There’s something “new” about nearly every SEC team in 2018. Whether it’s a new head coach or coordinator or quarterback or running back, almost every team entered spring with a “change” themed story line. It’s a new year, but plenty of teams will be using stats from 2017 as examples and goals.

Here’s one stat every SEC team would like to replicate in 2018:

Alabama – 11.9 points per game allowed

There are plenty of team stats the Crimson Tide would love to repeat from 2017. After all, Nick Saban’s squad won their fifth national title on his watch. In nearly every important stat category one can think of, Alabama is near or at the top. Of all the stats, perhaps allowing only 11.9 points per game is the one the Tide would most like to repeat. It’s one of those stats that truly speaks for itself.

Last season’s defensive coordinator, Jeremy Pruitt, is now the head coach at Tennessee, but Saban’s defenses have a tendency of being elite no matter who’s the coordinator.

Arkansas – 75 percent red-zone touchdown percentage

Razorback Nation is understandably ready to put the Bret Bielema era in the rearview and move forward under Chad Morris. The Hogs, however, did a few things right in Bielema’s final season. Morris would love to see his squad score touchdowns on 75 percent of its red zone visits this season. The Razorbacks were second-best in the SEC last season at scoring six points from inside the 20-yard line.

Auburn – 27 plays of 40-plus yards

In the first year under offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey, Auburn showed impressive big-play capability. The Tigers were No. 5 in the conference in plays of 10 yards or more, but as the yardage went up, so did AU’s rank. Auburn was No. 1 in the conference in number of plays of 40-plus yards (27). Quarterback Jarrett Stidham is back and surrounded by many of the same talented wide receivers in 2018, making it certainly possible that the Tigers can replicate the stat.

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Florida – 14 interceptions

The Gators struggled on defense in 2017, but DBU still produced plenty of picks. Florida finished tied for No. 2 in the SEC with 14 interceptions. The number is even more impressive when one considers UF did it while playing only 11 games due to Hurricane Irma and failing to achieve bowl eligibility. Cornerbacks Duke Dawson and CJ Henderson led the way with four picks each. Dawson is moving onto the NFL after graduating, but Henderson is back for his sophomore season.

Georgia – 258.4 yards of rushing offense per game

UGA’s potent ground attack played a big part in taking the Bulldogs to the national championship game. Georgia used five running backs, but Nick Chubb and Sony Michel were responsible for the bulk of the production (177.31 yards per game). With Chubb and Michel off to the NFL, Georgia will look to D’Andre Swift, Elijah Holyfield and Brian Herrien in larger roles. Freshman Zamir White, once recovered from his ACL tear, will get his share of touches as well. If the Dawgs can manage to get more than 250 rushing yards per game, they’ll be in great shape again this fall.

Kentucky – Benny Snell Jr. rushes for 1,333 yards

As a team, Kentucky was spectacularly mediocre in 2017. The Wildcats, a 7-6 squad that went bowling and finished third in the SEC East, could often be found somewhere in the range of Nos. 8-10 in most important offensive and defensive team stats. Those aren’t the type of stats teams aim to replicate, but Snell’s individual performance of 1,333 rushing yards is something coach Mark Stoops and company would love to see happen again. Snell is trying to rush for 1,000 yards for the third consecutive year.

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LSU – 76 passes defended

In interceptions alone, LSU tied for fifth in the SEC with 12 picks. In overall passes defended, however, LSU ranked No. 2 in the SEC with 76. While other teams had a couple more interceptions than the Tigers, only the Crimson Tide’s secondary proved better at pass breakups. LSU’s 64 pass breakups and 76 passes defended made for an impressive season, setting the bar high for 2018.

Mississippi State – Third-down percentage

The Bulldogs get a two-fer. Last season, Mississippi State led the SEC in third-down percentage on offense and defense. MSU was best at converting third downs on offense (46.2 percent) and stopping its opponents from converting third down on defense (30.4 percent).

