SEC teams ranked by offensive points per possession

Points per possession is a much better indication of offensive success than points per game.

Some take it even further, calculating points per possession minus garbage time and adjusting for strength of opponent. But this chart gives us some idea of the best (and worst) offenses in the SEC in 2014.

For example, Mississippi State ranked 17th in the country at 36.9 points per game, much higher than Arkansas (45th, 31.9). But looking at points per possession, the Razorbacks and Bulldogs are nearly identical, scoring an average of 2.2 points every time they possessed the football.

Despite a run-heavy offense operating at a slower pace, the Arkansas attack was about as effective at Texas A&M’s pass-heavy spread (2.29 points per possession).

(Points per possession is calculated with a maximum of six because it excludes extra points.)

Ole Miss lost Laquon Treadwell to a season-ending injury, exposing the team’s offensive limitations. Senior quarterback Bo Wallace’s inconsistency and propensity to make mistakes in big games (at LSU, vs. TCU) drew plenty of heat, but the team’s offensive line was among the worst in the conference and Ole Miss lacked an above-average running back.

As a result, the Rebels finished with 1.69 points per possession, 13th in the SEC and 83rd in the country.

Check out the full list.