Welcome back friends Part 2

Recap:

14) Kentucky

13) Ole Miss

12) Vanderbilt 

11) Tennessee

10) Texas A&M

9) Missouri

8) Florida

Auburn's D-coordinator Brian VanGorder

7. Auburn- Of the 14 teams in the SEC this year this is the team that confuses me the most. That is why I had to put them in the middle of the pack. They are going into this season with 2 brand new coordinators. Now I know the man won a national championship just 2 years ago, but I just truly believe his QB and Offensive Coordinator were the biggest part of that season. Now, obviously the QB is gone and the Offensive Coordinator took a head coaching job. So how good is a Gene Chizik? I really don't think all that good. He has all kinds of talent on both sides of the ball, but the Tigers are in desperate need of consistent QB play. That and their all-American status running back transferring, I think Auburn is in for somewhat of a let down year.

Returning Starters:

Offense-7

Defense-9

Keys To Success: Start fast!! In September the Tigers play Clemson on a neutral field, Miss. State in Starkville and LSU in Jordan-Hare. 

Educated guess on final record: 8-4

6. Mississippi State- As I wrote about yesterday, I predicted many teams would struggle because of their schedules, I have the Bulldogs right here for that reason as well. This years schedule is by far and away the easiest since Mullen got to Starkville. The way it sets up, the Dawgs could very easily go 6-1 or possibly even 7-0. Now a lot of things must fall into place for this to happen. Probably the most important of those things being Tyler Russell stepping up and being the QB fans believe him to be. If the Dawgs can stay healthy, this might finally be the year Dan Mullen gets a win over a Western division team other than Ole Miss.

Returning Starters:

Offense-5

Defense-7

Keys To Success: By far the biggest question mark going into the season is the offense line. It seems the whole season depends on these guys.

Educated guess on final record: 8-4

5. Arkansas- If Bobby Petrino had not been selfish and had some fun with an athletic department intern this offseason, then the Hogs might be a very serious contender for a run at the National Championship. But now they are one of the biggest mysteries in the SEC. The fact remains they still have serious talent, but without Petrino calling the plays on offense, you have to question can they overcome losing their coach. Tyler Wilson is poised to have another Heisman like year, but will it be enough to overcome the big boys in the West? I don't think so.

Returning Starters:

Offense-8

Defense-6

Keys To Success: Step up on the defensive side of the ball. We all know they will be able to score at will, but can they stop anybody.

Educated guess on final record: 9-3

4. South Carolina- The Gamecocks are coming off the best season in school history, and considering the turmoil they went through, you realize how great of a coach, Steve Spurrier is. This year he goes into the season knowing that his QB won't be a huge distraction. He also has the luxury of knowing he very well could have the best collective D-line in the nation as well as the best RB, if he can stay healthy. The schedule does set up favorable this year, but can the Cocks beat Georgia at home? This will determine the East

Returning Starters:

Offense-7

Defense-6

Keys To Success: Keep Marcus Lattimore healthy. 

Educated guess on final record: 10-2

3. Georgia- I find it completely absurd that we go into yet another season talking about Mark Richt being on the hot seat. He only went 10-2 last year and represented the East in the SEC Championship game. And I'm a believer that they will equal or even better that record this year. Aaron Murray is now entering his third year in the SEC and is poised to lead. The defense is solid, the O-line is huge and receivers are deadly. The only question mark the Dawgs have is who can step up and replace Isaiah Crowell at the RB, after he got booted from the team. 

Returning Starters:

Offense-6

Defense-10(!)

Keys To Success: Win in Columbia and the SEC East is yours. 

Educated guess on final record: 11-1

2. Alabama- At Alabama a phrase that stands out year after year is "you don't rebuild, you reload." We all know they have the talent, but this replacing of stars seems even tough for someone like Saban. I just couldn't put them as the best team in the SEC when you have to replace the talent they lost to the NFL. That and they fact they play IN Baton Rouge. The Tide will be solid, but this year might actually be more of a rebuild for the Tide.

Returning Starters:

Offense-6

Defense-6

Keys To Success: Eddie Lacey must keep the trend of All American running backs in Tuscaloosa going. 

Educated guess on final record: 11-1

1. LSU- We finally have something that resembles a quarterback in Baton Rogue! The Tigers looked poised to make another run at the at an attempt to the National Championship. Even with the dismissal of the Honey Badger, this defense looks incredible at every position. Teams will have a tough time scoring on the Bayou Bengals at all. And now with a true quarterback, Mettenburger, the offense also looks ready to roll. I love every part of this team, including special teams. Anything less than Atlanta and a BCS Bowl will be a failure for this team.

Returning Starters:

Offense-6

Defense-5

Keys To Success: Take care of business every week. They will more than likely be favored every game this season, so don't have a let down and just play their game.

Educated guess on final record: 12-0

Welcome back friends. I know many of you are asking "where has the blog been?" (I realize no one has asked this). But I have 2 answers to that question: 1. I don't care to analyze any sports but football and basketball 2. I am extremely lazy. Well it's that time of year wear you can smell football. It's right around the corner. So to begin the season, before kickoff I'm gonna try and break down the 14 (welcome A&M and Mizzou) SEC teams and try to predict where I think they will finish. This is gonna be fun and interesting since I know nothing about the Aggies or Mizzou. Well here goes nothing...

