College Preview- SEC

Finally we get to my absolute favorite conference...often imitated, never duplicated...the SEC! I don't care what the snooty sports writers from the northeast say, it is the strongest, deepest, and most competitive conference in division I. Three of the last four national champs have come out of the SEC. Five in the last 12 years. Obviously not every SEC team could beat any other team, for example, Vandy is probably not going to beat USC. There are no doormats in this league. Anyone can beat anyone. Ole Miss came close to knocking out LSU last year. In fact, LSU's two losses were to Kentucky and Arkansas. Georgia, this year's pre-season darlings, were blown out by Tennessee last year...the Vols then went to Bama and got blown out by the Tide. The SEC currently has 5 head coaches who have won a national championship (Fulmer, Spurrier, Meyer, Saban, Miles). Here are the picks...

East Division-

• Florida- Many are picking Georgia here, but I don't see it. Florida is retooled on defense, Tebow and Percy Harvin are back with another stable of playmakers. Speed is a dime a dozen on this team and Meyer seems to have a chip on his shoulder stemming from last seasons loss to Georgia in which the Dawgs ran into the endzone after their first td. Meyer's just pissed he didn't think of it.
• Georgia- Loaded on defense, with Stafford and Moreno in the backfield...I can see why they were picked by many to win the SEC and be #1 pre-season. In case you haven't looked at their schedule it is ridiculous! Besides their divisional games (Florida, Tenn, S. Carolina, KY) and their annual matchup with Georgia Tech, they play at Arizona St., Alabama, at Auburn and at LSU! Ouch! Good luck with that Uga!
• Tennessee- Rocky Top was a 4th quarter turnover away from the SEC title last year. Not the national powerhouse they were 10 years ago but they can compete, they are capable of beating Georgia and Florida. Return an O-line that gave up only 4 sacks a year ago. Secondary is one of the strongest in the country.
• South Carolina- The Ol' Ball Coach hasn't been able to replicate the magic he created in Gainesville, though he can still recruit. Defense is stout, but the offense has too many question marks.
• Kentucky- Offense won't be so prolific this year but the defense should be good. They will see a drop off from last years success. Still can't beat Tennessee in football.
• Vanderbilt- Will never be a force in the SEC but you can't sleep on these guys. They are well coached and can beat anybody in the SEC. Not the doormat they once were.

West Division-

• Auburn- New offensive coordinator is implementing the spread offense which should help what has been an anemic offense the last couple of years. Defense is always a force here! They always have great athletes and great recruiting. All of their tough games are at home. Should translate into a trip to Atlanta.
• LSU- Lost Perriloux and that hurt the offense, though they retained some great skill players and the offensive line from a year ago. Also return a great d line...will the defense be as good without Pelini? I might have picked them to win the division but they go to Auburn this year where they never seem to win.
• Alabama- Saban is slowly instilling some discipline here...but they're not up to snuff with Auburn and LSU yet. Great recruiting will eventually pay off for the Tide. Haven't beat Auburn in a while!
• Mississippi St.- Defense was the key to the Bulldogs success last year. That remains intact with an improving offense. Wesley Carroll could be something special at qb. Croom is finally seeing some dividends.
• Ole Miss- Hiring Houston Nutt was a great move. He was able to bring in former Texas qb Jevan Snead. Things are looking up for the Rebels but they still have a long way to go.
• Arkansas- Petrino should eventually be able to instill a powerfull offense here but it's going to take a while considering the current offensive players were recruited for a run specific offense. He was left with nothing...not that he doesn't deserve it.

Florida v. Auburn for the SEC championship with Florida winning and taking a trip to the BCS championship game and winning that too. I'm going to predict they beat USC in the title game (thank goodness no Ohio St!)