SEC Football 2011: Predicting Major Stat Leaders

The Southeastern Conference is without a doubt the best conference in college football. A team from the conference has won the last five national titles. Three of the last four Heisman Memorial Trophy winners are from this conference.

There is always an SEC player near the top of every major statistical category. Last season, there was an SEC player in the top 5 in completion percentage, passing yards, passer rating, rushing touchdowns, receiving yards, tackles, interceptions, and defensive touchdowns.

Within the individual conference, many players surprise and have breakout seasons in which they post ridiculous stats. Who predicted that Cam Newton would come from nowhere and win the Heisman? Who foresaw Knile Davis rushing for 1300 yards? Who knew Robert Lester would pick off eight passes?

Will any player come out of nowhere and have a great season? Read on to find out!

Passing Yards: Aaron Murray, Georgia

Aaron Murray had one of the most efficient seasons a true freshman quarterback has ever had. At his current pace, he will break every UGA quarterback record and most SEC records as well. He is only a sophomore, but he has proven that he is without a doubt the best QB in the conference.

Yes, he lost A.J. Green and Kris Durham, but he still has Tavarres King and Orson Charles as main targets. If Isaiah Crowell can manage a decent season, it will open up passing lanes for Murray. Murray is accurate, precise, and strong in his throws. He doesn't turn the ball over, and he will get many yards this season.

Just look at what he did last season!

Prediction: 3489 yards

Runner-up: Tyler Wilson, Arkansas, 3156 yards

Passing Touchdowns: Tyler Wilson, Arkansas

In his limited playtime last year, Tyler Wilson showed he can be just as good as former QB Ryan Mallett. His best game came in a loss to Auburn when he threw for 332 yards and four touchdowns. With the injury to star running back Knile Davis, the Razorbacks will probably pass more. Obviously, this will lead to more passing attempts.

This season, Wilson will benefit from one of the best receiving corps in college football. He should toss plenty of touchdowns en route to leading the SEC in that category.

Prediction: 31 touchdowns 

Runner-up: Aaron Murray, Georgia, 29 touchdowns

Passing Interceptions: Stephen Garcia, South Carolina

Stephen Garcia enters his senior season on the hot seat. Backup Connor Shaw is fighting for the position, and Steve Spurrier will pull Garcia in a heartbeat. However, I believe the only way Shaw will get significant playing time is if Garcia gets injured.

Garcia will end up throwing way too many interceptions trying to force the ball to his star receiver, Alshon Jeffery. Jeffery can catch a lot of passes, but errant throws in the direction of the safety do not fall into that category.

Prediction: 16 interceptions 

Runner-up: Tyler Wilson, Arkansas, 14 interceptions

Rushing Yards: Trent Richardson, Alabama

Trent Richardson has put up 2497 total yards and 19 touchdowns in his first two seasons backing up Heisman winner Mark Ingram. Now, he is thrust into the spotlight for the first time and will look to prove how great he truly is. He has already shown what a monster he is, as indicated by this touchdown run against Arkansas.

No matter who wins the starting quarterback job, the Crimson Tide will have a young quarterback under center. This will lead to more carries for "T-Rich," and therefore more yards as well. He will break Mark Ingram's two-year-old record for rushing yards by an Alabama player, and he will finish high in the Heisman voting.

Prediction: 1684 yards 

Runner-up: Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina, 1487 yards

Rushing Touchdowns: Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina

Marcus Lattimore was the NCAA Freshman of the Year and the headliner of the All-Freshman Team after rushing for 1197 yards and 17 touchdowns. He, Stephen Garcia, and Alshon Jeffery made up one of the most dynamic trios in all of college football.

This season, Steve Spurrier will likely trust him much more, which will result in an increase in carries near the red zone. This will also increase his touchdown total, and he will finish with the most rushing touchdowns by an SEC player since Tim Tebow won the Heisman Trophy in 2007.

Prediction: 22 touchdowns 

Runner-up: Vick Ballard, Mississippi State, 18 touchdowns

Receiving: Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina

Because every receiving category will be dominated by one player, I did not feel the need to make three separate slides. Alshon Jeffery will be the No. 1 target for either Stephen Garcia or Connor Shaw, and he will have an incredible season. Few defensive backs can contain him one-on-one.

Jeffery will completely dominate and gather some Heisman Trophy votes. If he leaves for the pro draft, he will likely be a top-10 pick. If he continues to make plays like these, he will always impress.

Predictions: 85 receptions, 1682 yards, 11 touchdowns

Total Tackles: Chris Marve, Vanderbilt

Chris Marve, although relatively unknown outside of Nashville, actually led the SEC in total tackles in 2009 with 121. He even had 80 last season despite missing a lot of playing time because of injuries.

Marve is the active leader in career tackles for any defensive player in the conference, posting over 100 in his freshman and sophomore seasons. If he can stay healthy, he should be the most effective tackler in the league and have a career year.

Prediction: 138 total tackles 

Runner-up: Danny Trevathan, Kentucky, 131 total tackles

Sacks: Devin Taylor, South Carolina

Devin Taylor finished last season with 7.5 sacks, one of the highest totals in the SEC. He managed to do this despite being the focus of the offensive line almost every play. He enters his final season looking to have a great year with the goal of being drafted into the NFL.

Five-star prospect JaDeveon Clowney will be there to take pressure off of Taylor. This will allow him to assault the quarterback much more than he ever has, and he will lead the conference in sacks.

Prediction: 10.5 sacks 

Runner-up: Courtney Upshaw, Alabama, 8.5 sacks

Interceptions: DeQuan Menzie, Alabama

An Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back has led the SEC in interceptions the past two seasons and been in at least the top three the three seasons prior. This trend will continue this season. DeQuan Menzie had played excellent in practice and scrimmage thus far, and some consider him to be the best cornerback on the team.

Few quarterbacks will throw in the direction of 6'3" Dre Kirkpatrick, who is bigger and stronger than most receivers. Every team has also heard of star safeties Mark Barron and Robert Lester, and no one is going to want to pick on them. For these reasons, the speedster Menzie will get a chance to shine. He'll pick off many passes and make a case for being a first team All-American.

Prediction: 7 interceptions 

Runner-up: Morris Claiborne, LSU, 6 interceptions