The SEC boasts elite pass rushers year in, and year out. And while players like Jadeveon Clowney, Dee Ford and Dominique Easley, among others, departed for the NFL Draft, elite pass rushers have emerged once again in this conference nearly six weeks into the season.

However, being able to have a duo of premier pass rushers on one defense is always of great advantage to SEC defenses. With so many great pairs in 2014, which duos have emerged as the best in this conference?

5) Amarlo Herrera and Jordan Jenkins – Georgia

With the arrival of Jeremy Pruitt as Georgia’s new defensive coordinator, hopes were high that Pruitt’s 3-4 system would play to the strength of Georgia’s defense – the linebackers. So far this season, it’s been the UGA linebackers that have stood out the most, particularly Amarlo Herrera and Jordan Jenkins. These two have combined for 5.5 sacks and 9.0 tackles for loss. Fortunately for the Bulldogs, the success in the pass rush has been spread around the defense. Guys like Leonard Floyd and Ramik Wilson have also been wreaking havoc in opposing backfields and 15 different players have recorded a tackle for loss.

There’s no question that Pruitt’s defense will dial up the blitz more often than not and Herrera and Jenkins have the biggest benefactors of the new system at Georgia.

4) Preston Smith and Benardrick McKinney -Mississippi State

Preston Smith has been arguably the best defensive lineman in the SEC this season. He’s a three-time SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week winner already in 2014 and has been the anchor of the Bulldogs’ ferocious defensive line. Alongside Smith on the defense is linebacker Benardrick McKinney, who leads Mississippi State with 27 tackles and will probably be an early round selection in the NFL Draft this season. Together, they form one of the best pass rushing duos in the conference, tallying five sacks and 10 tackles for loss. Smith has also made a significant impact in other areas as well, blocking two kicks, forcing one fumble, intercepting two passes and racking up three quarterback hurries.

3) Taiwan Johnson and Trey Flowers – Arkansas

The story surrounding Arkansas this season has been the ground game, but quietly they have developed a very talented group of defensive lineman, most noticeably senior Trey Flowers and sophomore Taiwan Johnson. Coming into the season, Flowers was looked upon as one of the more dominant defensive ends in the SEC. He turned down the NFL Draft as a junior to come back and improve the Arkansas program before leaving to play on Sundays. His season has gotten off to a slower start in the sacks department, but the SEC’s active career sacks leader still a top priority for opposing offensive lines. He’s broken up three passes and has been a constant presence in the backfield. As for Johnson, the sophomore has come on strong in his second year, racking up 3.5 sacks and five tackles for loss. He got off to a hot start at the beginning of the season and has cooled off somewhat, but Johnson remains a vital part of the Razorbacks’ defensive line.

2) Myles Garrett and Shaan Washington -Texas A&M

The sky is the limit for Texas A&M’s premier pass rushing duo. True freshman Myles Garrett has exploded onto the college football scene, trailing only Shane Ray for the SEC lead in sacks and tackles for loss. Perhaps what’s most impressive about Garrett is his consistency as he’s recorded a tackle for loss in every game but one this season. His unique blend of size, speed and strength is virtually unmatched at his position in the SEC. Linebacker Shaan Washington is also a very disruptive pass rusher for the Aggies. Washington’s season was delayed due to a collarbone injury, but since returning two weeks ago, he’s recorded 10 tackles, two sacks and a quarterback hurry. His numbers should increase as he continues to play a significant role in the Aggies’ pass rushing schemes.

1) Markus Golden and Shane Ray -Missouri

As great as these other pass rushing duos are on this list, none come close to the tenacity and consistency of Missouri’s Markus Golden and Shane Ray. Manning both defensive end positions for the Tigers, Golden and Ray have been absolute beasts this season. Ray in particular has been arguably the most impressive lineman in all of college football. Aside from causing his NFL Draft stock to skyrocket, Ray has been terrorizing opposing quarterbacks. He leads the SEC in sacks (7.0) and tackles for loss (11.5). Golden’s impact has been somewhat minimized thanks to an injury, but the senior defensive end was near the tops nationally in both sacks and tackles for loss before missing some time. They are no doubt, however, Missouri’s top defensive playmakers. Perhaps even, the biggest playmakers on the entire squad.