This season for the SEC season should be an again exciting one. The SEC is doing nothing but continuing to load up on teams, and getting better throughout the entire conference. With the addition of former Big 12 teams ( Texas A&M and Missouri), the SEC will maintain its high level of competitiveness. I'm not a big fan of the SEC, however, the conference never seems to dissapoint. Since the last six BCS National Champions have been from the SEC, we all know what to expect every year. Enough of the small talk, lets get right into my predictions.
- Mississippi Rebels: Last Season: Overall (2-10) Conference (0-8)
The Rebels are coming off a less than impressive season obviously according to a terrible 2-10 overall record. The only two wins coming against Southern Illinois (42-24) and Fresno State (38-28). I watched a few Rebels games and I quite honestly was disgusted. There seemed to be no leadership taken place and hardly any effort put in by the players on the field. Nearing the end of the season, former head coach Houston Nutt suspended starting quarterback Randall Mackey and rushing leader Jeff Scott for the remainder of the season. This alone shows the lack of leadership Ole Miss had on and possibly off the field. The season will not begin easy with an SEC opener vs the defending National Champs Alabama in Tuscaloosa. With new head coach Hugh Freeze, hopefully the Rebels can turn everything around and look forward to a much better season.
Prediction: Overall (1-11) Conference (0-8)
- Tennessee Volunteers: Last Season: Overall (5-7) Conference (1-7)
I look at the Vols as a team who will probably show a lot of heart this upcoming season. Not having the best season last year, I'm sure head coach Derek Dooley will look to bring Tennessee back to being a powerhouse in the SEC. With all the recruiting violations surrounding the school in 2009 involving former head hoach Lane Killin , life got tougher but the football team didnt suffer extremely bad. Most college football experts are picking the Vols to be a surprise team in the SEC and potentially playing in a bowl game this season. Look for the Vols to play extremely loose and relaxed football this season with a chip on their shoulder. With junior quarterback Tyler Bray under center, he gives the Vols a very good chance a having a plus .500 season after coming back from a broken thumb injury he received last season.
Prediction: Overall (7-5) Conference (3-5)
- Kentucky Wildcats: Last Season: Overall (5-7) Conference (2-6)
With the exception of Ole Miss, I think the Wildcats were and extremely atrocious team on the gridiron. Watching the Wildcats play was similar to how LSU played in the BCS National Championship game. It seemed as if the Wildcats couldn't move the ball at all the entire season. The statsheet might say otherwise, but watching the Cats on television was totally different. Joker Phillips is a very good and well respected coach around the SEC, but his team has got to improve alot. The Cats have alot of young talent which will probably set them back because of the lack of skill they have compared to other powerhouses in the SEC such as Alabama, LSU, South Carolina etc. The offense surrounding the Cats will be a huge question mark because the starting quarterback position is still up for grabs. Therefore next few years will be rebuilding and seeing who will take the leadership role on the field for the Cats.
Prediction: Overall (4-8) Conference (1-7)
- Vanderbilt Commodores: Last Season: Overall (6-7)* Conference (2-6)
Vandy is a team in the SEC that alot of people might sleep on this season. Even though the Commodores finished below .500 last season, they showed signs of life in almost every game played. Vandy has a good head coach in James Franklin, who could possibly be looking at SEC Coach of The Year depending how the season finishes up. As I watched Vandy last season, for the most part, they seem like a team who could put up points in the blink of an eye. On the defensive end they struggled, but in crunch time, showed they could make a stop when it counted or get better a getting a stop. Even though they lost to Cinncinati in a bowl game, I believe coach Franklin has very good intentions this season. Vandy has a very favorable schedule this season so making a second straight bowl appearence looks bright. Jordan Rodgers, brother of Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is the likely option to start for the Commodores. If he is anything like his big brother, this could possibly cause trouble for SEC opponents.
Prediction: Overall (8-4) Conference (4-4)
- Mississippi State Bulldogs: Last Season: Overall (7-6)* Conference (2-6)
Mississippi State was probably under the radar to alot of people last season becasue they didn't stand out like the top tier teams of the SEC. However, the record might not show it, but like Vanderbilt, the Bulldogs had an impressive season and there is room for more improvement. For the most part, on the defensive end, the Dogs had an outstanding 2011 season. If the offense could have produced more on their end, the team could have easily ended up with a 9-3 regular season. However the production wasnt there which was very hurtful in critical games. Tyler Russell under center replacing Chris Relf will bring a new attack on the offensive side and hopefully produce points. The defense will be stellar as usual and in past years. The Bulldogs could surprise a few SEC teams if they are taken lightly.
