Where did the defense go? The new SEC
ATHENS, Ga. -- Against Georgia on Saturday, LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger threw for a career-high 372 passing yards and the Tigers went 10-for-15 on third down in a hostile environment on the road.
The No. 6 Tigers still lost to the No. 9 Bulldogs 44-41 at Sanford Stadium.
On Sept. 7, South Carolina gained 454 yards of offense and 21 first downs, but gave up 536 yards and 25 first downs in a 41-30 loss at Georgia, which gave the Bulldogs the inside track to a third consecutive SEC East title.
A week later, Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, passed for a career-best 464 yards, ran for 98 and threw five touchdowns against No. 1 Alabama. The Aggies gained 628 yards of offense -- the most ever allowed by the Crimson Tide -- but still lost the game, 49-42 at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas.
<snip>
After five weeks of the 2013 season, seven SEC teams rank in the top 50 nationally among FBS teams in total offense and scoring. SEC teams are averaging 6.52 yards per play -- more than any other league in the country -- and more than 450 yards of offense.
http://espn.go.com/ncf/notebook/_/page/onthemark-130930/new-sec-college-football
Article sums it up to experienced QBs and receivers and young defenses, noting that Florida and Georgia had to replace 8 starters on D.