[Tuck4Bama]

The SEC is in the midst of an offensive explosion. Scoreboards are being illuminated with relative ease all over the league.


Just look at Tuscaloosa, Ala., where Alabama outslugged Arkansas 41-38 last Saturday. Or in Gainesville, where Florida and Tennessee scored 79 points. It's happening everywhere.

Through three weeks, SEC teams are averaging 33.7 points per game.

That is up drastically from last year's average of 25.4.

It would seem as though the SEC, a defensive monster a year ago, is shifting more toward an offense-dominated league.

"I think there's probably some truth to that," Georgia coach Mark Richt said.

Last year, three SEC teams ranked in the top 10 in the country in total defense. They were LSU (3), Florida (6) and Georgia (. This year, there is one: LSU.

Part of the reason is that many of the league's teams have younger defenses. And most of the league's big-time players are on the offensive side of the ball this year.

But coaches say there are other factors to explain this scoring explosion. Like rule changes.

This offseason, kickoffs were moved back five yards to the 30. The NCAA also abolished the rule allowing the clock to start after a change of possession.

Offense replaces defense in SEC - News - GatorSports.com