The SEC East, in particular, saw some disappointing seasons from its schools, the majority of which didn’t even make a bowl game.

So which of those squads is ready to pick itself up and make the biggest step forward next season? Or will a team from the SEC West stake that claim?

Our staff debates which SEC team will see the largest increase in wins from 2015 to 2016.

WHICH TEAM WILL IMPROVE ITS WIN TOTAL THE MOST IN 2016?

Chris Wright (@FilmRoomEditor): South Carolina

Florida made the biggest improvement this season, winning three more games than in 2014. That seems like a pretty good target for 2016. A few teams have the room (most important) and ability (a close second) to make that jump next season.

South Carolina still has QB issues and is losing its best receiver, but it has the most room to improve. Hence, it has the best chance to improve by three or four wins — and we’ll know how realistic 7 wins are after it opens with consecutive road dates at Vanderbilt and Mississippi State.

Kentucky has a chance to win eight games, which would be a three-game improvement, but a cross-over game with Alabama doesn’t help.

Vanderbilt seems like a candidate, but it crosses over with Auburn and Ole Miss and gets a non-conference date with usually-tricky Georgia Tech (which, coincidentally, is the ACC’s best big-jump candidate).

I’d expect Auburn to chase 10 wins next season, again a three-game improvement.

Christopher Smith (@csmithSDS): Auburn

This is a difficult question when you consider that seven SEC teams won at least 9 games in 2015. None of those teams are likely to add 3 wins to their total during the 2016 season. Also, I can’t project Arkansas or Texas A&M to win 11, Kentucky to win 8, or Vanderbilt to win 7. So this was a process of elimination for me.

I think if Auburn gets even decent quarterback play it has a better chance to get to 10 wins — especially with the return of Carl Lawson — than Missouri has of winning 8 or South Carolina has of winning 6. But those are the most likely candidates to improve by 3 or more victories next season.

Talal Elmasry (@TalalElmasrySDS): South Carolina

For me, it came down to South Carolina and Missouri, who both have coaches debuting next season. However, the Gamecocks have more room to improve coming off a three-win season, and I like how aggressive Will Muschamp has been in recruiting as well as surrounding himself with assistants who are both familiar with him and have respect for him.

South Carolina has a lot of 2016 recruits to look forward to next season, including QB Brandon McIlwain, the third-best dual-threat QB in the class, as well as four-star receiver Bryan Edwards and four-star cornerback Jamarcus King. Outside of Clemson, the Gamecocks’ three non-conference games are winnable: East Carolina, UMass and Western Carolina. South Carolina may have ended 2015 on a five-game losing streak, but four of the five were decided by one possession, and the other one against Florida was decided late. I’m not thrilled about the Muschamp hire, but they’re my pick for this question.

Tom Brew (@tombrewsports): Tennessee

Well, since I’m firmly entrenched on the Tennessee bandwagon, I guess I’ll go all-in on the Volunteers. My colleagues are going with woeful 2015 underachievers to bounce back, but I don’t see an Auburn winning 10 games or a South Carolina even winning six next year.

Now, my starting point is already fairly high, because Tennessee finished the season on a six-game winning streak to get to nine wins. I’m thinking they can get to 12 next year — no, I’m not crazy — and here’s why.

I think they are the cream of the crop in the SEC East. They win all six of those games next year. Their nonconference is schedule is much easier, with Virginia Tech replacing Oklahoma and the others (Ohio, Appalachian State and Tennessee Tech) not a major threat. That’s 10. Their two SEC West games are at Texas A&M (a win) and Alabama at Neyland Stadium. I’m not going to go so far as call the Alabama upset yet, so even with a loss that’s an 11-1 season. Can they win a conference title game? Sure. Can they win a bowl game or a playoff game, or two? Sure.

So when the Vols get to 12 wins next year, remember where you heard it first. From that bald guy with his feet stapled to the floor of the Volunteers’ bandwagon.