SEC Preview

[buzzer beater]

Here is my SEC preview, enjoy!

 

East Division

 

1. Florida - The runaway favorite in this division of course, and to probably win the entire thing. Again. Florida is returning the true beast of college football in Tim Tebow. The Gators are also bringing in a pretty solid recruiting class that ranks 11th on rivals.com. Florida will not have the luxury of the explosive Percy Harvin this season after losing the nifty receiver/running back to the NFL draft. The Gators also lose the play making Louis Murphy to the NFL. The bright side, probably the brightest of any team in the country, the Gators return all 11 starters on the defensive side of the ball, something Gator fans should be very happy for. Florida should have another very successful season in 2009, much like the previous one. Will it end up back in the BCS title game?

 

Key Games - Georgia, LSU

Prediction - 11-1(regular season)

 

2. Georgia - Sure, losing your top two players to the NFL draft will almost hurt, if not kill any team. But the Bulldogs are reloading for this upcoming season, and doing a good job of it. Coach Mark Richt has put together another solid recruiting class that should help the Bulldogs through the tough losses of Stafford and Moreno. The class coming in ranks in the top 10 in the country, something UGA fans will be happy of. The questions of course will come at the QB spot, something fans had no worries of in the past seasons due to Staffords big play making ability. The spot should be won by one of three guys. Jon Batson and Joe Cox should be the two front runners, but don't count out Jon deLaureal. The young gunning freshman could also put in for some snap time. The Bulldog D should be as strong as a year ago, but the O-line has some questions. All in all Georgia should have another successful year.

 

Key games - Oklahoma State, Florida

Prediction - 9-3(regular season)

 

3. Tennessee - The Vols are coming off a season which saw them go 5-7, a sad season meant a final go around for the Volunteer great Phil Fulmer. Tennessee fans were greeted with the new arrival of a young and exciting man, Lane Kiffin. Kiffin and his NFL experience should pay off for the UT faithful. Kiffin may have got off on the wrong foot by calling out the defending SEC and National champs, the Florida Gators and Urban Meyer, but it seems like the Volunteer fans like that about the young coach. He isn't afraid. Tennessee should have a much better year than last season, which they had a loss to Wyoming. Kiffin and company have put together a solid recruiting class, the 10th ranked in the nation. The QB spot will be vital this season for UT. They welcome back Jon Crompton, who should have a better year than the previous one. UT should have a solid defensive core coming back, and an O-line who will hopefully protect whoever the QB may be. UT should have a solid year, hopefully one anyways for Kiffins sake.

 

Key games - UCLA, Florida, Alabama

Prediction - 6-6(regular season)

 

4. Kentucky - The Wildcats are bringing back quite a bit from a year ago, something some teams around the SEC can't say. The best spot for coach Brooks and company, the defense. The Cats welcome back Trevard Lindley, easily one of the best corners not only in the SEC, but maybe the country. They also return back Micah Johnson and Jeremy Jarmon, two very talented defensive studs who will provide leadership on and off the field for the Cats. On the offensive side, the Cats bring back the quick Randall Cobb, who showed he could be a little bit of QB a year ago. The Cats also bring back Kyrus Lanxter, their top wide out. Hartline should be the QB to start the year, it's in his hands on whether he keeps that job. All in all the Cats should have an OK year, nothing like the last three. I don't see them bowling this year.

 

Key games - Louisville, Florida, Alabama

Prediction - 5-7(regular season)

 

5. South Carolina - South Carolina should have a solid season in 09, but not a great one. The old ball coach has a lot up his sleeve, and now that his career is on it's down swing, especially since arriving in SC. The Gamecocks return QB Stephen Garcia, who just couldn't get the job done for Carolina a year ago. Spurrier usually has a solid QB to run things for him, but as of late he hasn't. The bright spot for SC could be the defensive side of the ball. South Carolina won't have that great of a year to me. They have lost to much from what really was nothing to great of a squad a year ago. Maybe Spurrier can get things together, win all the games he should, and pull off an upset or two. That's all Gamecock fans can hope for.

 

Key games - Ole Miss, Alabama

Prediction - 5-7 (regular season)

 

6. Vanderbilt - Vandy shouldn't do anything spectacular this season, like they did a year ago. The Commodores lost their key player in D.J. Moore to the NFL, and the QB Nixon as well. The bright spot returning for the Dores, QB Makenzie Adams. Adams should have a solid year if he is the full time starter. As for the team, don't look for them to shine to much like they did a year ago.

 

Key games - Florida, Ole Miss

Prediction - 4-8(regular season)

 

West division

 

1. Alabama - Coming off a season which started amazing, but would later flounder, the Crimson Tide are out for another very successful year. Nick Saban put together his best team in Alabama yet and took them all the way to the SEC title game, and to a BCS bowl appearance. Those two games didn't end up quite the way Bama fans wanted them too. Saban and company will have to test the SEC waters without their star signal caller, John Parker Wilson. They will also lose to play making running back of Glen Coffee. The brightest spots for the Tide, big time play maker Julio Jones returns as a top wide out in the country, along side with 9 starters on the defensive side of the ball. The most impressive thing coming in for Saban, his #1 ranked recruiting class which has a solid 28 signings. Bama has the talent to compete and win the SEC, probably the only team in the conference who will be able too. I like this team, and I think they will have success.

