Ranking All 14 SEC Defenses for 2012

2011 PPG: 32.08 (96th in FBS)

Returning Starters: 8

We know what happened to Ole Miss last season overall. It was a two-win season that caused the departure of coach Houston Nutt. The Rebels also had the worst defense in the SEC, which included giving up 52 points to an LSU team that crossed midfield once against Alabama in the national title game.

Leading tackler LB Mike Marry (pictured) told ESPN.com earlier this month that he's looking forward to improvement from the unit thanks to the different looks it will give this season under new head coach Hugh Freeze and defensive coordinator Dave Wommack.

We aren't as optimistic.

2011 PPG: 28.92 (79th in FBS)

Returning Starters: 9

One year after it won the national championship under Gene Chizik (pictured) in 2010, Auburn sputtered on defense in 2011. The Tigers allowed just under 29 points on average but gave up at least 34 points on seven occasions last season.

Don't expect much to change in 2012, though Auburn has brought in ex-Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder to runs its defense. Wait, wasn't defense supposed to be Chizik's specialty? Could have fooled us.

2011 PPG: 28.15 (70th in FBS)

Returning Starters: 6

Texas A&M will enter the SEC for the first time this season and may not be as equipped as it had hoped. The Aggies' new coach Kevin Sumlin is known for his team's "Air Raid" offense at Houston, and Texas A&M itself employed Top 10 pick QB Ryan Tannehill under center last year.

Coming off a season in which they were 70th in scoring defense - and especially dismal against the pass - the Aggies have brought in new defense coordinator Mark Snyder, who told the Houston Chronicle last month that TAMU will be more aggressive in his 4-3 scheme. They better hope it turns into results.

2011 PPG: 24.67 (53rd in FBS)

Returning Starters: 6

Kentucky's defense was actually OK in 2011. But it has lost five starters and its top two tacklers to the NFL and, as KentuckySports.com pointed out earlier this month, many of its leaders on that side of the ball.

Safety Martavius Neloms (pictured) has stepped in to fill that void, according to KentuckySports.com, which said that the 'Cats leading returning tackler has become a vocal leader. Looks like he will have to do a lot of yelling in 2012 for a defense that will certainly be on the field a lot.

2011 PPG: 23.54 (44th in FBS)

Returning Starters: 6

It's no shock that Missouri's defense is at this spot on our list. The Tigers are playing in the SEC for the first time, where defenses rule. Yeah, everyone is excited about Dorial Green-Beckham, but Mizzou will need an improvement over a finish of 44th in scoring defense while in the Big 12.

Randy Ponder, a bright spot last year, earned a scholarship after starting as a walk-on. He will be just a nickel back and a reserve corner - but the rest of the Tigers will have to play above their heads now that they are in the SEC.

2011 PPG: 22.23 (33rd in FBS)

Returning Starters: 6

All eyes will be on the Razorbacks' offense in 2012, when QB Tyler Wilson is expected to challenge for the Heisman Trophy and star running back Knile Davis will return from an injury that caused him to miss last season.

As for the Hogs' defense, it will return six starters - including DT DeQuinta Jones - but was a disappointing group as a whole last season that led to the resignation of defensive coordinator Willy Robinson. It's up to new DC Paul Haynes to get better results without DE Jake Bequette and LB Jerry Franklin. Good luck with that.

2011 PPG: 21.62 (29th in FBS)

Returning Starters: 7

James Franklin has a background as an offensive coach, but that hasn't stopped him from changing the culture on both sides of the ball. Actually, you can thank defense coordinator Bob Shoop for most of that. He helped the Commodores, a doormat in the SEC as we've mentioned many times before, into the Top 20 in total defense in the nation last year and 29th in scoring average.

Unfortunately for Vandy, it will lose talented middle linebacker Chris Marve and corner Casey Hayward but will retain some big beef up front in Walker May and Rob Lohr. Shoop told ESPN.com earlier this month that his unit will look different - but that doesn't mean it will necessarily be worse.