Prediction: Overall (9-3) Conference (5-3)
- Auburn Tigers: Last Season: Overall (8-5)* Conference (4-4)
When we think of Auburn, we still think of Cam Newton. Well, Cam Newton is at Auburn anymore and that is the past. A season after the Tigers won the 2011 BCS National Championship, life at Auburn is different. After almost dropping a nailbiter vs Utah State, we all realized that this wasn't the same Auburn championship team. Clint Mosely took over the quarterback position in 2011, but it has been reported that his shoulder woes could cost him to lose his starting job to sophmore Kiehl Frazier. Michael Dyer, who is remembered for the spectacular run vs Oregon is attending Arkansas State after being stripped of his scholarship at Auburn. Losing alot of key players won't help the Tigers get any better. Coach Gene Chizik will have to figure out something on the offensive side of the ball in order to put up points against the stellar defenses the SEC imposes. If not, it could be a long and tough season for the Tigers
Prediction: Overall (5-7) Conference (2-6)
- Florida Gators: Last Season: Overal (7-6)* Conference (3-5)
After being banged up for a good portion of the season, the Gators managed to stay a float in the dangerous SEC and pulled out games to make a bowl game. Everything isn't a cakewalk without former quarterback Tim Tebow and that stellar defense the Gators imposed. Losing coach Urban Meyer a few years ago just added insult to injury. The Gators are very young at most of the positions on offense and defense. The Gators will need to find a leader in the upcoming season, if they want to be back at the top of the SEC and compete for SEC Championships and BCS Title games like before. Head coach Will Muschamp will have to encourage his young team to rise above the occasion and criticism they will recieve and win ball games. Sophmore Jacoby Brissett will most likely get the start under center and hopefully he will live to the hype that alot of people have pumped him up to be.
Prediction: Overall (4-8) Conference (1-7)
- Texas A&M Aggies: Last Season: Overall (7-6)* Conference (4-5)
Well, the SEC just got alot more interesting. Two teams will be joing the Southeastern Conference. First is the high octane offense of Texas A&M. This team was spectacular as far as putting up points on the offensive end last season. However the defense struggle for the most part all season, but that went on alot in the Big 12. I like to see the expansion of conferences so this really caught my attention. The move for the Aggies will test just how good they are against defensive powerhouses. Losing a promising quarterback in Ryan Tannehill and explosive running back in Cyrus Gray, will in most cases hurt the Aggies on the offensive side of the ball. With a veteran group on the defensive side, I believe it will sink in to their heads, that they cant lack on defense or there will be consequences. With Sophmore Jameill Showers under center, he has big shoes to fill. He does have senior running backs Christine Michael and Ben Malena to help in the backfield. Senior Ryan Swoope will help Showers out as he did with Tannehill to ease the pressure on such a young quarterback.
Prediction: Overall (6-6) Conference (2-6)
- Missouri Tigers: Last Season: Overall (8-5)* Conference (5-4)
The second team from the Big 12 in the Missouri Tigers. Like most of the other Big 12 teams, Mizzou is a high octane offense and their defense is slightly better. Alot of people dont give Missouri a chance to succeed in the SEC which is appauling. With sophmore returning quarterback James Franklin, why would Missouri stand a chance? Franklin who can scramble and make accurate passes, is in the same personel as Tim Tebow was at Florida. However Franklin doesent have that veteran player on his team to lead, so he must take it upon himself to be a leader. So far Franklin is living up to the potential he is given. With mostly freshmen and sophmores starting at most positions on offense and defense, Mizzou might be vulnerable to lose control in critical situations. This is a big move for the Tigers to a different conference and alot is going to have to change if they want to win games. Franklin will be the key to a successful.
Prediction: Overall (8-4) Conference (4-4)
- Arkansas Razorbacks: Last Season: Overall (11-2)* Conference (6-2)
If I didnt know any better, I would have thought the Razorbacks where in the Big 12 because of their ability to light up the scoreboard. Arkansas had a terrific season capped off by a Cotton Bowl win vs Kansas State. However, this season will be alot different I believe. Joe Adams, Greg Childs and Jarius Wright all have left Arkansas and went to the NFL. That spell trouble for Tyler Wilson and that offense. With hardly any experience at the wide receiver spots Tyler Wilson will have to do something this training camp to propel his young receivers into being stars. If that wasnt a loss, the Razorbacks fired head coach Bobby Petrino after off the field issues and hired John L Smith. The transition will be huge for the Razorbacks as they embark on staying a float in the SEC dealing with LSU and Alabama in the West. The Razorbacks have their hands full with the SEC opener vs Alabama September 15 at home.
