SEC Conference Preview

Continuing with our conference previews, we go south to the SEC, where football Saturday's are truly a way of life. For the past decade, the SEC has been hands-down the best conference in the country, and this year it should again be at or near the top, with talented teams such as the defending champs in Alabama, Florida, and LSU. But life will be at least a little different this year in the SEC. And if you follow CCUB at all, you'll know that we think it's a change for the better, as the Lord's prodigal son Tim Tebow has finally moved on from the Florida Gators to the NFL. College football fans can rest in peace knowing that the sport will no longer double as a promotion of religious propaganda.

On with the preview...

SEC East Division:

1. Florida: Despite losing Tebow, there is no reason why the Gators shouldn't pick up where they left off rather quickly. New QB John Brantley was just as highly regarded coming out of high school, and he has had success in his limited opportunities. There are also so many other talented playmakers, both on offense and defense, to expect that much of a drop-off. The offensive line will continue to be strong under the leadership of C Mike Pouncey, WRs Deonte Thompson and Jeff Demps are crazy fast, and the secondary will be strong with CB Janoris Jenkins. The Gators still don't have a clear-cut force at RB, but it's not like they don't have plenty of former five-star prospects to choose from. Games at Alabama and Tennessee will be tough, but I would be shocked if this team wasn't playing in Atlanta come December.

2. Georgia: A lot of people are thinking that South Carolina has the best chance at toppling the Gators in the East, but like their fellow South Carolina institution Clemson, they seem to be masters of choking down the stretch. There are all kinds of questions surrounding the Bulldogs as well, but I am confident that QB Aaron Murray will quickly adjust to opposing SEC defenses. He better, because the Bulldogs already play South Carolina in Week 2. That game could very well decide both teams' outlooks for the rest of the season, and while it's at SC, like I said I'm not sold on them. Murray also has one of the best WR's in the country in A.J. Green, and there is also talent at RB with Washaun Ealey and Caleb King. The defense was awful last year, and until the season starts, there is not much reason to expect differently this year. If the defense improves, this team has the talent to beat anyone.

3. South Carolina: While I'm not high on the Gamecocks, they are still too talented to fall below number three. Coach Spurrier is hoping that the light finally goes on for QB Stephen Garcia. With few other options at QB, Garcia needs to show that he can be consistent in leading the offense. He has talent in rising star WR Alshon Jeffrey and TE Weslye Saunders (although Saunders is currently suspended). He just needs to get them the ball. The defense has usually been the strong unit for the Cocks (couldn't resist), and with returning starters like CB Chris Culliver, I expect this team to be involved in a lot of low-scoring close games. Maybe Garcia's experience will finally lead to a few more on the winning side.

4. Kentucky: Slowly but surely, the WIldcats are starting to get more talent, and it wouldn't be a surprise this year if they finish second in the SEC East. To do that, senior QB Mike Hartline needs to become more consistent, and just make sure he doesn't turnover the ball too much so that the playmakers WR Randall Cobb and RB Derrick Locke can work their magic. While I think the offense will be one of the better ones in the SEC, the defense is inexperienced, and frankly, there isn't that much talent there to work with. Maybe some veterans like CB Paul Warford will step up and allow the Wildcats to be involved in less shootouts, but new coach Joker Phillips definitely has his work cut out for him with this unit. Kentucky does have a pretty easy schedule though, so I wouldn't be surprised if the finished with eight or maybe nine wins. And Kentucky fans would have to love that kind of success at a school where basketball will always reign supreme.

5. Tennessee: New coach Derek Dooley did a good job of maintaining and signing a strong recruiting class this past spring. Unfortunately, he didn't have much talent to work with, especially after last year's incident where some key players were dismissed for armed robbery. Phil Simms' younger quarterback Matt Simms will be taking over as QB for the Vols, but he won't have that many experienced players to throw too besides WR Gerald Jones. And with RB Bryce Brown's transfer, there isn't much certainty at that position as well. The defense has some talent with players like Janzen Jackson and Darren Myles, but again, not much experience or depth for the unit as a whole. If some of the freshman develop, this team could surprise some people, but I'd say a .500 season is about the best Vols fans can hope for in Dooley's first season.

