On the heels of talking about the East, let’s take a look at the West defenses. Some of the best and worst of college football came from the West in 2016. So we’ll take a quick look back, and rank how the squads stack up for 2017 (along with a quick prediction as to whether they’ll be better or worse than last year). Here we go:

1. Alabama

2016 points allowed: 13.0 points per game, 1st in the SEC

Better or worse in 2017? Worse, but only slightly.

Sure, the Tide lose a lot of talent. Allen, Williams, Foster, Humphrey, etc. will be gone. But the beat just goes on, and there’s no reason to think 2017 will be different. Alabama allowed 13.0 points and 261.8 yards per game in 2016. Both of these stats would amaze at other schools, but at Bama, they’re just so-so in comparison with teams like 2011 (8.2 points and 184 yards per game).

One thing the Tide will try to improve on is pass defense. They were fourth in the SEC, allowing 197.9 yards per game and 15 touchdowns. From 2009 to 2013, Bama allowed 180 or less passing yards per game each season. But in the past few years, teams like Ole Miss and Clemson have troubled Bama in the air. If the Tide give up a few more yards or points, but can shut down passers when it matters, that’s a trade Nick Saban will take.

2. Auburn

2016 points allowed: 17.1 points per game, 4th in the SEC.

Better or worse in 2017? Better.

Before last year, Auburn’s best defensive totals in the 2010s were 24.1 points and 368 yards per game (2010). But the Tigers held offenses to 17.1 points and 361.9 yards per game. And get this, things could get even better. Auburn does lose Carl Lawson and Rudy Ford, but Marlon Davidson could become the best defensive player in the league.

Auburn was tough to run on in 2016, allowing 132.8 yards per game and holding opponents to 3.7 yards per carry. But the Tigers allowed 229 passing yards per game (ninth in the conference) and will have to shore up that aspect of their game to deserve the second spot in the West. Given the amount of young talent on board, we think they’ll do that.

3. LSU

2016 points allowed: 15.8 points per game, 2nd in the SEC.

Better or worse in 2017? Worse.

LSU loses so much on defense — Jamal Adams, Kendell Beckwith, Tre’Davious White, Davon Godchaux, possibly Arden Key. Many of the key players who made the Tigers so tough in 2016 will be wearing NFL uniforms. While there is plenty of depth, it’s hard to imagine LSU allowing under 16 points and 315 yards per game like it did last season. The Tigers were tough to run on, allowing 117.2 rushing yards per game and just 3.3 yards per carry. Those stats likely won’t hold up quite as well this coming season.

4. Texas A&M

2016 points allowed: 24.5 points per game, 7th in SEC.

Better or worse in 2017? Better.

Myles Garrett will take his talents on, but the Aggies didn’t get a great season from him in 2016. John Chavis has done a great job here, taking the defense from allowing 32 and 28 points per game in the two years before he came on board to 22 and 24 points in the past two seasons. The Aggies employed a bend-but-don’t-break style that caused them to finish 13th in the SEC in passing yards allowed (250 per game). If A&M can avoid a November swoon and return to 2015 numbers (22.0 points and 380 yards allowed per game) instead of 2016 numbers (24.5 points and 442 yards per game), they could surprise people in the West.

5. Arkansas

2016 points allowed: 31.1 points per game, 10th in the SEC.

Better or worse in 2017? Better.

Frankly, Arkansas has to get better. The Razorbacks in 2014 and 2015 allowed 19 and 27 points per game (and 323 and 392 yards per game). Last season they dropped off to allowing 427 yards per game and were 0.8 points away from being the 13th scoring defense in the SEC. They do lose some talent up front, but Arkansas will defend better, mainly because they have to, or Bret Bielema will be job hunting.

6. Mississippi State

2016 points allowed: 31.8 points per game, 13th in the SEC.

Better or worse in 2017? Better, apparently.

How could the defense get much worse for the Bulldogs? A Dan Mullen MSU team had not allowed more than 26.8 points or 424 yards per game, but last year, those numbers ballooned to 31.8 points and 459 yards. The Bulldogs lose a ton of players both up front and in the secondary, as well as star LB Richie Brown. The hire of Todd Grantham (late of Georgia and Louisville) as the new defensive coordinator doesn’t seem encouraging. State might deserve last place.

7. Ole Miss

2016 points allowed: 34.0 points per game, last in the SEC.

Better or worse in 2017? Can it get worse?

State would be last in the West except for Ole Miss, which was terrible defensively. Even Houston Nutt’s 2-10 team from 2011 allowed “just” 32.1 points and 419 yards per game. Hugh Freeze’s beleaguered charges surrendered an additional two points and 42 yards per game. The return of Marquis Haynes was good news, but the Rebels have the NCAA guillotine hanging over their heads and have already punted their bowl possibilities. On paper, this team doesn’t seem like it could get worse. But it might.