

Kellen Mond and Nick Starkel figure to get the most chances to earn the starting job, but rising senior Jake Hubenak could be the man if the coaches want a veteran option. Josh Reynolds, Ricky Seals-Jones and Speedy Noil are gone, but incoming freshman Jhamon Ausbon was a teammate of Mond in high school and could see the field early. The interior of Texas A&M’s offensive line will return in 2017, but the Aggies need to replaced their two tackles.

Vanderbilt

Last year’s PPG: 23.0

Projected 2017 PPG: Higher

Vanderbilt needs quarterback Kyle Shurmur to take the next step in his maturation. Eighteen SEC QBs threw at least 100 passes last season, and Shurmur was the only one with more INTs (10) than touchdowns (9).

The rising junior ended the season playing some of his best football – bowl game, excluded – but he must continue that level of play to help the Commodores offense improve.

Luckily, Shurmur will have one of the SEC’s best running backs joining him in the backfield. Ralph Webb is back for his senior year and likely will become the eighth SEC back to finish with 4,000 or more career yards. He’s the team’s best offensive weapon, but Vanderbilt also returns a veteran receiving corps, including breakout candidate Kalija Lipscomb.