2011 PPG: 22.58 (36th in FBS)

Returning Starters: 8

It's going to be a make-or-break year for head coach Derek Dooley (pictured) in Knoxville; he must be glad that he has new defensive coordinator Sal Sunseri along for the ride. Sunseri arrives with a big reputation as a linebackers coach on Nick Saban's staff at Alabama, where he won two national championship.

According to the Chattanooga Times Free Press last month, the Vols took the spring to install Sunseri's 3-4 scheme, which he changes often to disguise the look. The Vols hope he can help change the look of more outcomes on Saturday afternoons with eight starters back on that side of the ball.

2011 PPG: 19.69(16th in FBS)

Returning Starters: 7

Improbably, Mississippi State's success in recent seasons has been predicated on its defense, including a strong defensive line. While linebacker Cameron Lawrence (pictured) has been a playmaker, it's the success of the Bulldogs up front that had them as the 16th ranked team in the nation for scoring defense in 2011 despite winning just seven games.

Coach Dan Mullen, a former offensive coach, will take it and hope there is more of the same. The problem? Big DT Fletcher Cox is now in the NFL.

2011 PPG: 20.31 (20th in FBS)

Returning Starters: 10

There will be blood if Will Muschamp's defense doesn't become dominant this season in Gainesville for the intense former defensive coordinator known as "Coach Blood." There is loads of talent for him to work with and 10 returning starters.

The Gators will need to overcome the loss of DE Ronald Powell - perhaps the unit's best player - who tore his ACL and could miss the entire 2012 season. Florida still retains DT Sharrif Floyd, LB Jelani Jenkins and S Matt Elam so Muschamp won't be accepting any excuses.

2011 PPG: 8.15 (1st in FBS)

Returning Starters: 4

Did you doubt that Nick Saban would reload after putting together one of the best defenses in recent memory? Saban has built the Tide into a defense-first program, which saw six defensive players selected in last month's draft - with safety Mark Barron (7th overall), cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick (17th overall) and LB Dont'a Hightower (25th overall) all going in the first round.

That won't faze Alabama, which will return behemoth defensive tackle Jesse Williams (pictured) and others with plenty of talent. Don't be surprised if this defense is a force once again by the end of the season.

2011 PPG: 20.57 (23rd in FBS)

Returning Starters: 9

We can't slot the Dawgs any higher on this list because of the suspensions to safety Bacarri Rambo and inside linebacker Alec Ogletree for four games. But that doesn't leave the cupboard bare. All-American LB Jarvis Jones (pictured) still is around after recording 13.5 sacks last year and, when the others return from suspension, this should be a very formidable unit.

Mark Richt hopes that it turns into that sooner rather than later since so he can avoid another sluggish start.

2011 PPG: 18.38 (11th in FBS)

Returning Starters: 6

Steve Spurrier, let me introduce you to your defense. The Ol' Ball Coach, a former quarterback who fancies himself an offensive guru, has a strong defense that's led by massive defensive ends Jadeveon Clowney (pictured) and Devin Taylor, who combined for 14 sacks last season.

The Gamecocks also have senior linebackers Shaq Wilson and Reginald Bowens but needs a better secondary before it can take over the top spot after losing CB Stephon Gilmore early to the NFL and S Antonio Allen to graduation.

2011 PPG: 11.29 (2nd in FBS)

Returning Starters: 5

The second best scoring defense in the nation lost Morris Claiborne to the NFL but is still loaded with two future first round picks in next year's NFL Draft on the defensive line in DE Sam Montgomery and DE Barkevious Mingo, plus the top cornerback and safety in the conference in Tyrann Mathieu, a.k.a. “The Honey Badger” and Eric Reid. And don't forget about massive DT Anthony Johnson.

Throw in the genius of defensive coordinator John Chavis and the Tigers should allow even fewer points this fall for what is not only the best defense in the SEC but also the entire FBS.