In Starkville, the head coach and both coordinators have changed. New coach Joe Moorhead would certainly love to see both of his units win their third-down battles. There are few things a head coach loves more than seeing his offense keep a drive alive and his defense get off the field.

Missouri – 103 tackles for loss

Mizzou was an interesting team to consider for the premise of this article. The Tigers had a high-powered offense in 2017, scoring an SEC-leading 37.5 points per game. Drew Lock set an SEC record with 44 touchdown passes. The Tigers obviously would love to repeat either number. MU was also last in average of possession (25:01.31). Critics of Josh Heupel’s offense believe that the offense, while productive, moved too fast and did not give the defense enough rest. Heupel is now head coach at UCF and Derek Dooley is Missouri’s offensive coordinator. Judging by that hire, it does not look like Mizzou is trying to replicate the Heupel offense in 2018.

Which brings us to the Missouri defense. The Tigers led the SEC with an impressive 103 tackles for loss last season. MU’s 13 game total manages to beat out Alabama’s total of 101 (14 games) and Georgia’s 93 (15 games). DLU would love to replicate that stat in 2018.

Ole Miss – 328.4 passing yards per game

Last season, Ole Miss had the most potent passing attack in the SEC at 328.4 passing yards per game. This season, the Rebels are about to find out who deserves the credit: the play-caller or the quarterback.

Last year’s starting quarterback, Shea Patterson, has transferred to Michigan, but offensive coordinator Phil Longo is back for his second season. This year, Longo’s starting quarterback will be Jordan Ta’amu. If the Rebels can get 328.4 passing yards per game from Ta’amu, they’ll be in business.

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South Carolina – 38 penalty yards per game

Will Muschamp’s squad is disciplined. If you watched Florida from 2011-14, you might have fallen out of your chair in disbelief reading that last sentence, but it was true in 2017. The Gamecocks averaged 38 penalty yards per game, which was lowest in the SEC. While Muschamp’s Gators were often worst in the conference when it came to penalties, Coach Boom appears to have figured out how to keep his team from drawing excessive flags. Fewer self-inflicted wounds makes it easier to overcome the adversity on the field.

Tennessee – 15 forced fumbles

Last season was a forgettable year in many ways for the Volunteers and the stats reflect that. Butch Jones’ Champions of Life can be found near the bottom of many important offensive and defensive categories. In fact, the Vols were so bad at some things it made them look deceptively good at others.

At first glance of the SEC stats, Tennessee’s pass defense numbers look impressive. UT gave up 161.7 passing yards per game, which ranks No. 1 in the SEC. Dig a little deeper and one will find it’s not a stat the Vols want to replicate in 2018. Since teams were running the ball an average 46.25 times per game for 251.25 yards on UT’s defense, opponents simply weren’t bothering to throw the ball. Tennessee’s opponents averaged an SEC-low 23.3 passes per game, hence the lack of passing yardage.

One legitimate stat for Pruitt’s squad to aim to replicate is 15 forced fumbles. UT was one of three SEC teams to post an average higher than one forced fumble per game.

Texas A&M – 43 sacks

Not many people expected Texas A&M’s sacks to go up after the departure of No. 1 draft pick Myles Garrett, but that’s how things worked out. The Aggies recorded 43 sacks to finish No. 1 in the conference in 2017, up from 39 sacks in 2016. It should come as no surprise that the 2017 squad featured one of the conference’s individual sack leaders, Landis Durham (10.5).

As part of the coaching change, the Aggies have a new defensive coordinator. One can expect Mike Elko will allow Durham and company to do what they do best and get to opposing quarterbacks.

Vanderbilt – 52 tackles for loss allowed

The Commodores did a good job of avoiding negative plays in 2017. Tackles for loss allowed isn’t a stat that gets much attention, but Vanderbilt came in at No. 2 in the SEC with 52 allowed, behind only Missouri (37). Coinciding with this stat is 19 sacks allowed, which is No. 3 in the SEC. Both stats are indicative of a well-coached offensive line. They are stats certainly worth trying to replicate in 2018.