If Ohio State players and faithful insist the we go the “The Citadel” route and use The in front of Ohio State (which they pronounce Thee) to be respectful of all things Buckeye; then how can we simply say SEC? Are we not obligated to use the adjectival “mighty” to capture the true essence of SEC accomplishments of recent?
Ok …you get it… I am poking fun at those dopes from OSU and their use of Thee. I am not implying and you should not infer any disrespect aimed at the SEC’s dominance of the three historically American sports, Baseball (Arizona broke a three year championship run by beating the SEC’s South Carolina in 2012), Basketball (Ok… you’re right… not dominance .. but Kentucky did win it this year) and Football… 6 national championships and counting! They simply are the best college athletic conference in the country!
The SEC consists of two divisions, East and West, with seven universities on each side of the conference. In the East, we have Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Kentucky, and newcomer, Missouri. While the West fields, Alabama, Auburn, LSU, Arkansas, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, and newcomer, Texas A&M.
East Division
Georgia: Aaron Murray is the best QB in the SEC or at least that was the thought going into the season a year ago. You would get an argument from Fayetteville, Arkansas heading into 2012 season that, their guy, Tyler Wilson, is the best the SEC has to offer. While Wilson passed for more yards, threw 8 fewer int.’s, and had a better completion percentage in 2011; Murray passed for 11 more TD’s, extends plays in the pocket with his feet, and is fast enough to escape when a called play goes south. The “Dwags” best runner, Isaiah Crowell, has been dismissed from the team for two felony charges, one involving a concealed weapon (gun). This opens the door for their prize recruit, Keith Marshall, who is considered, by many, to be as good as Crowell (Crowell was the # 1 Running back in his class) coming out of high school. Wide receiver, Tavarres King, is one of the best in the SEC and has the speed to take it to the house an any given reception. The O-line returns just two starters and will need time to grow, to that end their early schedule will assist them. Their D-line and linebacker corps are among the best in the country and Georgia’s secondary returns 4 of its top 5! Prediction: First
South Carolina: QB Conner Shaw passed for 1300 plus yards and was the second leading rusher (525) for the Gamecocks, behind Marcus Lattimore, in the 2011 season. Lattimore, who many believe is the most talented runner in the country, struggled with the injury bug a year ago, but appears healthy and ready to go in 2012. Surprisingly, a Steve Spurrier led team is relatively inexperienced at wide receiver and will need time to develop in this realm. The “Cocks” front seven is among the nations best, but their secondary loses all four starters. Obviously, their front seven, led by Devin Taylor and Jadeveon Clowney will need to pressure the pass and clean up the run to give the D-back unit time to develop; they will… they are that good! Prediction: Second
Florida: It is always a gamble to take an offensive or defensive coordinator as a first-time head coach; especially if he is from outside the fold, and give him the reigns to a high powered program like Florida. The learning curve for a first time head coach is significant and at a place like ND, Texas, SC, or Florida …. it is immense. Their are so many intangibles in this type of position that one really never knows how a coach who has been successful at the football side (coordinator) will do when exposed to all sides of the equation. The Will Muschamp (7-6) scenario is certainly one of the reasons, among others, as to why I have the Gators ranked third, not first, in the East. The QB projected starter, Jeff Driskel, passed for the grand total of 148 yards last season, 0 TD’s, and 2 INT’s. They are also inexperienced at running back, where Jeff Demps & Chris Rainey, two speed merchants, have left the building. Mike Gillislee is currently penciled in as the starter at RB. At wide out, Andre Debose is one of the SEC’s best, as is TE, Jordan Reed. The O-line brings back 4 of 5 and should be one of the best units on the team! Florida has a D-line that is as good as any in the country and that remains true, even after losing Ronald Powell for the season with a knee injury in the spring game. The line backer and secondary corps are also viewed as being among the nation’s best. Florida may field the # one defense in the SEC in 2012! Prediction: Third
Tennessee: Derek Dooley is one of the coaches whose seat is no longer warm… it is hot! He needs to win at least 7 games and get to a bowl this year. There is a high probability this story will have a happy ending 2012. QB Tyler Bray is an excellent signal caller and has two of the best receivers in the country in Da’rick Rogers and Justin Hunter. These two are second only to USC’s Robert Woods & Marqise Lee as the best tandem of receivers in college football. Although, we may get an argument from West Virginia’s Tavon Austin & Stedman Bailey. The running back position should produce greater numbers do, in part, to last years low production. Phil Steel believes that the Volunteers O-line may be the most improved unit in the nation. On defense, the Vols should out preform last years groups at each of the three levels. They are talented and experienced at all three defensive levels. Prediction: Fourth
