‘Hit somebody!’

Dating back to Pop Warner days, a coaching staff’s favorite phrase on defense is engrained at a young age, simple instructions designed to thwart the opposition’s forward progress.

For multiple SEC teams this season, the elementary art of tackling’s non-existent, a combination of bad angles ill-timed shoulder heaves. It’s been that way for several years across college football during the era of spread offenses, schemes designed to put playmakers in the open field in 1-on-1 situations.

When fundamentals lack, productions suffers and Texas A&M along with South Carolina and Kentucky are among the nation’s worst. Even Mississippi State, despite its 9-1 record and No. 4 ranking in the latest Playoff poll, has had its share of struggles on defense.

Texas A&M (445.2 yards allowed per game, 102nd nationally)

Kevin Sumlin will never have an elite program in College Station unless his defense gets its act together. Last season, the Aggies ranked last in the SEC at a horrific 475.8 yards per game and despite the addition of a handful of instant contributors as freshmen, similar problems persist.

The secondary’s often caught sleeping in coverage and strength lacks at the point of attack. Texas A&M’s linebackers, a position of weakness since Von Miller’s exit after the 2010, haven’t produced either. Defensive coordinator Mark Snyder was put on alert last season thanks to his unit’s gut-wrenching holes, but he’s done nothing to help his case.

A 59-0 loss at Alabama last month may have been the clincher.

Veteran defensive back Deshazor Everett recently took to Twitter to defend his coach and place blame on himself and teammates:

Recently fired Florida coach Will Muschamp, a former defensive coordinator at Texas who has led a staunch Gators defense during his time in Gainesville, is said to be on several teams’ short list as a defensive assistant including the Aggies.

  • Opponents’ plays of 10 or more yards: 163
  • Rushing defense: 208.9 YPG, 22 TD
  • Turnover margin: minus-6
  • Opponents’ points per game: 27.7

South Carolina (442.3 yards allowed per game, 100th)

Thanks to statistical proof and an underwhelming 5-5 record, most would agree the Gamecocks have the SEC’s worst defense this season. Replacing several starters, including All-Americans Jadeveon Clowney and Kelcy Quarles up front, has proved too much to overcome for third-year coordinator Lorenzo Ward.

South Carolina’s 124th nationally in total sacks (9.0) and haven’t generated any consistent pressure this season. By comparison, Mississippi State and Texas A&M rank first and third in the SEC respectively in the category despite their obvious deficiencies elsewhere on defense.

The Gamecocks’ lack of push up front, evidenced by an embarrassing 18 fewer tackles-for-loss than their nearest league competitor, has led to big plays down field and several huge outings from opposing quarterbacks both through the air and on the ground. The front seven’s been the butt of most defensive jokes this season:

Ward’s shouldered much of the blame including three double-digit blown leads in the fourth quarter, but his players have been in position to tackle and have failed. South Carolina unofficially led the SEC in missed tackles during the first half and have struggled to generate takeaways throughout.

  • Opponents’ plays of 10 or more yards: 163
  • Rushing defense: 222.9 YPG, 25 total TD (last in SEC)
  • Turnover margin: minus-4
  • Opponents’ points per game: 32.7 (last in SEC)

Kentucky (401.0 yards allowed per game, 72nd)

It looked as if one of the league’s most dreadful defenses over the last several seasons had improved mightily during Year 2 under Mark Stoops … until the season’s midway point. Since starting 5-1, Kentucky’s giving up a league-worst 43.8 points per game and has been manhandled in the trenches, floundering with five consecutive losses.

During Saturday’s 50-16 loss to Tennessee, things got really ugly:

  • Opponents’ plays of 10 or more yards: 159
  • Rushing defense: 201.0, 17 total TD (12th in SEC)
  • Turnover margin: plus-6
  • Opponents’ points per game: 30.1