West
1. LSU Tigers (12-0, 8-0)Don't let the dismissal of Tyrann Mathieu fool you. The Tigers will be alright. They are still loaded on defense. The real key to their success will be the play of QB Zach Mettenburger. If he can jump start this offense then the Tigers will be a favorite to make it back to the National Title game. If not, it could be another season of relying on defense to win games.
2. Alabama Crimson Tide (11-1, 7-1)
Not too often do you hav the defending National Champion not favored to win their own division. But it's not really a knock on the Crimson Tide, mainly because of all the talent they lost on the defensive side of the ball. However the Crimson Tide offense should be much better mainly because of the experience of QB AJ McCarron. He continued development from game manager to playmaker will allow the Tide to be a contender once again.
3. Arkansas Razorbacks (9-3, 5-3)
If it wasn't for HC Bobby Petrino losing his mind and getting fired, I'd be half tempted to put the Razorbacks at the #2 spot in this division. They return stud QB Tyler Wilson and get back Knile Davis on offense and the defense continues to improve. However Petrino's absence and the presence of John L. Smith is going to cost them a win at some point.
4. Mississippi State Bulldogs (6-6, 2-6)
Two years ago it looked like Mississippi State was an up and comer in the league. However last year the Bulldogs just couldn't win the big one when they had a shot. This year their toss up games are at home but they just lack the fire power to really take over. Looks like another average year.
4. Texas A&M Aggies (6-6, 2-6)
A&M has always been an underachiever in the Big 12, so their addition to the SEC doesn't look like it will lead to a lot of success. Not only are they joining a new conference, but they are doing so with a new coaching staff. Kevin Sumlin takes over and brings his air raid spread offense to the SEC. We'll quickly find out if his system is that good, or just feasted off undermanded Conference USA defenses.
6. Auburn Tigers (5-7, 2-6)
Oh how things have changed for Auburn since winning the National Title two years ago. This past off season the Tigers had to replace both coordinators. Ted Roof left to Penn State, but that was probably a mutual decision. But the big loss is OC Gus Malzahn and his spread it out attack. Chizik replaced him with Scott Loeffler who was Temple's OC last year. Loeffler also brings a pro style attack to Auburn which is a pretty drastic change from Malzahn. With all the changes and the lack of true playmakers this will be another long season for the Tigers who will be fighting just to become bowl eligible.
7. Mississippi Rebels (4-8, 1-7)
Another year another basement finish projected for the Rebels. This year they'll be trying to break out under new head coach Hugh Freeze. Freeze returns (former assistant coach) to the Rebels after a successful season as the HC at Arkansas State. It's going to be a tough one for Freeze, but the schedule isn't overly brutal and they get to host A&M and Miss State. But if they make it to a bowl game, it's a big success.
East
1. South Carolina Gamecocks (10-2, 7-1)RB Marcus Lattimore returning from a knee injury is huge for the Gamecocks. While he was out last year the offense became to one demensinal and QB Connor Shaw struggled at times. Now Lattimore can help keep defenses honest and help the offense return to more of a balance attack. Defensively South Carolina lost a ton of talent, but they've done a great job of stock pilling players so there shouldn't be too big of a drop off. Expect a big year from Jadeveon Clowney.
2. Georgia Bulldogs (10-2, 6-2)
I really want to put the Bulldogs up at the top of the East, but their lack of a running game makes me hesitant. Otherwise they have it all. Good experienced QB, talent at the skill positions, and an elite defense. Their defense is especially good with Jarvis Jones rushing the passer and creating havor. But the key to their season will be developing a running game. If not, it's likely a 2nd place finish here.
3. Florida Gators (8-4, 5-3)
Is this going to be the year where all their raw talent comes together and we see Florida contending for an SEC Championship? Or will we see another average year with losses to teams that they normally beat? I'm leaning somewhere in the middle. I don't see them becoming beating out Georgia or South Carolina, but they are much better than the Missouri's and Vanderbilt's.
4. Vanderbilt Commodores (7-5, 4-4)
Vanderbilt is one of my surprise teams. Sure they won't go out and win the conference, but they will play much better than they did in previous years. A big reason is their HC James Franklin. Franklin has changed the culture at Vanderbilt and has a lot of positive energy around the program. No longer are teams looking forward to playing the Commodores.
5. Missouri Tigers (6-6, 3-5)
It's understandable why Missouri left the Big 12 for the SEC. Money and security. But their football program will suffer because of it. The Tigers were a constant threat to win the Big 12 North, but that was one weak division. Even at their top success, they never won the conference. Now they go into an even tougher conference and have to face off against elite defenses week in and week out. Good luck Missouri, because your going to need it this year.
5. Tennessee Volunteers (6-6, 3-5)
When your head coach is a the top of almost every hot seat article, you know your probably not in for a good year. Things were looking good. Tennessee returned starting QB Tyler Bray and had two top notch receivers for him to throw to. But then Da'Rick Rodgers got booted from the team and took one of their only playmakers away. But you have to admire the guy for making tough decisions like that in a year he may lose his job.
7. Kentucky Wildcats (4-8, 1-7)
It's a good thing Kentucky won the National Championship in basketball because that will take the sting away from Wildcat football. That's if most Kentucky fans actually follow the football team. All kidding aside it's going to be a long year. They have to replace 11 of their 22 starters. HC Joker Phillips will have to do his best coaching job if he wants a shot at his 5th season.
Preseason All Conference Team
QB: Tyler Wilson, Arkansas
RB: Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina
RB: Christine Michael, Texas A&M
WR: Justin Hunter, Tennessee
WR: Cobi Hamilton, Arkansas
TE: Phillip Lutzenkirchen, Auburn
OT: Chris Faulk, LSU
OG: Chance Warmack, Alabama
C: Barrett Jones, Alabama
OG: Larry Warford, Kentucky
OT: DJ Fluker, Alabama
DE: Sam Montgomery, LSU
DT: Sharrif Floyd, Florida
DT: John Jenkins, Georgia
DE: Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina
LB: Jarvis Jones, Georgia
LB: Nico Johnson, Alabama
LB: Sean Porter, Texas A&M
CB: Dee Milliner, Alabama
S: Eric Reid, LSU
S: Robert Lester, Alabama
CB: Jonathan Banks, Mississippi State
K: Caleb Sturgis, Florida
P: Steven Clark, Auburn
RS: Tre Mason, Auburn
Offensive Player of the Year: Tyler Wilson QB Arkansas
Defensive Player of the Year: Jarvis Jenkins OLB Georgia
Freshman of the Year: Dorial Green-Beckham WR Missouri
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