14. Kentucky- We can just get straight to the point: this will be Joker Philip's last season. You can't succeed when no one cares about your program. These people are ready for basketball season already. They will be competitive but the talent just isn't there.

Returning Starters:
Offense-4
Defense-5

Key To Success: The offense must be better. It was the worst in the SEC last year. Young playmakers must step up.

Educated guess on final record: 3-9

13. Ole Miss- Now before all my Rebel friends freak and I just think I personally hate you guys, I assure you that is not the case. Let's step back and look at this schedule:
vs #15 Texas
AT #2 Alabama
vs #30 Texas A&M
vs #25 Auburn
AT #10 Arkansas
AT #6 Georgia
AT #1 LSU
vs #33 Mississippi State
(rankings according to preseason coaches poll)

This set-up would be a tall order for anybody, much less a school coming off 2 and 3 win seasons, a new head coach and a team who has had a hand full of transfers and dismissals. I think Hugh Freeze can help this team in the long run but not this season.

Returning Starters:
Offense-7
Defense-6

Key To Success: Either Barry Brunetti or Bo Wallace has to step and lead this team as a solid QB. 2 QB systems DO NOT work in the SEC.

Educated guess on final record: 4-8

12. Vanderbilt- I think the Commodores will be much improved, but this is another case of the schedule just being too difficult. James Franklin has this team on the up-swing. Anytime you can get you team into a bowl game in Nashville, fans will view it as a major success. Look for Franklin to be recognized as a candidate for a major college program this coming offseason.


Returning Starters:
Offense-9
Defense-8

Keys to Success: Keep the momentum rolling and and stay confident. Franklin has the team believing they can compete in the SEC.

Educated guess on final record: 6-6

11. Tennessee- With his most talented group yet in Knoxville, all I can say is Derek Dooley better succeed. The team took a huge hit losing it's star wide receiver, Da-Rick Rogers (why the hell can't he just spell it Derrick), but with Tyler Bray at the helm he should be able to turn some of his younger receivers into stars. The Vols have had 2 straight losing season, which is absolutely unheard of in the land of Rocky Top. Many believe this is the year they return to SEC prominence, but I am not one of those people. I will also go out on a limb and predict the Vols will be looking for a new coach by seasons end.

Returning Starters:
Offense-9
Defense-7

Keys To Success: Tyler Bray has to step up and be the Heisman candidate type QB many think he can be.

Educated guess on final record: 7-5

10. Texas A&M- Let me give you a few facts about the Aggies going into their first season as an SEC member:

• A new coach
• New spread offense
• New 4-3 scheme defense
• New starting QB

Now this would be a tough situation in Conference USA, but in the SEC West, we can call this task near impossible. I think in the long run the addition of A&M will be good for the SEC but i just don't think they realize what they are in for this coming season. 

Returning Starters:

Offense-9

Defense-6

Keys To Success: Buy into Sumlin's program. The SEC can be rough, don't let it be overwhelming and just stay competitive.

Educated guess on final record: 7-5

9. Missouri- Much like Texas A&M, I think Mizzou is in for a giant culture shock entering the SEC. The only break, if you want to call it that, is that they will be competing in the East as opposed to the West. Having undersized lines on both sides of the ball will really be exposed against SEC caliber athletes. They will be able to move the ball through the air, but the running game and defense may really struggle.

Returning Starters:

Offense-6

Defense-7

Keys To Success: Let James Franklin do his thing and show the SEC how good of a QB he really is.

Educated guess on final record: 7-5

8. Florida- There are no two ways around it, the first season for the Gators under new coach Will Muschamp was a complete and utter disaster. But they come in to this season with much more confidence and competent offensive coordinator (hahahahhahaha Charlie Weis y'all). The defense which was pretty solid last year, will be solid again this year. The biggest question mark is still on the offensive side of the ball, and more specifically the QB position. While the Gators will be much improved, they are still another year away from competing for the East title.

Returning Starters:

Offense-7

Defense-10 (!)

Keys To Success: Find an SEC caliber QB. The talent is there, but a someone needs to step up and lead the offense.

Educated guess on final record: 8-4

SEC Predictions

Well guys, it's been far to long. But it's finally game week in College Football. So pumped to be back and have something to blog about. First post back I'm gonna simply break down what I think the SEC will look like at the end of the season. And then throughout this week, break down each individual team. So here goes nothing...

SEC West
1. LSU (12-0)
2. Alabama (11-1)
3. Arkansas (9-3)
4. Mississippi State (8-4)
5. Auburn (8-4)
6.  Texas A&M (7-5)
7. Ole Miss (4-8)

SEC East
1. Georgia (11-1)
2. South Carolina (10-2)
3. Florida (8-4)
4. Missouri (7-5)
5. Tennessee (7-5)
6. Vanderbilt (6-6)
7. Kentucky (3-9)


Games Of The Year

5. Alabama Vs. Michigan, September 1- A chance for the SEC to yet again, flex it's muscles in front of a national audience.

4. Florida at Texas A&M, September 8- Is A&M ready to be a part of the best league in the nation and is Florida ready to be elite again?

3. Alabama at Arkansas, September 15- How will the Hogs respond to life without Bobby Petrino?

2. Georgia at South Carolina, October 6- Most likely will decide who represents the East in Atlanta.

1. Alabama at LSU, November 3- Most likely will decide who represent the West in Atlanta, and could very well could determine if the SEC will make it an unprecedented 7 National Championships in a row.
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And until next time, I leave you with this. Happy Football Season!