There have been plenty of different exotic offensive looks installed in to SEC offenses over the last few years with teams looking to gain an edge with creative looks and play-calling. However, at the end of the day the reality is that SEC battles are still won in the trenches and in order to be a contender teams must still have quality offensive lines to protect their quarterbacks and open up holes in the running game. So which groups are the best of the best heading in to the 2016 season? Here is a look at the top four offensive lines in the SEC West right now.
LSU Tigers
The Tigers lost both of their tackles from last year’s group that allowed 17 sacks but they return the interior of their offensive line with star center Ethan Pocic along with guards William Clapp, Maea Teuhema and Toby Weathersby. Teuhema could move out to the left tackle spot with Weathersby kicking out to the right tackle spot while Josh Boutte and Garrett Brumfield fight for the starting job at left tackle. LSU has done an excellent job reloading on the offensive line over the years and they have the skill to be the best in the SEC once again this season. This is a make or break season for Les Miles and the Tigers and strong offensive line play will be crucial.
Auburn Tigers
Auburn has some important questions left to answer on offense at the quarterback and wide receiver positions but the one area they won’t have to worry about is the offensive line. Alex Kozan and Braden Smith are studs at the guard positions while Austin Golson could emerge as a star at tackle after moving over from the center position. Senior Xavier Dampeer is more than capable of sliding in to the center position while Robert Leff and Texas transfer Darius James fight for the starting job at right tackle. Auburn has reloaded with some quality inside-outside players that can hold their own in both pass defense and run blocking so look for this unit to be a stabilizing force this season.
Alabama Crimson Tide
The Crimson Tide won the Joe Moore Award for the best offensive line in the nation a year ago despite struggling at times throughout the year and in the national championship game and it will be interesting to see how they fare after losing a couple of key pieces. Center Ryan Kelly and right tackle Dominick Jackson both moved on with Ross Pierschbacher set to start at center while Korren Kirven and Jonah Williams battle for the open tackle job. The best news is that star left tackle Cam Robinson returns to anchor the line and the new starters have the potential to be very good this season.
Arkansas Razorbacks
It won’t be easy to replace center Mitch Smothers, guard Sebastian Tretola and tackle Denver Kirkland, and the fact the Razorbacks lost offensive line coach Sam Pittman this offseason doesn’t help. Dan Skipper has had his share of highs and lows, but he should be able to hold down the right tackle spot for Arkansas this season. Frank Ragnow returns as well but will slide in to the center position after playing at a high level at right guard a year ago. The key will be how well Hjalte Froholdt fares after shifting from the defensive line to a guard position while redshirt freshman Colton Jackson gets a shot at the starting left tackle job. The talent is there but after some substantial turnover this offseason it could take some time to gel. The one thing we do know with head coach Bret Bielema is that he can build an offensive line. He did it at Wisconsin and he’s done it at Arkansas. His unit might be seeing a lot of turnover but they’ll be big, tough and rugged by the time the 2016 college football season kicks off.
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