Missouri: Welcome to “Big Boy Football” as they like to say down in SEC country. The show me state is about to be shown a different perspective on the running game and how defense is played in Dixie. In the Big 12, the teams seem to understand that in order to win a championship, you have to play defense; in the SEC, championships be damned, they want to play defense. Clearly, a different concept! The Tigers QB, James Franklin, passed for 2,865 and rushed for another 981 yards. These numbers will be fun to keep an eye on vs the stronger SEC defenses. At running back, Henry Josey, first team all Big 12, is the featured back at 1,168 rushing yards a year ago. The Tigers did land the nations top recruit this past for 2012; wide receiver, Dorial Green-Beckham, who should contribute immediately irrespective of the conference. The O-line will take some time to learn the SEC as the front sevens will be superior to those that they faced in the Big 12. The D-line is led by Brad Madison, Sheldon Richardson, a JUCO transfer, and speed rusher, Shane Ray. Zaviar Gooden and Andrew Wilson are their best linebackers, while the D-backs feature EJ Gaines, an outstanding corner and excellent athlete. Prediction: Fifth
Vanderbilt: Vandy’s Coach, James Franklin, ( no relation to Missouri’s QB) has one of the toughest jobs in all of college football. Vanderbilt’s academic standards are among the highest in the nation, its stadium seats less than 40,000, and it plays in the best conference in the country. Recruiting can be extremely challenging as one is limited by academic standard, not only in signing an athlete, but who you can even target as a potential recruit. In other words, for every 100 SEC caliber football players that the conference recruits, the Commodores may have to take 50 or more off the board that they, simply cannot get into school. While for their SEC counterparts, it’s full speed ahead, as they have access to all 100 players. That means 50 players are gone off the top and now they must compete with Alabama, LSU, Florida, Georgia, etc.. for the remaining 50 recruits. Simply put, Coach Franklin is fighting with one hand tied behind his back. QB, Jordan Rodgers passed for 1524 yards in 2011 and ran for another 420. He threw 9 TD’s to 10 INT’s and had a 50% completion rate. Zac Stacy was Vandy’s leading rusher in 011 with 1193 yards gained and Jordan Matthews (19.0 yards per catch) has developed into an excellent receiver. On defense, the Commodores are not at the same level as their SEC competitors. Their D-line, Linebackers, and D-backs are made up of players with inferior talent, but somehow, Vandy continues to play close games in the conference. Last year,Vandy lost to Florida 21-26, Georgia 28-33, Tennessee 21-27, & Arkansas 28-31. Amazing! Prediction: Sixth
Kentucky: A year ago, Maxwell Smith and Morgan Newton split time at QB and this competition will continue into fall camp. The Wildcats leading rusher, CoShik Williams, ran for 486 yards, while Josh Clemons, ran for 279. These numbers need to improve if Kentucky is going to have a chance to advance their win total (5-7 ) from a year ago. At wide out, La’rod King is their best receiver (40 receptions 598 yards, & 14.9 yards per catch.), he is the only receive to have more than 10 catches heading into 2012 season. The O-line does have an outstanding player in Larry Warford, a second team all SEC selection a year ago and Matt Smith should provide solid play for this unit! Kentucky’s best player on defense is strong safety, Martavius Neloms, that said, he does not have a lot of help in front or along side of him. Prediction: Seventh
West Division
LSU: This team has star power on both sides of the ball and as important, they have depth on either side of the line of scrimmage. QB was an issue in 2011 and Les Miles is hoping that Zach Mettenburger will provide some answers to having a consistent passing attack. The running back position is in the capable hands of Spencer Ware and wide outs, Russell Shepard (talented… but not as productive as ability suggests) and Odell Beckham provide the means to improve numbers at both RB & WR positions. The O-line has all five starters back, their average height and weight is 6’6” / 323 and they have quality depth at each position. On Defense, the line has four of the best players in the conference, Sam Montgomery, Barkevious Mingo, Anthony Johnson and Bernie Logan. The LB corp features Kevin Minter and the defensive backs are led by All-American cornerback Tyrann Mathieu and 2nd team All SEC, strong safety, Eric Reid. They play Alabama at home this year on Nov. 3rd…probably at night! Prediction: First
Alabama: The Tide has won two of the last three national championships and are in a position to challenge for a third in 2012. QB AJ McCarron returns after leading his team to the national championship in 2011; he completed 67% of his passes, while throwing for 2,634 yards (16 TD’s to 5 INT’s.). Eddie Lacy rushed for 674 yards in 2011 in a back up roll to Trent Richardson and will be the starter in 2012. Duron Carter (Chris Carter’s son), Kenny Bell, & Kevin Norwood should be a step in the right direction to replacing Marquis Maze. The O-line may be the best in the country, this unit is led by Barrett Jones, the Outland Award winner for best o-Lineman in the nation. The D-line has added JUCO talent in 2011, Jesse Williams at 6’4” / 319, who will continue to control the 0/1 seams at nose tackle. The LB’s were hit by the NFL Draft Dant’a Hightower (1st round pick) & Courtney Upshaw (2nd round pick). However, Nico Johnson and CJ Mosley return and this unit will remain one of the nations best! D-backs are led by CB Dee Milliner & strong safety Robert Lister. The game on Nov 3 in Baton Rouge will determine second or first place in the West for the Tide. Prediction: Second
