SEC PREVIEW

Okay, so this is a day late, but who cares so long as its good quality, right? Right. So here goes. Today we will be updating often, but we start with the biggest baddest conference of them all (even though it may not be the toughest this year)—the SEC. Now, the Wouth Eastern Conference is also two divisions, so we will look at each division in my predicted order of finish.


SEC WEST

Arkansas - I know. I am alone in this prediction, but that does not mean I am completely crazy (I think.). But let me explain. Yes, the Razorbacks were a pitiful 4-7 last year, but they were really bitten by the injury bug, and they were really young. This year, they return 19 starters from last year’s team, and another starter from two years ago who sat out last year hurt—20 starters! There is a little QB controversy between incumbant true sophomore Casey Dick and true freshman Mitch Mustain (HS player of the year last year). With the WRs deep and experienced, and a load of great runners led by Darren McFadden (1113 yds, 11 TDs), not to mention four of five returning along the front line, Arkansas’ offense is ready to come with it. The D-Line is big and tackle happy, and excellent LBs should swallow the run. Look for undersized LB Sam Olajubutu to have a huge year. The Secondary is older and wiser, but was somewhat vulnerable last year, so if they can shore it up, Arkansas looks prime to have a good year. Their biggest challenge is their opener against USC, but by avoiding Georgia and Florida, and getting Bama and LSU at home this year, the schedule looks pretty decent. Don’t be surprised if they don’t lose too many—you heard it here first.

Alabama - On offense, Shula’s Crimson Tide looks solid. With four returning starters on the Line, the Tide look primed to run the ball with stud RB Kenneth Darby (1242 yds, 5.2 ypc avg.). The WRs are loaded and Tyrone Prothro looks ready to excite again. The only question mark is the QB. In five appearances last year John Parker Wilson looked good throwing 7-11, 2 TDs, 0 INTs. Word is he can throw it through a brick wall, and is a little more mobile than Croyle, so things are looking up. The Tide defense lost a lot of talent last year, including almost all of its starting LB and DB troops. The line looks solid, and Robinson and Castille will anchor a young DB squad. Look for LB Juwan Simpson to step up and have a breakout year. Being shaky against the big play may hurt the Tide a bit this season, but don’t be surprised if they compete for the SEC West.

Auburn - Tubberville leads a team that is tough to feel out this year. Cox is back at QB and is solid, but not incredible. The top three WRs are gone, so there is not much depth or experience on the edges, but Kenny Irons (1293 yds, 13 TDs) is back and will consume even more yards and TDs this year. With a solid O-Line, the Tigers offense looks decent—maybe not as dangerous as last year though, because all of the big play receivers are gone. With seven returning starters in the defense, including the entire secondary, Auburn’s defense will be tough to beat. This team is talented, but not deep. Injuries could affect them more than some other teams. Look for a strong season, but not a ring. I know that I ranked them higher than Bama, and I still think that this is how they will finish, but Bama will beat them in the Iron Bowl to earn a tie-breaker.

LSU - Coach Les Miles had a good first year, but if he can’t reload quickly, the Tigers are in for a tough year. With a bevy of talented QB prospects, finding a starter might be the hardest part, but the WRs and RBs are back so rebuilding the O-Line is not completely hopeless. The defensive secondary is strong, but losing three DL and two LB hurts. If the new troops are as talented as the old ones, LSU rises, if not…

Mississippi – Coach Orgeron returns almost no one from last year, but that may be a step in the right direction. This is a team that has struggled since Eli, and wasn’t that good with him. Junior QB Brent Schaeffer is good, but traveled (2003 – Tennessee, 2004-05 – JUCO), and having no depth or experience at WR will hurt. The running game was boring last year and may benefit from the O-Line shake-up that is taking place. The D-Line is completely new, but the LBs are solid, led by Patrick Willis who had 128 tackles last year! Three starters returning to the DBs will help, but this team will do good just to win more than they lose.

Mississippi State – Sylvester Croom returns almost the whole team, but that just doesn’t make them very good still. Especially since the starting QB from last year is moving to become the #1 wide-out. Well, This team is young and the recruits are promising, but even returning the heart of the line is not enough to open up the running lanes, so expect them to struggle by air and land. The defense should be much improved, but improved from 24 ppg against is not that hard to do. Give Croom another year and this squad may be a true competitor in the conference, but until then, expect to lose more often than you win.


SEC EAST

Florida – Gator fans are excited about Urban Meyer’s sophomore effort, but only one returning starter on the O-Line could be trouble. With a possible QB controversy brewing between Leak and super frosh Tim Tebow, as well as a RB by committee approach, being deep at the WR position may not be enough to run unscathed through a tough schedule. A strong defense will help the Gators immensely. Look for LBs Earl Everett and Brandon Siler to step up and have great years. With tough games against Bama, LSU, Auburn, and Georgia all in a row, as well as a season finale in Tallahassee (not to mention some sleeper games in Southern Miss and Central Florida), the Gators should win the SEC East, but not get to play for the whole thing.

Georgia - Coach Richt watched his 10-3 Bulldogs lose by 3 to West Virginia in the Sugar Bowl and then lose 13 starters to graduation or the NFL. That means that DJ Shockley is gone, and all of the other QBs are very inexperienced. Only one WR is back from last year, and although they have some strong runners, the blocking corps are a little thinner than last year. The defense is a brighter spot welcoming back its entire LB corps, and the DL looks solid led by Quentin Moses who had 12 sacks last year. The secondary is untested having only one starter return. Special teams play will lift them from danger, but this year will not be as strong as last year.

Tennessee – Prepare to watch the great pumpkin and his troops struggle again this year. Now that the QB struggle is over, they just have to get past the fact that their sole number one threw two more interceptions than touchdowns last year. The WRs have talent, but lack production; however, the Vols have a huge talent in sophomore HB Arian Foster. Of course, running behind a line that lost four starters will be tough. The D-Line doesn’t help matters bring back only one starter as well, but the LB corps is in even worse shape as every starter is gone. At least all of the secondary returns, but still this is not enough to make this anything more than a rebuilding year for the Vols who will look like the Vols of old again (by the way Vols fans, the Vols of old were not the Vols of Manning and Martin, they were not that good).

South Carolina – Spurrier made this team the conference’s biggest surprise last year, but he won’t sneak up on anyone this year. Junior QB Blake Mitchell is quality leader for the offense, and the WRs are solid led by super soph Sidney Rice (1143 yds, 13 TDs). This team had trouble running last year, and returning only two OL starters makes it seem like they may struggle again this year. Losing eight starters on defense hurts this team a lot! Let’s just say that they have converted a WR to a starting CB. Suspect? Yes.

Kentucky – Kentucky’s sanctions have been lifted, but this does not mean that they are bowl bound. The QB slot is up for grabs, the WRs are young and inexperienced, but at least the RB stables are full and the blocking looks good. Last year’s defense gave up 440 ypg to their opponents. Let’s hope that improves. The LBs are strong and should make the front seven decent, but the secondary is shaky and will give up some yards. This will make a winning record a tough goal to reach.

Vanderbilt – Coach Johnson was so close to six wins it hurt, and that was with Jay Cutler at QB. Now Cutler is gone, the QBs are have potential but are unproven, and the line replaces two key starters. The WRs are strong, led by Earl Bennett, but the RB position will get its yards by committee as no clear starter stepped up. The defense will struggle still as they have made few steps to getting better. New faces are nice, but Vandy still struggles in this league because of its admirable commitment to academic standards.


God save the Cheese.