What do the four non-bowl SEC teams have to do to join the party in 2016?

As the number of bowl games continues to increase every year, it seems like everyone goes to a bowl game now. That’s not the case, of course, and for the teams that have to stay home, it’s a time of reflection.

And a time of hope. What do they have to do to get better so they don’t miss out on the party next year? That’s the question being pondered at Kentucky, Missouri, South Carolina and Vanderbilt, the four SEC teams that fell short of bowl eligibility this year.

For them, now it’s time to recruit new players and set plans in place to help the current players improve. Here are some suggestions for where each program can take steps forward:

KENTUCKY WILDCATS

• Step up the defense line: The ‘Cats defense had some ugly games this season and that just can’t happen again. Kentucky’s secondary needs support from its first line of defense, in the form of improved pass rush. And they need to be better stopping the run. Too many times this year, the Wildcats lost the battle at the line of scrimmage and allowed far too many rushing yards. Especially in a run-heavy conference, it’s an area where they need to show improvement quickly.
• Give it to Boom and Jojo: Kentucky is known for the Air Raid, but when you have two talented running backs on your roster, you have to take advantage. Sophomore Boom Williams had a big year, gaining 855 yards on the ground and scoring six touchdowns. He averaged an impressive 7.1 yards per carry and could have threatened a 1,000-yard season had it not been for an injury late. Kemp, a junior, is another talented back who was underutilized this season. The offense needs to start with them next year.
• Close games: How many times did Kentucky almost win but didn’t in 2015? Too many times. They lost close games with Florida, Auburn and Vanderbilt that were all winnable, as was the season finale with Louisville, where they blew a 21-point lead. The ‘Cats need to learn how to finish games. The talent level is there, they just need to take the next step.

MISSOURI TIGERS

• Maintain the defense: The Tigers went from being two-time SEC East division champions to only winning one SEC game in 2015, but it was hard to blame the defense for any of the massive slide. The Mizzou defense ranked fourth in the conference in the conference in Gary Pinkel’s last season. Luckily for Mizzou, the defensive coordinator who was instrumental in running that squad, Barry Odom, is staying on to replace Pinkel. It’s going to be important for the Tigers to keep that defense playing at a high level.
• Generate an offense: Not being able to score points is a recipe for disaster, especially in the SEC. At dead last in the conference in total offense, Mizzou could tell you all about that. Odom has a crucial job ahead of finding the right offensive coordinator for his team, one that can turn things around in Columbia. Mizzou’s 2015 offense was its worst in Pinkel’s 15 years on campus.
• Answer the question at quarterback: As part of rebuilding the offense, Missouri has to decide on a clear direction at quarterback. It will be interesting to see what becomes of Maty Mauk, who’s won a ton of games at Mizzou but was suspended twice this season for off-the-field issues. Will he have a role going forward, or does the QB spot fall to Drew Lock? He struggled through most of his freshman year but still has a huge up-side. It’s the biggest question heading into 2016.

SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS

• Develop a quarterback: It’s a consistent theme with all four teams that quarterback play was an issue in their disappointing seasons. It’s no different at South Carolina, where new coach Will Muschamp will have some decisions to make. Lorenzo Nunez and former walk-on Perry Orth both got playing time this season, but didn’t show enough to guarantee they would be the starter when September rolls around. Could it be the Gamecocks will turn again to Connor Mitch once he is healthy? Mitch started the season but was knocked out for the year in the second game with shoulder and hip injuries. Going forward, is Mitch still their best option?
• Find some offensive stars: South Carolina’s top offensive player, Pharoh Cooper, will not be returning, heading off to nice NFL paychecks on Sundays. What this means is Muschamp and new offensive coordinator Kurt Roper better start thinking about who to focus on next. Could it be wide receiver Deebo Samuel, the Gamecocks’ top returning receiver with 12 catches for 161 yards on the season? Could it be running back David Williams? Could it be some hot freshman? Whoever it is, South Carolina needs it. They have to become more dynamic on offense again.
• Shore up the defense: Did two defensive coordinators get the job done at South Carolina? Clearly not. Jon Hoke’s addition to the Gamecocks staff was supposed to make the defense better, but it got worse instead. If Florida’s Muschamp-built defense is anything to go by, this could be realistically in the cards for South Carolina next year. Muschamp has a track record of running quality defenses, so we should see a lot of improvement in this area next year.

VANDERBILT COMMODORES

• Bring out the best in Kyle Shurmer: After fumbling around at the position, Derek Mason decided to take away Kyle Shurmur’s redshirt and put him in. Lifting the redshirt from Shurmur could come back to bite Vanderbilt in the long run, but the only way to ensure this move pays off for sure is to start developing him with the offense as soon as possible. He was a highly regarded recruit and the key piece in the Commodores’ plans going forward. He needs to grow quickly.
• Identify weapons at receiver: When the quarterbacks struggle, you don’t hear much from the receivers. If Shurmur is developed correctly for the 2016 season, Vanderbilt’s receivers should also find their time to shine. Largely a crew of talented sophomores, the Commodores’ receiving corps –  Trent Sherfield, Caleb Scott, and Latevius Rayford, to name a few – has breakout potential. Establishing a reliable group of receivers will allow Vanderbilt to achieve the offensive balance it didn’t have in 2015. And if they can throw it better, then that will make standout RB Ralph Webb even better.
• Win with defense: Defense was a highlight for the Commodores this season, even though the squad ended the year on a sour note with a bad loss at Tennessee. Vanderbilt finished the season ranked sixth in the conference in yards allowed per game, sixth in sacks, and third in fumbles forced. That level of defense could really take Vanderbilt places, especially if it starts to get a little bit of help from the other side of the ball.

Christine Wang

Christine Wang is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. She covers Auburn, Arkansas and Ole Miss.