SEC Season Preview

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

SEC Predictions

Every year the SEC has a representative in the National Title game. This year shouldn't be any different. The SEC is the premier conference in college football and will have several teams ranked in the top 25 all year long.

Here is how I believe the SEC will play out this upcoming college football season.

East

1. South Carolina Gamecocks, 10-2 (7-1)

After some years of struggling, Steve Spurrier finally has the Gamecocks a yearly contender for the SEC East Championship and for the SEC Title. This year should be no different. QB Stephen Garcia is back and so is ultra talented RB Marcus Lattimore. If Garcia can stay out of trouble and limit turnovers the Gamecocks will find their way back into the SEC Title Game, and maybe have a chance to win it.

2. Florida Gators, 7-5 (4-4)

Florida struggled in their first year in the post Tebow era, but that was understandable since they had pro style QB John Brantley trying to run a spread running attack. Now that Charlie Weis is now the OC the offense will be built around the stengths of Brantley. On defense HC Will Muschamp will bring some attitude back to a team that seemed to loose that the past couple of years. I'd watch out for Ronald Powell who Muschamp could use much like he did with Brian Orakpo and Sergio Kindle.

3. Georgia Bulldogs, 7-5 (4-4)

A lot of people are higher on Georgia than I am, but I'm just not seeing it. They'll really miss what AJ Green did for their offense and with Caleb King being ineligible will put a lot of pressure on true freshman Isaiah Crowell. However their defense will be strong and Aaron Murray is a very good quarterback. They could surprise me, but I think a 7 or 8 wins is all they will get.

4. Tennessee Volunteers, 6-6 (2-6)

There were a lot of qustion marks about Tennessee last year leading up to the season and after starting the season at 2-6 it was looking like a lost season. However QB Tyler Bray emerged and the Vounteers rallied to win their final four games against the SEC celler dwellers. I have a feeling this year might be very similar. They'll struggle against the top level teams and have a chance against the Vanderbilt'\s and the Mississippi's. However if Tyler Bray can elevate his game they could surprise a few teams and finish with better than two or three wins.

5. Kentucky Wildcats, 6-6 (2-6)

Kentucky finished last season with two wins in the confernece and I don't see them winning more than that this year. Last year they were blessed with two talented offensive weapons in Derek Locke and Randall Cobb. Both are gone and that leaves them without many other options. I would not be surprised if they went winless in confernce play either.

6. Vanderbilt Commodores, 5-7 (2-6)

After going hard after Gus Malzahn to be their head coach they ended up getting James Franklin who was the OC at Maryland. Now Vanderbilt is not a destination job by any means, but the Franklin hired is a dud in my opinion. He was the OC but Maryland's offenses where not anything to brag about. And he'll be coaching in the toughest conference in the NCAA and against some of the best defenses in all of college football. Its an uphill battle and they have a long way to go.

West

1. Alabama Crimson Tide, 12-0 (8-0)

Its crzay how talented the SEC is when Alabama last year had a veteran QB and three first round picks and all the rest of that talent and lost three conference games. This year should be different. The Crimson Tide are loaded on defense and are going to make it very difficult for teams to score on them. The real question mark will be at quarterback. They have Phillip Sims and AJ McCarron battling out at quarterback, but look for the Tide to rely on Trent Richardson to carry the early load till whoever wins the QB race gets more comfortable. But none the less the Tide will be the team to beat and have a great shot to make it back to the National Title game for the second time in three years.

2. LSU Tigers, 10-2 (7-1)

The Bayou Bangles might be one of the most talented teams in all of college football but their success will all be dependent on how well Jordan Jefferson plays at quarterback. Jefferson is very talented, but often makes bone headed decisions that really costs the team. If he can improve his decision making the Tigers will be a National Title contender. But if he doesn't, all will be for not and they'll find themselves back in the Cotton Bowl. No pressure huh?

3. Arkansas Razorbacks, 9-3 (6-3)

Its too bad that the Razorbacks aren't in the SEC East where they would be the favorite to win the division. However they are in the West where 4 out of the 6 teams have a legit shot to win the division (instead of one in the East). Arkansas took a big jump last year finishing with a 10-3 record and a birth in their first BCS Bowl. The good thing is that they return all their skill position players but they have to replace some key starters along the offensive line. They also lost QB Ryan Mallett, but replace him with Taylor Wilson who might not have the physical talents of Mallett, but is a much better decision maker which better suits the offense. The key will be the defense. Bobby Petrino is known for his offenses, but not for his defenses. If they can stop the likes of Alabama and LSU they'll have a shot to win the divison, but that might be too hard of an accomplishment.

4. Mississippi State Bulldogs, 8-4 (4-4)

Mississippi State hit a home run hire when they got Dan Mullen from Florida. Mullen has turned the Bulldogs from SEC West bottom dweller to a 9 win team last year. They are lead by QB Chris Relf who has done a good job running Mullen's spread offense. They have to replace some key linebackers, but the Bulldogs should find themselves in that 8 to 9 win category. But just like Arkansas its too bad they play in the West and not the East where they would contend for a division title rather than having to challenge Alabama and LSU for the West Title.

5. Auburn Tigers, 6-6 (3-5)

You don't see teams win the National Title and they go .500 or wose the next year, but that could very well happen this year. Last year Auburn had the best offensive player in the country in Cam Newton and the most dominant defensive player in Nick Fairley. Those two players elevated a medicore team into a National Title. Both are gone and the Tigers are going to feel it. But Gene Chizik and company are hoping the experience they got last year and the young talent they brought in will allow them to make it to a bowl game. But It will be a long season in Tiger country.

6. Mississippi Rebels, 3-9 (0-8)

I bet Ole Miss fans were wishing that the University didn't fire David Cuttcliff who had the Rebels as a constant 9 win team and yearly bowl appearances. However after they have fired him they had to endure the Ed Orgeron era and now Houston Nutt. Nutt has had one good year (with Orgeron's players) but has struggled since. This year shouldn't be any different. The Rebels don't have the talent and its going to show. They'll be lucky to win a game in conference and Nutt will probably be goon in two or three years.

Offensive Player of the Year: Trent Richardson RB Alabama

Defensive Player of the Year: Devin Taylor DE South Carolina

Freshman of the Year: Isaiah Crowell RB Georgia

Coach of the Year: Steve Spurrier, South Carolina

All SEC Team

QB: Taylor Wilson, Arkansas

RB: Trent Richardson, Alabama

RB: Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina

WR: Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina

WR: Greg Childs, Arkansas

TE: Phillip Lutzenkirchen, Auburn

T: Cordy Glenn, Georgia

G: Larry Warford, Kentucky

C: William Vlachos, Alabama

G: Josh Dworaczyk, LSU

T: DJ Fulker, Alabama

DE: Devin Taylor, South Carolina

DT: Jaye Howard, Florida

DT: Josh Chapman, Alabama

DE: Ronald Powell, Florida

LB: Courtney Upshaw, Alabama

LB: Jerry Franklin, Arkansas

LB: Chris Marve, Vanderbilt

CB: Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama

S: Robert Lester, Alabama

S: Mark Barron, Alabama

CB: Stephon Gilmore, South Carolina

K: Blair Walsh, Georgia

P: Drew Butler, Georgia

KR/PR: Joe Adams, Arkansas