Prediction: Overall (8-4) Conference (4-4)
- South Carolina Gamecocks: Last Season: Overall (11-2)* Conference (6-2)
After a remarkable season last year, the Gamecocks are looking forward to a year in the SEC in which they finish as a "Top Dog". South Carolina was a play or two away from playing in the SEC Championship and possibly a BCS bowl game, after losing to Auburn 13-16 at home. For losing a very explosive running back in Marcus Lattimore to a knee injury and senior quarterback Stephen Garcia due to off the field issues, the Gamecocks played as if though they didn't need the two. Junior quarterback Connor Shaw will start under center and look to continue a fine legacy he has started in Colombia. Coach Spurreior has 6 seniors returning to the defensive side of the ball, which equals a nightmare for opposing offenses. The one loss South Carolina has is the departure of last their leading wide receiver for last year Alshon Jeffery, to the NFL. Other than that, I expect South Carolina to have another excellent season.
Prediction: Overall(11-1) Conference(7-1)
- Georgia Bulldogs: Last Season: Overall (10-4)* Conference (7-1)
Defending SEC East Champs and SEC Championship runner-up Georgia, will not be a cake walk for any team who play a very scrappy Bulldog team. Georgia started last season 0-2 and looked very discombobulated. Something got the Bulldogs going and after the thrilling 45-42 loss to South Carolina, Georgia won 10 games in a row to make it to the SEC Championshp. However, they came up short after facing a very tough and dominant LSU team, who ran the Bulldogs out of the Georgia Dome in a 42-10 route. If that was depressing enough, the Dogs lost to Michigan State in the Outback Bowl in which they lead most of the game. The Bulldogs return junior Aaron Murray to start under center and explosive senior wide receiver Tavarres King to lead the high potent offense. After legal issues, Isaiah Crowell was removed from the team and transfered from Athens. Crowell would have been a big key in Georgia making it back to the SEC Championship. The Bulldogs return a starting defense defense of 11 juniors and seniors, who will look to make their presence felt on their side of the ball. The Bulldogs will compete neck and neck to see who comes out of a less than impressive SEC East with their toughest competition in the South Carolina Gamecocks. Luckily the Dogs dont have to play LSU or Alabama this season which could mean an easy road back to the SEC Championship game
Prediction: Overall(11-1) Conference(7-1)
- LSU Tigers: Last Season: Overall (13-1)* Conference (8-0)
There is nothing you can't say bad about these Tigers. Last season, this was one of the most spectacular LSU teams I have seen as far as I can remember watching College Football. Defense was the key to the Tigers Success last season. The offense was a bit shakey at times, but seemed to get the job done when it counted. After going undefeated in the conference and winning the SEC Championship, this team looked unstoppable. They defeated Alabama in what some called "The Game of The Century", in Tuscaloosa 9-6. Why couldn't they do it again in the BCS Title rematch? That still blows my mind. Last season is a blast in the bast if you travel to Baton Rouge and speak with coaches and players. LSU is focused and on a mission to take what should have been theirs last season. With junior quarterback Zack Mettenberger to take over for Jarret Lee and Jordan Jefferson, the offense may look different depending on how Mettenberger responds to the defenses he will see. The Tigers are only 4 men deep at the wide reciever position which could cause trouble in throwing situations in case of injuries. The defense is back and ready to go lead by junior cornerback Tyrann Mathieu also know as the "Honeybadger" and safety Eric Reid. Les Miles has put it in his teams head to go out, give it their all, and just take care of business and I think they will do so.
Prediction: Overall (11-1) Conference (7-1)
- Alabama Crimson Tide: Last Season: Overall (12-1)* Conference (7-1)
Alabama showed why they were the best team in all of College Football last season. They won the BCS Championship. However, the defending BCS National Champs come in to the season losing alot of star power on the defensive end to the NFL. We all know coach Nick Saban can recruit the best players from any position, and from anywhere in the country. So putting together a core of young defensive players to replace last years defense will be a challenge, but most likely an easy one for Saban. Sophmore quarterback AJ McCarron will start under center and pick up where he left off as being the 2012 BCS Championship offensive MVP. The Tide come in with expectations of repeating as National Champions which in this day in age is a very hard task, especially if you're playing in the SEC. Alabama will be an extremely young team come this fall with hardly any experience on both sides of the ball. This season looks to be a rebuilding year for Alabama, as they might fall down the rankings this season becasue of their youth and inexperience. However, Nick Saban's coaching ability is never in question, so dont expect the Tide to play horrible football, expect to see championship calibar football played for 60 minutes. Bama will have a very tough task in the season opener vs the Michigan Wolverines lead by quarterback Denard Robinson, in Dallas. I think with young talent, Bama will have ups and downs, but be on top once again in a few years.
Prdiction: Overall (9-3) Conference (6-2)
Final Prediction: I think South Carolina will represent the SEC East in the Championship game after taking care of Georgia during the regular season. As far as the SEC West, I believe LSU will return to the SEC Championship game in a easy route to get there. However, if injury free, I expect South Carolina to come out on top and win the SEC Title.
* Team has played in post-season
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