We’re getting closer to the start of the season, which means you’re going to start hearing coaches talking about the importance of teams not beating themselves.
Which team in the SEC did the best job of not beating itself last season, and which team did the worst?
Based on differential in penalty yards, Alabama and Kentucky were the best and Auburn the worst.
The Tigers had a staggering 381 more penalty yards than their opponents last season. Nobody else in the SEC was even close to that figure. Georgia was the next worst with 120 more penalty yards than its opponents.
Georgia also had the most penalties (105) and most penalty yards (878) in the SEC last season. The Bulldogs finished 107th nationally in penalty yards per game (67.5).
Kentucky led the league and was fifth nationally in penalty yards per game (38.6).
Here’s a look at how the SEC ranked last season in penalty yards differential. Alabama and Kentucky tied for first:
T-1. ALABAMA
Penalty yards: 598
Opponent penalty yards: 729
Difference: Plus-131
T-1.KENTUCKY
Penalty yards: 502
Opponent penalty yards: 633
Difference: Plus-131
3. TENNESSEE
Penalty yards: 516
Opponent penalty yards: 566
Difference: Plus-50
4. OLE MISS
Penalty yards: 564
Opponent penalty yards: 564
Difference: Even
5. ARKANSAS
Penalty yards: 679
Opponent penalty yards: 671
Difference: Minus-8
6. VANDERBILT
Penalty yards: 600
Opponent penalty yards: 567
Difference: Minus-33
7. LSU
Penalty yards: 633
Opponent penalty yards: 575
Difference: Minus-58
8. MISSISSIPPI STATE
Penalty yards: 590
Opponent penalty yards: 517
Difference: Minus-73
9. FLORIDA
Penalty yards: 735
Opponent penalty yards: 647
Difference: Minus-88
10. SOUTH CAROLINA
Penalty yards: 695
Opponent penalty yards: 586
Difference: Minus-109
11. GEORGIA
Penalty yards: 878
Opponent penalty yards: 758
Difference: Minus-120
12. AUBURN
Penalty yards: 847
Opponent penalty yards: 466
Difference: Minus-381