Three SEC teams make Phil Steele's top seven offensive lines for 2015

Published May. 18, 2015 11:31 p.m. ET

foxsports

The SEC is renowned for their tough defense, physical line play and the ability to grind out tough yardage on the ground when necessary.

With that in mind, it's no wonder college football guru Phil Steele has ranked three of the league's teams among his top seven units for 2015. The real surprise was the fact Ole Miss was mentioned among the elite.

The Georgia Bulldogs return both tackles and both guards from a unit that finished number 12 in rushing offense and continually opened running lanes for Todd Gurley and Nick Chubb last season. The Bulldogs offensive line was ranked as the number four unit in the country by Football Outsiders last season.

Once again the Arkansas Razorbacks are expected to have the biggest line in the SEC this season after only losing their right tackle. The big Hogs will once again be called upon to clear running lanes for Alex Collins and Jonathan Williams. The duo combined for 2,290 yards and 24 touchdowns a year ago behind this line, can they possibly top it this time around?

The real shocker of this list happens to be the Ole Miss Rebels. All five starters return from last season but where normally that's an advantage, it may be a sign of trouble considering last season's effort. Down the stretch, this line gave no push whatsoever and was manhandled against LSU, Arkansas and most notably, and publicly, against TCU in the Chick-fil-A Bowl.

The line's best player, Laremy Tunsil, fractured his fibula in that game and is still rehabbing the injury. Incoming recruit Javon Patterson could help if he's ready to play immediately, but if he needs time to develop, as most freshman on the offensive line do, and Tunsil isn't fully recovered by the start of the season, this line could be the team's weakness yet again.

(h/t Football Outsiders)