THE SCOOP
The powerful defenses in the SEC are being knocked on their heels.
The SEC has built its reputation on fast, talented defenses and rode that tradition to seven consecutive BCS titles. This year, defenses are being shredded.
Nine of 14 SEC teams are surrendering more yards than a year ago at this time. Among them are some of the conference’s defensive leaders the past few seasons: Alabama, LSU and South Carolina.
Whatever the reason — spread offenses, an exodus of defensive talent to the NFL or attack-minded new coaches pushing the tempo on offense — it’s apparent in September that SEC defenses are backpedaling.
Alabama coach Nick Saban said the defensive slide could simply be about talent.
“There’s a lot of explosive players on offense,” Saban said, “and maybe there’s not as many dominant defensive players.”
ALABAMA UPDATE
Alabama has cancelled its previously scheduled games against Michigan State in 2016-17. Athletic director Bill Battle said he requested it because of the “uncertainty of the conference football schedule in those years.” … Comcast’s Xfinity TV will launch “Bama on Demand”, sports-related programming year-round to Crimson Tide fans whenever and wherever they want to see it at no extra cost. … Senior safety Nick Perry will miss the Ole Miss game and likely will need season-ending shoulder surgery, coach Nick Saban said. The date of the surgery has not been set.
SOUTH CAROLINA UPDATE
While Jadeveon Clowney and Chaz Sutton have nursed nagging foot injuries and missed some practice time, everyone with the Gamecocks who has been injured is set to play against Central Florida. Defensive tackle Kelcy Quarles has missed practice with a neck sprain. Starting linebacker Cedrick Cooper is expected back from shoulder problems suffered in training camp, while fellow starter Kadetrix Marcus didn’t play against Georgia because of a shoulder injury. Starting cornerback Victor Hampton has been bothered by foot problems.
QUOTABLE
“That was a pretty tough injury. That’s a big blow for our offense. He was our most consistent guy, so it’s going to have to be by-committee from here on out. It’s good that we have an off week so that we can start working some guys.” — Auburn coach Gus Malzahn on the loss of wide receiver Jaylon Denson to a torn patellar tendon in his left knee.
“We live in a copycat-type deal where coaches are going to follow game plans of other opponents that have had success. That’s the way football works. You have to be able to prove that you can beat certain things.” — Tennessee coach Butch Jones
BY THE NUMBERS
4 Number of teams in the BCS era (starting in 1998) to play three top-10 teams in its first four games, Georgia is the fourth.
29 Consecutive victories by LSU in September since 2006
26 Kentucky losing streak to Florida
2008 The last time South Carolina lost a regular-season, nonconference game was the final game of that season, to Clemson.
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