<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes"?><oembed><version><![CDATA[1.0]]></version><provider_name><![CDATA[Get The Picture]]></provider_name><provider_url><![CDATA[https://blutarsky.wordpress.com]]></provider_url><author_name><![CDATA[Senator Blutarsky]]></author_name><author_url><![CDATA[https://blutarsky.wordpress.com/author/blutarsky/]]></author_url><title><![CDATA[The defense&#8217;s next&nbsp;step]]></title><type><![CDATA[link]]></type><html><![CDATA[<p>Something from <a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/sec/post/_/id/98532/ten-burning-spring-questions-in-the-sec?utm_term=%23sec+%23ncaa&amp;utm_source=twitterfeed&amp;utm_medium=twitter" target="_blank">Ed Aschoff&#8217;s post</a> today on SEC spring preview questions:</p>
<blockquote><p><strong>8. Are any teams in the SEC really pegged for a national championship run?<br />
</strong>The SEC has a handful of contenders, but none of them are polished to this point. Two favorites to watch? How about Auburn and Georgia? The Bulldogs still need to find a quarterback but might be the most complete SEC <em>[sic]</em> otherwise. Running back Nick Chubb seems willing to carry the offense, while the defense should fill its current holes nicely this spring.</p></blockquote>
<p>That&#8217;s quite an assumption, isn&#8217;t it?</p>
<p>I mean, Pruitt did a good job last season masking the deficiencies in the secondary.  As mentioned earlier today, he&#8217;s got some real talent to work with at outside linebacker.  I&#8217;m also a believer in second-year improvements.  But he&#8217;s got a monumental job replacing a lot of experience on the defensive line.  He&#8217;s also got to replace two inside linebackers who, despite their flaws, were mainstays for the defense.</p>
<p>At least he&#8217;s got experienced players to plug the gaps created with the departures of Herrera and Wilson.  On the defensive line, though, he&#8217;s got to find some freshmen who can, if not start, at least shore up the two-deep significantly.  How realistic do you think Aschoff is being here?</p>
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