Which teams will lead the SEC in passing this season?

Start by looking at each team’s offensive philosophy and go from there. Texas A&M returns a quarterback who most consider to be one of the league’s Top 5 at the position in a pass-friendly scheme while Mississippi State will unleash its Heisman candidate, Dak Prescott, on opposing defenses without mercy.

Projecting other teams’ production through the air is a bit more challenging to an extent, but putting stock in recent trends and taking into consideration offensive personnel makes the job a bit easier.

Editor’s Note: A team’s passing production projection is based on the team’s total yards through the air — from starters to second, and sometimes, third-teamers. These figures will not necessarily reflect the order of our individual quarterback projections released shortly after spring practice ended.

The SEC’s five best passing offenses in 2015 will be …

5. Kentucky Wildcats

Preferred combo: QB Patrick Towles to WR Ryan Timmons
Underrated weapon: RB Jojo Kemp
Projected production: 2,997 yards, 28 TDs

Why it’s deadly: Tough call here with several teams in contention for the No. 5 spot, but we expect Kentucky’s Air Raid under first-year play caller Shannon Dawson to exceed expectations and flourish under a slightly revised philosophy. Dawson worked closely with Towles, Drew Baker and his group of receivers during spring to teach concepts and timing in his quick-strike scheme. Sophomore wideout Garrett Johnson is the wild-card. He caught six passes for 154 yards and two touchdowns against Florida, but only managed 16 receptions for 117 yards in 10 other games, combined. Boom Williams provides the thunder in the backfield, but Jojo Kemp’s the guy, if properly utilized, who could be a gamebreaker from a receiving standpoint in the screen game.

4. Alabama Crimson Tide

Preferred combo: QB Jacob Coker to WR Robert Foster
Underrated weapon: RB Kenyan Drake
Projected production: 3,210 yards, 29 TDs

Why it’s deadly: Out of respect for Lane Kiffin and what he was able to accomplish with Alabama’s passing game last season despite a first-year (who turned out to be great) quarterback, it’s safe to assume the Crimson Tide will be productive down the field this fall. Yes the Crimson Tide lost the Biletnikoff winner and most prolific receiver in program history, but there’s talent at the position. If Alabama gets any production out of tight end O.J. Howard, expect the offense — despite its lingering questions under center — to be one of the league’s most complete.

3. Auburn Tigers

Preferred combo: QB Jeremy Johnson to WR Duke Williams
Underrated weapon: WR Ricardo Louis
Projected production: 3,399 yards, 30 TDs

Why it’s deadly: Folks close to the program feel something special is brewing on the Plains this season thanks to Johnson, a junior first-year starter who has patiently waited his turn in Gus Malzahn’s impressive attack. Johnson can beat the opposition with his feet, but his arm is what really has scouts paying attention and the reason the Tigers expect to be considerably better through the air this fall. He has an All-American caliber No. 1 as a safety blanket on the outside and several weapons underneath, including Louis, to surpass the 3,000-yard total — the first time that’s been done since single-season record holder and current assistant Dameyune Craig in 1997.

2. Mississippi State

Preferred combo: QB Dak Prescott to WR De’Runnya Wilson
Underrated weapon: ATH Malik Dear
Projected production: 4,088 yards, 34 TDs

Why it’s deadly: It doesn’t take a talent scout to notice the improvement Prescott’s made in his game, specifically as a passer, since the end of his junior season. Nearly flawless throughout spring, the SEC’s top returning quarterback has matured from the pocket and thanks to the league’s most underrated backfield and an emphasis on showcasing his game to NFL scouts, won’t be over-worked from a rushing standpoint. It’s important to note that all four of Mississippi State’s running backs competing for the lion’s share of carries this season are also receiving threats as well. By the time fall practice is over, multi-position athlete Brandon Holloway may have moved to the outside full-time be default to make room for redshirt freshmen ballcarriers Dontavian Lee and Ashton Shumpert.

1. Texas A&M Aggies

Preferred combo: QB Kyle Allen to WR Josh Reynolds
Underrated weapon: WR Speedy Noil
Projected production overall: 4,280 yards, 37 TDs

Why it’s deadly: Kevin Sumlin and Jake Spavital are salivating at the possibilities on an offense this season led by returning quarterback Kyle Allen, one of the SEC’s top performers at the position during the second half of the 2014 campaign. He should put up the league’s most impressive numbers at the position this fall, thanks to a plethora of returning weapons along with the arrival of Christian Kirk, a speedster in the slot alongside Noil. The Aggies also have a future all-league caliber stud backing up Allen in five-star Kyler Murray, an athlete who skipped the MLB draft to throw it around in College Station.

Just missed the cut: Tennessee, Ole Miss