Arkansas: QB Tyler Wilson is one of the toughest guys in the country at this position. He took some monster hits in the LSU and Alabama games and kept on keeping on throughout the game. Impressive! He passed for plus 3,600 yards with a 4 to 1 TD to INT rate! The only knock on this guy is his team’s performance in big games (Alabama 38-14 loss & LSU 41-17 pounding). If they are going to challenge in the West, Wilson must play better in these games. The good news is the Razorbacks get both the Tide & the Tigers at home! Knile Davis, one of the best running backs in America, returns after suffering a knee ending injury in 2011 and Cobi Hamilton will provide quality at the wide receiver position. The O-line returns only two starters and will need to transition quickly as Bama comes-A-calling in the third week of the season. The situation on defense is where Arkansas has a difficult time in hanging with LSU and Bama. Arkansas is strongest at the D-line position and Phil Steele rates them as the 26 best, while the D-backs come in at 39 and the LBs are not rated by Steele! These number need to improve or Arkansas will continue to struggle in when playing the elite in the SEC. Prediction: Third
Auburn: The Tigers have a very difficult September, they open with Clemson, travel to Mississippi State the next week, and end the month at home against LSU! If the Tigers are able to come to come out 1-1 in conference play or better, they will have set the stage to challenge Arkansas for third or perhaps a higher finish! The offensive backfield will have a different look as QB Brent Trotter (left early) and RB Michael Dyer (transfered to Arkansas State), early favorites to replace these guys are Kiehl Frazier at QB and Onterio McCalebb at RB. Both the offensive and defensive lines should be better then in 2011. The LB corps should improve on last years numbers and the D-backs should be one of the most improved units in the land! Prediction: Fourth
Texas A&M:
The second newcomer from the Big 12 seems to be the better fit, a football crazy state and one of the wildest fan bases in the country. Sadly, as in many other areas around the nation, traditional rivalries are being lost to conference realignment. As a result of A&M’s move to the SEC, they will not play Texas this season…. Oh well… they can still rustle each others cattle! They really do need to fix this and get back on the field ASAP! The Aggies will have a new signal caller, Johnny Manziel and a new RB, Christine (pronounced Chris tin) Michael. This is not the best scenario (new QB& RB) to enter a new conference, let alone, the best conference in the land, but in the words of Steve Murley, it is what it is… deal whit it…and life will get better! WR’s Ryan Swope & Uzoma Nwachukwu form one of the best receiving tandems in the country. While the O-line has 4 of its 5 starters back, it will be dealing with SEC front seven’s, a different animal then what they have seen in the Big 12’s! The D-line and D-backs will be down a tad and about as good respectively, the LB crew should be improved, this unit is led by Sean Potter, who is ably supported by Steven Jenkins & Jonathon Stewart. Prediction: Fifth
Mississippi State: This team can finish anywhere from third to seventh. QB Tyler Russell is a load, 6’4” 225, and his numbers should improve now that he is no longer sharing time with Chris Reif. The running game will be down do to the departure of 1000 yard rusher, Vick Ballard. He will be replaced by LaDarius Perkins. At wide out, they return their top four receivers and red shirt freshman, 6’4” Joe Morrow, is now ready to go as well! The O-line has only two starters returning and will need time to get up to get up to speed. The schedule is helpful to that end, the Bulldogs play Jackson State, Troy, & South Alabama all in September! On the D-line, State raided the JUCO ranks and brought in Denico Autry & Quay Evens, these two should provide immediate help! The line-backing corp is the best he has had according to Coach Mullen and the D-backs return 3 starters and their play should improve! Prediction: Sixth
Ole Miss: Hugh Freeze has returned to Oxford as the head coach, having been an assistant here from 2005 through 2007. He has 16 starters back, 8 aside, including his QB and should be favored in three of his first four games. That said, the third week of the season the Rebels take on Texas at home and then, in the 5th week, travel to Tuscaloosa to challenge Alabama! Hey… 3-2 is a good start! The next five weeks Mississippi play’s, A&M, Auburn, a bye week, at Arkansas, and at Georgia. The do get Vanderbilt @ home on November 10, but the next week, they head to Baton Rouge to battle LSU and end the season at home against in state rival Mississippi State. Coach Freeze is looking at 4 to possibly 5 wins in his first season! Prediction: Seventh
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