A couple of fun factoids from the 2014 season:
- 1 Team in the nation shut out two conference opponents this season — Arkansas, which blanked No. 20 LSU 17-0 and No. 8 Ole Miss 30-0 in back-to-back games in November. Only one other unranked team had shut out two ranked opponents in the same season.
- 16 Points per game given up by Ole Miss during the 2014 season, the lowest average in the nation. The Rebels became the 22nd SEC team to lead the nation in scoring defense…
Which isn’t to say there wasn’t some sieve-like defensive play in the conference last season, or that there weren’t plenty of offenses that had their way with opponents… just that this data, from somewhat unlikely quarters, indicates all isn’t lost.
Get The Picture 
The quality of SEC defense is still the country’s best. The problem is the rules are so tilted to offense now that no one would know how good SEC defenses really are. Pruitt’s job against The Barn and Saban’s work against A&M were pretty much beautiful to watch.
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Now Gus, don’t be going off on Ellis! He’s a good boy. Remember you only put up 7 on Pruitt. And one last thing–No Waffle House for you.
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Hey Brother Bluto, you should do a ‘Name that Caption’ on this pic.
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Get back on your bus Gus…don’t need to discuss much.
I ain’t your pal …Mal.Don’t be messin’ with me!
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I don’t really understand this.
One might argue that offensive holding is no longer called as it should be. And, the push off by receivers seems to get called less than it should.
But who can argue that defenders don’t maul receivers while running their routes or ‘playing the ball?
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WDE, you rarely see offensive interference called. Defensive pass interference is called very inconsistently with doubt going the offense’s way. The tackle box rule gives QBs the ability to ground the ball intentionally with no risk. Don’t even get me started on holding. Blocking downfield on balls thrown behind no the line. The rules are stacked against the defense no matter what way you look at it.
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The measuring points on defensive performance needs to be adjusted significantly. There are still some very good defenses around but the measurable will not stack up to the past. Too many rules changes, and interpretation swings, that stack the deck for the offenses. I liked the higher scoring to a point but feel we are now well past a reasonable balance.
Still, Arky’s back to back performance was impressive against average offenses as was UGA’s against Auburn last season. It can still be done, but you had better have an offense that can score 35 every game if you expect to win championships because someone is going to blow your defense up occasionally (look at the collapse our defense had against SC and FU). Is averaging 30 PPG on defense the new 18?
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I’m not sure if it’s that, Mac, as much as it is about scoring margin.
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All I can say is Arkansas scares me this year like MSU did last year. I think there’s a very good chance they win the West and the SEC.
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