 

Key games - LSU, UF, Ole Miss

Prediction - 10-2(regular season)

 

2. Ole Miss - The surprise team from a year ago, Houston Nutt set the West division on fire a year ago. He was the only coach to say his team beat the national champions, the Florida Gators. Ole Miss is returning a lot on the offensive side of the ball, expect for the star tackle Mike Oher. The big question will be the defense for the Rebels, who showed they had a hard time defending the pass a year ago. Nutt put together a very solid recruiting class, which ranks 18th in the country. The key to this season will be the starting QB stud, Mr. Sneed. He could easily be a favorite for the SEC offensive player of the year. Ole Miss should have a very solid season after seeing who they return. They also have a very good coach on their side.

 

Key games - Alabama, LSU

Prediction - 9-3(regular season)

 

3. LSU - The Tigers are coming off a solid season, and head coach Les Miles is liking what he is seeing in Baton Rouge. The Tigers should put up another solid year under Miles, who has flown under the radar as a coach. Some say his coaching style is not as normal, or productive as others, but he has gotten the job done while taking over for Nick Saban. LSU will return some key guys from a year ago, but will also lose other key guys to the NFL. The Tigers will return wide out Brandon LaFell. The defense could be hurting after it's losses, and so could the quarterback position. All in all LSU could have a very good year, but the schedule isn't on their side. They go to Georgia, Alabama, and Ole Miss.

 

Key games - Ole Miss, Alabama

Prediction - 8-4(regular season)

 

4. Arkansas - The Razorbacks will just edge out Auburn for the 4 spot. Arkansas and head coach Bobby Petrino are looking to improve, and improve a lot from a disappointing 5-7 season a year ago. Petrino will have high expectations at Arkansas, especially after what Houston Nutt did for that program before his arrival. The good thing, The Razorbacks recruiting class ranks 16th in the country. The bad thing, they don't really return much on both sides of the ball to really even compete with the big boys in the conference. I just don't see them having to much success this season, the schedule is pretty rough. Don't expect to much from ole Bobby P this season.

 

Key games - LSU, Alabama

Prediction - 5-7(regular season)

 

5. Auburn - The biggest mistake the Tigers made was letting go of one of the best coaches it will ever see, Tommy Tubberville. The new guy, I'm not sure you may even know his name. Gene Chizik. You may know his name after all, his Iowa State team was on of the worst teams in the country a year ago. To me, this was the dumbest hire of the off season, and the dumbest I have seen in a while. This guy has done nothing to prove he can really even coach, especially in the SEC, and especially at Auburn. Auburn doesn't really return all that much, but they are bringing in a top 20 recruiting class. Don't expect a lot from the Tigers this year, they just don't have the right coach in there or players to do it.

 

Key games - West Virginia, LSU, Ole Miss

Prediction - 5-7(regular season)

 

6. Miss State - The Bulldogs won't have all that great of a year in 2009, but I will say they will in the future because of the hiring of the once great Florida offensive coordinator, Dan Mullen. It's to soon for Mullen to start the Bulldogs on the rise to the top of the SEC, but he will get them there soon. They are coming off a mediocre season after posting a solid 8 win season 2 years ago. The good thing, the Dogs do have a top 25 recruiting class coming in. They won't pick up a lot of wins this year, but look for them to do nothing but improve in the future.

 

Key games - LSU, Ole Miss

Prediction - 4-8(regular season)

 

SEC Offensive player of the year - Tim Tebow

SEC Defensive player of the year - Brandon Spikes

SEC Freshman of the year - Bryce Brown

Top recruiting class - Alabama

SEC coach of the year - Urban Meyer

Breakout player of the year - Julio Jones

Surprise player of the year - Gevan Sneede

Conference champions - Florida

[Alabama Larry]

Very nice work..who beats us twice? Cats and Ole Miss?

[CatsCatsCats]

Nice work.

I think Arkansas, at least goes to a bowl game. They will be very good, I think they win at least 7 games. Also, I think atleast 7 SEC teams will be bowl eligible. JMO. Also, Brandon Spikes will be the defensive force of the SEC. Yes, better than Eric Berry at UT.

[stick1]

I think KY will be better than predicted. I think LSU will be better and if the Fresh QB plays he might be breakout player of the year. The kid is an amazing athlete! Julio Jones broke out last year IMO. I am really anxious to see what Auburn does under Gus Mazlahan. He is one of the best high school offensive coaches in history. Tulsa lit it up with him there and I have the feeling that his pace at Auburn might give some teams trouble. I honestly think KY (if they get the offense rolling) is talented enough to jump Tenn+possibly Geo. They lost a lot of leadership IMO. Ole Miss is getting so much praise it is going to be fun to see how they respond to being the hunted instead of the hunter.

Nice job btw.