6. Vanderbilt: Vandy fans couldn't have had much worse of an offseason. First, RB recruit Rajaan Bennett, one of the most highly sought-after players in Vandy history, was tragically shot and killed. Then, coach Bobby Johnson abruptly decided to retire about a month before the season started. This team will always be at a talent deficit due to the strict academic standards of the school, but there is not much experience either. All in all, the misery continues for Commodore fans. But they usually don't come to games for the football anyway...

SEC West Division:

1. Alabama: Despite the recent news that Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram will miss the season opener against San Jose St. and potentially a few more games, the Crimson Tide are in good shape to potentially win not only the SEC West, but another national championship. RB Trent Richardson was ESPN's #1 recruit in 2009, and was very good last year, so the offense should keep on being strong. And another year of experience for QB Greg McElroy and WR Julio Jones should only make this offense that much better. The defense lost a lot of key starters from last year's team, but there is still an absurd amount of talent, with DT Marcel Dareus and LB Dont'a Hightower being some of the headliners. The schedule ain't easy with road games at Arkansas and LSU, but there's no reason to bet against the Tide at this point.

2. Auburn: A bit of a surprise pick, but I really think Auburn could be in line for a big season. Obviously, the basis of this high prediction is that I think incoming QB Cameron Newton will master Auburn's spread offense under offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn. But I also think that coach Gene Chizik has some really good building blocks to work with, particularly on offense. Offensive lineman Lee Ziemba anchors a strong overall offensive line, and there are good wide receivers such as Darwin Adams that have the size and speed to make a lasting impact in the passing game. RB Mario Fannin is solid, and the Tigers also received a commitment from one of the nation's best high school running backs this past spring in RB Michael Dyer. The defense doesn't have quite as much talent, but it should be solid. And last but not least, the Tigers get Arkansas and LSU at home. All the road games are manageable (yes, even the Iron Bowl with Alabama), so Auburn has many of the necessary pieces in place for a big season.

3. LSU: Despite winning a national championship three years ago, folks out on the Bayou are getting impatient with coach Les Miles. It doesn't help that Nick Saban is already working his magic over at Alabama. Once again, the Tigers are ridiculously talented on both sides of the ball, boasting an impressive WR unit and stud defenders like CB Patrick Peterson. The key is the consistency on the offensive line and the continued maturation process of QB Jordan Jefferson. If Jefferson had thrown a few less interceptions and the Tigers had gotten a few more lucky bounces, they might have gone undefeated last year. Three games in four weeks against Florida, Auburn, and Alabama, will test LSU and let us know if they are ready to contend for an SEC and national championship.

4. Arkansas: Arkansas is everyone's chic pick this year because they should have one of the best offenses in the country. Ryan Mallett is a darkhouse Heisman candidate (and kind of a douche too), and he has an impressive arsenal at his disposal, including big time WRs Greg Childs and Joe Adams. USC transfer Broderick Green and Knile Davis form a more-than-capable RB duo, and the offensive line is steady. The question for Bobby Petrino's squad is how the defense will hold up. Arkansas, perhaps more than any other team last year, was involved in shootout after shootout. Petrino can't count on the Hogs' offense scoring every time. He has brought in some talent like CB Darius Winston, but there needs to be marked improvment to see Arkansas go from contender to the champ. And I just don't have enough faith in their defense for that to happen.

5. Ole Miss: I actually think Mississippi St. is the better football team, but the Bulldogs play a brutal schedule that includes six ranked teams as well as C-USA power Houston. Ole Miss would have been a potential dark horse if Oregon QB transfer Jeremiah Masoli was able to play, but for some weird reason, the NCAA denied his request this past week. That leaves the Rebels without much experience at QB, and that could prove disastrous during a five-game midseason stretch in which they play Fresno St., Kentucky, Alabama, Arkansas, and Auburn. This team lost too many playmakers to make this season anymore than a rebuilding one, and coach Houston Nutt would be lucky to go bowling.

6. Mississippi St.: You gotta feel for coach Dan Mullen and the Bulldogs. The SEC did them no favors when it came to scheduling, as they start the season with Auburn, LSU, and Georgia, while ending against Alabama and Arkansas (with trips to Houston and Florida as well). That kind of schedule simply does not bode well for a team short on experience and talented players. I would be shocked if the team pulled out more than five wins. On the bright side, this past year they did sign Brett Favre's nephew Dylan Favre. Maybe he will lead the team to the promised land a few years down the road.