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Which SEC teams will benefit the most from practice this month?
Here’s five:
5. Georgia — First-year coordinator Brian Schottenheimer will try and convey this is Brice Ramsey’s offense in March, giving him first-team reps to hopefully spark a confidence boost for the first-year starter pinpointed to help the Bulldogs dethrone Mizzou in the East. Most important for Ramsey is developing relationships with spotlight receivers and offensive linemen that he can carry over into fall. A subpar spring is often fatal for quarterbacks still fighting through the developmental stages. Mark Richt hopes Ramsey accepts the challenge of a leadership role with open arms.
4. Mississippi State — Can Dan Mullen and the Bulldogs stay afloat as now a respected team in college football’s most competitive division? Three wins over Top 10 teams catapulted the Fighting Dak Prescotts all the way to No. 1 last season, dispelling previous misfortunes against the elite during Mullen’s previous five seasons. Most importantly, it was the program’s fifth consecutive winning season and first 10-victory campaign since 1999. Prescott and De’Runnya Wilson are back as headliners of a potent offense in need of help from Manny Diaz’s defense. Who will emerge in several spots on that side of the ball is something to watch for this month.
3. South Carolina — Steve Spurrier says he has a few seasons left in the tank and even joined Twitter on Monday to express his eagerness to begin his 11th spring practice in Columbia. It’s perhaps his most important coming off a disappointing 7-6 campaign that nearly caused him to take off the visor one final time. The quarterback battle is an obvious issue, but how Jon Hoke handles South Carolina’s defense is the most intriguing spring storyline. With Lorenzo Ward being relegated to pass defense as a co-coordinator, Hoke’s handling of the Gamecocks’ front seven will be under the microscope.
2. Auburn — Expectations are exceedingly high on the Plains thanks to Will Muschamp’s offseason arrival, a hire expected to rejuvenate Auburn’s defense. The Tigers’ pass rush fell flat last season — 21 sacks in 13 games — and without it, Muschamp’s unit will suffer from front to back. Welcoming back two veteran linebackers along with end Carl Lawson provides a much-needed boost along with top five-star signee Byron Cowart, but consistency is paramount. The puppeteer during spring ball, watching Muschamp instruct players on his philosophy should be exciting along with the progression of projected junior starting quarterback Jeremy Johnson.
1. Texas A&M — The SEC’s worst defense back-to-back years has nowhere to go but up under new coordinator John Chavis, a crafty veteran who will put his best collection of 11 in position to make plays this fall. We still don’t know who the Aggies are going to be in the SEC — a team with poise and grit or one with lots of spark and little to no sizzle? Texas A&M has won just seven of its last 16 league contests and regressed last season following a 5-0 start. Kyle Allen and Jake Spavital’s offense should be fine, but it’s a defense led by skilled sophomore pass rusher Myles Garrett that will determine this team’s fate. Spring is the perfect time to learn scheme along with plugging in players to see who fits defensively into certain packages and situations. Can the Aggies handle the scrutiny sure to come their way in what will be a must-win year in College Station?
