A number of the SEC’s best teams in 2014 face major deficiencies heading into the offseason. Saturday Down South took a look at one for each of the SEC’s top 5 teams this year.
ALABAMA
Deficiency: Secondary
Breakdown: The Crimson Tide defense of 2014 didn’t hold up to the standard set by Nick Saban’s previous championship teams, but it wasn’t because the Tide couldn’t stop the run. Alabama boasted the SEC’s No. 1 run defense this season, but the conference’s No. 11 pass defense. It allowed more than 450 yards to Nick Marshall and Auburn in the Iron Bowl, and more than 250 yards to third-string quarterback Cardale Jones in the Sugar Bowl. The Tide must add reinforcements in the secondary in 2015 to shore up its defense once again.
GEORGIA
Deficiency: Quarterback
Breakdown: Hutson Mason was by no means a liability this season, but he was far from a playmaker at the quarterback position. Mason only threw for more than 200 yards once all season, and he only threw one touchdown pass in that game. The Dawgs quarterback outlook is an even bigger mystery heading into the offseason, and while Nick Chubb proved to be a star in the run game it would be unsettling to expect him to maintain his workload from 2014 for another full season. The Bulldogs must find their quarterback of the future next season to continue building back to SEC title contention.
MISSISSIPPI STATE
Deficiency: Defensive leadership
Breakdown: The Bulldogs are going to lose a lot of starters on the defensive side of the ball this offseason, and a defense that struggled down the stretch in 2014 could be vulnerable in 2015 without a steady leader as defensive coordinator. Mississippi State’s secondary allowed more big plays than any in the SEC this season, and the front seven was victimized by Georgia Tech’s triple option offense in the Orange Bowl. The Bulldogs hire to fill the DC vacancy could impact the program for the next handful of years, and its critical that they hit a home run.
MISSOURI
Deficiency: Passing game
Breakdown: The Tigers passing game held back an otherwise explosive rushing attack in 2014, and it was far from just Maty Mauk’s fault. Mizzou’s pass protection was suspect throughout the season, and Mauk developed happy feet and frequently grew uncomfortable in the pocket. Likewise, outside of Bud Sasser the Tigers lacked a consistent pass-catching threat. Jimmie Hunt was inconsistent, and Marcus Murphy was hit and miss as a receiver out of the backfield. Missouri’s offense needs to establish a threat through the air in 2015 as it restores its defense under Barry Odom and continues to develop Mauk as a passer.
OLE MISS
Deficiency: Running game
Breakdown: A lot has been made of quarterback Bo Wallace’s struggles this season, but the Rebels’ offense was held back by far more than just poor quarterback play. Wallace was set up with a number of obvious passing situations due to the one-dimensional nature of the Ole Miss offense, which only worsened his struggles throughout the year. The Rebels also allowed the second-most tackles for loss this season with 89 in 13 games. Ole Miss faces even greater issues at quarterback in 2015, and if it can’t find answers at tailback with Jordan Wilkins, Mark Dodson or someone else, Hugh Freeze’s offense is going to struggle.
A former newspaper reporter who has roamed the southeastern United States for years covering football and eating way too many barbecue ribs, if there is such a thing.
