The defensive-minded Southeastern Conference is generating headlines for shootouts more than shutouts.
The league that has won six straight national titles largely thanks to powerful defenses had two games featuring a combined 1,000-plus yards last weekend.
Texas A&M racked up 716 yards and 58 points in a rout of Arkansas, which had 515 yards. Then Georgia and Tennessee combined for 1,038 yards in the Bulldogs’ 51-44 victory.
Mississippi coach Hugh Freeze says the Tennessee-Georgia score shocked him and remembers when 21-17 was considered a high-scoring SEC game. Says Freeze, “My, how things have changed.”
SEC defenses have already allowed 50-plus points four times, one more than all of 2011.
The league features several high-powered offenses, including Georgia, Tennessee and Texas A&M — but there’s no arguing some defenses have struggled.
Source: Associated Press
