By Jim Johnson
SouthernPigskin.com

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Here are some of the most important questions for each of the SEC East teams.

From quarterback competitions to coaching changes, the offseason is full of question marks for every team. How these questions are answered can oftentimes separate the contenders from the pretenders. Here are some of the most important questions for each SEC East team to address this offseason:

Florida: How much of a difference will Jim McElwains new offense make? At Colorado State, McElwains offenses were high octane machines. They went fast, moved the chains quickly, scored a lot of points, and were characterized by efficient play under center. At Florida, he has a bit of a project at quarterback with Treon Harris, who will be a sophomore. Harris is raw, but capable of doing the job in the right system. At CSU, McElwain turned into Rashard Higgins, a former two-star recruit, into the most prolific receiver in the country. Demarcus Robinson could be that guy for Florida this season. If he doesnt put too much pressure on young Harris too early, and utilizes Kelvin Taylor alongside Harris in the read option, it could be a quick turnaround for the offense in Gainesville.

Georgia: As always for Georgia, its biggest question this offseason will be if it can stay out of its own way. Can the Bulldogs avoid the off the field issues that seem to dominate their headlines every year? Last year the team dismissed Shaq Wiggins, Tray Matthews, and Josh Harvey-Clemons from an already depleted defense. In 2012, it was star running back Isaiah Crowell that got the boot. This will be one of the most talented teams in the SEC this year if it can just avoid shooting itself in the foot. The question is, can they do it?

Kentucky: Wxccxb6hxccxb6oxccxb6 xccxb6dxccxb6exccxb6sxccxb6exccxb6rxccxb6vxccxb6exccxb6sxccxb6 xccxb6txccxb6oxccxb6 xccxb6sxccxb6txccxb6axccxb6rxccxb6txccxb6 xccxb6axccxb6txccxb6 xccxb6pxccxb6oxccxb6ixccxb6nxccxb6txccxb6 xccxb6gxccxb6uxccxb6axccxb6rxccxb6dxccxb6? Can they figure it out on defense? Despite being one of the youngest offenses in the SEC last season, Kentucky wasnt bad. It wasnt great, but as the offense continues to grow together it should show improvement. Offense wasnt the problem in 2014, defense was. They gave up more points than anyone in the SEC, aside from Vanderbilt. Frankly, it doesnt look like its going to get any better. They are losing multiple starters, and although they put together a solid, albeit not great, class this year, dont expect to feel the impact anytime soon.

Missouri: Who will carry the torch for Mizzous new tradition of pass rushing phenoms? This season, the Tigers won their second SEC East title in a row. In each of those seasons, the hallmark of the team was a devastating pass rusher: Michael Sam in 2013 and Shane Ray in 2014. With no readily apparent heir to the throne, this offseason could provide another surprise emergence. It doesnt appear that this years defensive anchor will be a defensive end, though. The best bet to succeed Sam and Ray is either defensive tackle, Harold Brantley, or linebacker, Kentrell Brothers. If no one fills the void, the Tigers recent run of success might come to an abrupt halt.

South Carolina: Does the Ol Ball Coach still have it? The Gamecocks appear to be headed in the wrong direction, and Steve Spurrier isnt getting any younger. USC fans got anxious earlier this year when he changed his go to answer, in regards to retirement, from 4 or 5 years to 2 or 3 years. He is becoming growingly evasive when it comes to talking about calling it quits, which cant be a good sign. If the ship really is sinking, it seems like the idea of going home to Florida and spending the rest of days working on his golf game would be much more appealing than sticking around and going down with the crew. He will always be known as one of the best coaches the game has ever seen, but no one can do this job forever. If 2015 is like 2014 in Columbia, HBC might make a move to the sunshine state.

Tennessee: The bricks have been laid, now can they get it done on the field? Talent development is the key for Tennessees offseason. Butch Jones has put together two top-five recruiting classes in a row. The talent is there, the new task is to utilize it. Recruiting classes are fun to talk about in February, but what happens in the fall is what matters. Josh Dobbs is poised to be one of the best quarterbacks in all of college football next season, and hes surrounded by young weapons. The defense is starting to come together, on paper, but they still have to replace AJ Johnson. Are the Vols ready to win right now, or will their inexperience come back to bite them?

Vanderbilt: Oh boy, where to begin? One thing Vanderbilt does have going for it is its youth. Probably the biggest question for the Commodores offseason is how they can get Johnny McCrary more comfortable. Given, the defense did not provide much support last season, it was the worst in the SEC, but McCrary has to stop forcing things. Derek Mason would do well to develop his starting quarterback. If he can turn McCrary into a legitimate starter, the rest of the pieces will, hopefully, start to fall in place.