I’ve got to go with the obvious choices. I’d love to go with Georgia over Fl and there’s a chance, but I don’t believe Ga can beat Fl. Florida has too many weapons on offense. ‘Bama is my choice for the West, another consensus pick. The Tide’s offense should be prolific with McElroy, Ingram, Richardson, Julio, Maze and Hanks and a solid offensive line anchored by William Vlachos and Barrett Jones. Arkansas is the team that should give ‘Bama the most trouble, but the Tide should outscore them on Sept. 25 in Fayetteville. The secondary is a concern, really the whole defense is, but particularly the secondary. But I have heard good things about DeQuan Menzie and Dre Kirkpatrick the starting corners. You know Mark Barron will be great and Robert Lester is a four-star talent. There are some talented players behind them. Will Marcell Dareus play? That is a big question mark. He would really help the line. Josh Chapman should be good in the middle. Hightower and Courtney Upshaw will be solid at lbs. Hightower is special. Upshaw could be, too. The defense will keep improving throughout the season, just need to stay healthy.
Auburn’s fortunes are centered on Cam Newton and injuries. Cam Newton is a highly regarded talent but hasn’t taken a snap in the SEC. I saw a few passes he threw in the Spring game and he has an arm no doubt. There are some great playmakers at wide receiver in Adams, Zachery and Carr among others. Freshmen like Trovon Reed have stepped up. Running back is talented with Fannin, McCalebb and frosh Dyer, but they can’t afford to get injured. Not much depth there. O line should be very good. Defense needs to stay healthy. There is plenty of talent there, but some frosh will play key roles as backups. Bynes, Stevens and guys like Etheridge and Savage will need to be leaders. Good group, just not real deep though the frosh linebackers are talented. Dline will count on some frosh like Lemonier and Whittaker to produce. Mike Blanc, Nick Fairly and others will have to lead them.
Alabama has some young kickers and Auburn has Byrum back. AU’s return game with Washington should be good on kickoffs. Alabama has some exciting options, Julio and Trent.
Here is my predicted order of finish in the West, East and SEC champ game along with my national champ pick.
West:
1. Alabama-See above
2. Arkansas-Getting closer. Not enough defense yet. Gunning for ‘Bama Sept. 25, but have to go to Ga the week before.
3. Auburn-Getting there, but not sure about Newton, and injuries could play a role.
4.LSU-I just don’t think Miles can get it done. Not sure Jordan Jefferson is the answer at quarterback. A lot of talent, but just can’t seem to get it done under Miles.
5. Ole Miss-Could surprise some people if Jeremiah Masoli produces. Lost some good players though there is talent coming back at running back. Houston Nutt is optimistic. Always seems to pull off an upset or two.
6. Miss. State-Dan Mullen trying to build a winner at a tough place to win. Not sure if Relf can get it done at qb. Probably will be better on offense and State always has good defensive players and olinemen.
East:
1. Florida-Think John Brantley will be the real thing. Maybe a better passer than Tebow and there are so many weapons around him: Rainey, Demps, Thompson, Debose. Fl. should be strong offensively. Defense may struggle a little with some key losses from last year’s team, Brandon Spikes and Joe Haden. Still offense good enough to carry them.
2.Georgia-Close to Florida, but who knows what’s going to happen to Ealey at running back? He may get back on team in time for game two at South Carolina. Aaron Murray should be pretty good at qb and oline should be good. Defense is implementing 3-4 and looks like they’ll be more aggressive this year. Should be in good shape when they meet Florida in Jacksonville Oct. 30 for what should decide the East.
3.South Carolina-Trouble with players staying in a hotel in offseason. Steve Spurrier just can’t get a break. They looked to be a possible division winner coming into the season and there is more talent on this team. But will Stephen Garcia finally get it done? Don’t think he’s good enough to beat Fl and Ga though they do have Ga at home. on Sept 11. Could be a classic there. Just not enough in the tank to beat Fl this year. Georgia game a tossup though I give a slight edge to the ‘Dogs.
4. Kentucky-Joker Phillips trying to keep Ky going to bowl games and take them to the next level. He seems to have a good plan, but it’s hard to compete with the big boys in the East. Got some weapons in Randall Cobb (tremendous player) and Derrick Locke. Mike Hartline will start at qb, but Morgan Newton should get time and he’s an excellent athlete. Kentucky playing solid football. Getting better. Not elite, but improving. Defense always a question mark.
5. Tennessee-Total rebuilding project for Derek Dooley. Tough assignment, but think he’ll get it done ultimately. Offensive line very thin and lacking any experience. QB Simms new. They will struggle.
6. Vandy-Robbie Caldwell has injected enthusiasm in the program with his outgoing personality. He’s trying to build a program that can make it to bowl games in the future. This probably won’t be the year. Just don’t have enough horses. Have some, but not enough.
SEC Championship: Alabama over Florida, 31-24.
BCS championship: Alabama over Ohio State, 24-10.
Bowl teams in SEC: Florida (BCS, most likely Sugar), Arkansas (something like the Citrus) Auburn (should see New Year’s bowl, Outback something like that). LSU (Chick Filet), Georgia (Should have better bowl this year, possibly a New Year’s Day bowl). South Carolina (Liberty Bowl maybe All-American again). Outside shots: Ole Miss (depends on Masoli if he is even the starter). Kentucky (With Randall Cobb it’s possible). Miss. State (probably not, will take too many lumps in SEC). Vandy and Tennessee hoping to win some games.
(Greg McElroy and S will try to repeat this year for the first time since Nebraska in ’94-’95)