[CatsCatsCats]

I think KY will be better than predicted. I think LSU will be better and if the Fresh QB plays he might be breakout player of the year. The kid is an amazing athlete! Julio Jones broke out last year IMO. I am really anxious to see what Auburn does under Gus Mazlahan. He is one of the best high school offensive coaches in history. Tulsa lit it up with him there and I have the feeling that his pace at Auburn might give some teams trouble. I honestly think KY (if they get the offense rolling) is talented enough to jump Tenn+possibly Geo. They lost a lot of leadership IMO. Ole Miss is getting so much praise it is going to be fun to see how they respond to being the hunted instead of the hunter.

Nice job btw.

 

:thumb:

 

Gus Malzahn = Offensive Genius.

[CatsCatsCats]

Who do you think beats UF Beastley?

 

I think Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Ole Miss, Alabama, LSU and Arkansas make bowl games this season.

[swamprat]

Is Georgia red shirting Aaron Murray?

[AverageJoesGym]

Your order of finish in each division looks like pretty good but I think that you're out of your mind if you think that the SEC finishes with only 6 Bowl Eligible teams. You really only think SEC teams finish at 6-6 or better? :ohbrother:

[oldrambler]

Nice job Beastley, imo you wrote some very good previews and your picks also look pretty good.

[AverageJoesGym]

Your order of finish in each division looks like pretty good but I think that you're out of your mind if you think that the SEC finishes with only 6 Bowl Eligible teams. You really only think SEC teams finish at 6-6 or better? :ohbrother:

 

I meant to ask if you really only think 6 SEC teams finish 6-6 or better?

[CatsCatsCats]

I meant to ask if you really only think 6 SEC teams finish 6-6 or better?

 

That was my biggest problem as well.

[AverageJoesGym]

I meant to ask if you really only think 6 SEC teams finish 6-6 or better?

 

That was my biggest problem as well.

 

:thumb: Here are the number of SEC teams that won at least 6 games each season to be bowl eligible:

 

2008-8

2007-9

2006-9

2005-6 Teams only played 11 regular season games

2004-7 Teams only played 11 regular season games

2003-7

2002-9

2001-9 Teams only played 11 regular season games

2000-9 Teams only played 11 regular season games.

 

Only once in this millenium has the SEC only had 6 bowl eligible teams, and that occurred in a season in which teams were only allowed 11 games so they only had 3 non-conference games. Since the extra non-conference game is usually a cupcake the SEC teams usually average an extra win in the seasons in which they play 12 games. In the seasons where the teams played 12 regular season games the SEC has averaged 8.25 bowl eligible teams. Unless Beastley thinks that the SEC has suddenly gotten weaker I think his number of SEC teams going bowling is too low. His order of finish looks okay though.

[buzzer beater]

Very nice work..who beats us twice? Cats and Ole Miss?

 

Thank you sir. I believe Ole Miss will and Va Tech. The Va Tech game could easily go either way. I would say Alabama could go 11-1 with their schedule and not having to play the Gators.

 

Who do you think beats UF Beastley?

 

I think Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Ole Miss, Alabama, LSU and Arkansas make bowl games this season.

 

I don't see Arkansas and Kentucky both making bowl games, maybe 1 of the 2. Kentucky will have a very solid defense, but again the offense has a lot of questions. Arkansas didn't show me to much a year ago, and it doesn't seem like they have gotten that much better. The wide out depth is short for Kentucky, and is Locke coming back? I read on rivals.com that he wasn't on either of the spring game teams. I'm not sure if he is hurt or something, but they will miss him if he isn't on the roster.

 

Also Florida will be very good, but I believe they will lose at least one game during the season. They will probably play 14 games(again) so I doubt they can run the table and go 14-0. I believe they could lose the LSU game, and maybe even to Georgia. It doesn't seem likely right now, but you never know. UF will have another amazing season though.

 

Your order of finish in each division looks like pretty good but I think that you're out of your mind if you think that the SEC finishes with only 6 Bowl Eligible teams. You really only think SEC teams finish at 6-6 or better? :ohbrother:

 

I do believe that. It could have 7 bowl eligible teams, but I'm not sold on that. The teams I listed with losing records are all very likely to lose those many games. Kentucky and Arkansas would be the top 2 teams of the 6 who could have a 6-6 record. The others, Auburn, Miss State, Vandy, and South Carolina are all going to be down, I highly doubt any of those teams reaching 6-7 wins.

 

Nice job Beastley, imo you wrote some very good previews and your picks also look pretty good.

 

Thank you sir :thumb:

[CatsCatsCats]

Arkansas has a lot coming back though and a new QB. Mallett should be better than Casey Dick was, and Petrino will have the Arkansas offense rolling. Could be the most balanced in the SEC with Smith back at RB. I think they are a serious sleeper to do some good things in the SEC, ala Ole Miss last year.

[buzzer beater]

Arkansas has a lot coming back though and a new QB. Mallett should be better than Casey Dick was, and Petrino will have the Arkansas offense rolling. Could be the most balanced in the SEC with Smith back at RB. I think they are a serious sleeper to do some good things in the SEC, ala Ole Miss last year.

 

I don't believe Mallet is like a Snead, I don't think Arkansas will have the O-line like Ole Miss did a year ago, and not sold on their defense. I could be wrong, just going by what I saw a year ago..