SEC Football: Defense will Determine Division, Conference Winners in 2017

SEC football teams will be looking to dominate with defense in 2017.

SEC football is all about defense and speed. If you’re looking for 4,000 yards passing in a season, you would probably be better off looking at the Big 12. This isn’t meant in any way to be disrespectful to the Big 12. It is simply the stylistic difference between the two conferences.

There is a reason why the No. 1 pick in the 2017 NFL Draft hails from the SEC. Myles Garrett is a menace to quarterbacks in the same way another former No. 1 pick and former SEC standout—Jadeveon Clowney—terrorized quarterbacks. Defensive players are given the opportunity to shine in the SEC.

Last season, Alabama led the nation in points allowed per game with just 13.7 points per game. Alabama won the SEC handily and was one second away from winning the National Championship.

LSU didn’t win the SEC, but at times, the Tigers looked impressive. Dave Arranda’s defense finished fifth nationally by allowing just 16 points per game.

Florida, while completely unimpressive offensively, finished right behind LSU by allowing just 16.8 points per game. Florida ranked last in the conference in several offensive categories but was in the top three in most defensive categories, a big reason the team captured the East title.

Auburn, though not typically a defensive stalwart, ranked eighth nationally in allowing 18.5 points per game.

So, who are the teams with a chance to shine defensively in the SEC in 2017? In short, strong defensive teams will look familiar.