SEC by the Numbers: Who Is Leading and Who Is Struggling

A month into the season, the Southeastern Conference has players and teams at the top of the national statistics, along with others still searching for answers. Here is who is leading and who is struggling, based on national statistics through Sept. 26 and conference-only statistics through Sept. 28.

Who Is Leading

Scoring. Georgia leads the nation at 54.8 points per game, and Florida ranks second nationally at 53.5. Mississippi State leads the SEC and ranks fourth nationally in total offense at 533.3 yards per game.

Rushing. Florida’s Jadan Baugh leads the nation with 11 rushing touchdowns and 66 points. His 600 rushing yards rank second nationally, and in conference games he leads the SEC at 152.0 rushing yards per game. South Carolina leads the league in rushing offense for the season at 262.0 yards per game, while Florida leads in conference games at 272.5.

Passing. Mississippi State’s Kamario Taylor is tied for the national lead with 14 touchdown passes and leads the country at 24.0 points responsible for per game. In conference games, Alabama’s Keelon Russell leads the SEC with a 191.90 passing efficiency rating, and Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss leads in passing yards at 330.5 per game and total offense at 353.5 per game.

Receiving. Arkansas’ Chris Marshall leads the SEC and ranks sixth nationally with 473 receiving yards. Marshall and Mississippi State’s Anthony Evans III are tied for the league lead at 7.0 receptions per game, and Mississippi State’s Sanfrisco Magee leads the SEC with five touchdown catches.

Defense. Georgia leads the SEC in scoring defense at 13.3 points allowed per game and ranks third nationally in rushing defense at 50.5 yards per game. Alabama leads the league and ranks fourth nationally in third-down defense, holding opponents to 23.1%. Tennessee and LSU are tied for the national lead at 4.75 sacks per game, and Tennessee opponents have yet to convert a fourth down. In conference play, Texas leads with 10 sacks, five of them by Colin Simmons.

Turnovers. Alabama and Georgia share the SEC lead in turnover margin at plus-1.25 per game. Alabama’s three defensive touchdowns are tied for the national lead, and Georgia is tied for the national lead with six fumble recoveries.

Red zone and fourth down. Alabama has scored on 100% of its red zone trips and converted every fourth-down attempt, tying for the national lead in both categories.

Special teams. Florida leads the nation in net punting at 49.00 yards, and Vernell Brown III leads the country at 34.6 yards per punt return with two punt return touchdowns. Texas A&M’s Tyler White leads the nation with a 50.0-yard punting average.

Discipline. Texas A&M commits the fewest penalties in the SEC at 4.50 per game and was flagged nine times in two conference games, the fewest in the league.

Who Is Struggling

Kentucky on third down. Kentucky ranks last nationally in third-down conversions at 23.1%, 138th of 138 teams. In two conference games, the Wildcats have converted 4 of 23 third downs.

Arkansas on the ground. Arkansas averages 89.5 rushing yards per game, 136th nationally and last in the SEC. In its lone conference game, the Razorbacks ran for 17 yards on 20 carries. Opponents have also scored on 93.8% of their red zone trips against Arkansas, 122nd nationally.

Texas A&M through the air. Texas A&M ranks last in the SEC and 131st nationally in passing efficiency. The Aggies have completed 54.7% of their passes this season, 128th nationally, and 47.37% in conference games with four interceptions, both the lowest marks in the league. Texas A&M has scored 13.5 points per game in two SEC games.

South Carolina’s pass defense. South Carolina ranks 126th nationally in pass efficiency defense. Conference opponents have thrown nine touchdown passes against the Gamecocks, the most in the SEC, while averaging 311.5 passing yards per game, and South Carolina has allowed 45.0 points per game in league play. Opponents have scored on every red zone trip, and the Gamecocks have forced two turnovers, 122nd nationally, contributing to a turnover margin of minus-1.00 per game.

Penalties in Starkville and Gainesville. Mississippi State averages 9.0 penalties and 80.0 penalty yards per game, 125th and 128th nationally. Florida has the most penalty yards in conference games, 230 on 24 flags in two games, despite leading the league in scoring.

Tennessee’s protection. Tennessee was sacked 10 times in its lone conference game and finished with 221 yards of total offense and 70 rushing yards on 44 carries. The Volunteers rank 129th nationally at 3.25 sacks allowed per game, and Auburn ranks 133rd at 3.50.

Oklahoma’s offense. Oklahoma scored 13 points in its lone conference game, the fewest in the SEC. The Sooners converted 2 of 14 third downs, ran for 65 yards and committed four turnovers, including three lost fumbles.

Vanderbilt’s offense and kicking units. Vanderbilt ranks 121st nationally in third-down conversions at 32.1% and scored one touchdown in its lone conference game. The Commodores have had three kicks blocked this season, including two punts.