Shootouts not shutouts early norm in SEC

By: Associated Press

Posted: Wed 1:21 PM, Oct 03, 2012

The defensive-minded Southeastern Conference is generating headlines for shootouts more than shutouts.

The league that has won six straight national titles largely thanks to powerful defenses had two games featuring a combined 1,000-plus yards last weekend.

Texas A&M racked up 716 yards and 58 points in a rout of Arkansas, which had 515 yards. Then Georgia and Tennessee combined for 1,038 yards in the Bulldogs' 51-44 victory.

Mississippi coach Hugh Freeze says the Tennessee-Georgia score shocked him and remembers when 21-17 was considered a high-scoring SEC game. Says Freeze, "My, how things have changed."

SEC defenses have already allowed 50-plus points four times, one more than all of 2011.

The league features several high-powered offenses, including Georgia, Tennessee and Texas A&M - but there's no arguing some defenses have struggled.

North Carolina ousts Tigers from CWS with 4-2 win

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