SEC West Preview
1. LSU – There are not many publications out there that are not calling for LSU to be the kings of the SEC this year. I’ve ever heard many say that the Tigers should have been in the National Championship game last year. Florida deserved to be in the BCS title game more than any other team in the country. They deserved it, LSU didn’t. This year, it could be LSU’s turn. The schedule is favorable as only 1 team they face on the road had a winning season last year. They do have to fave Virginia Tech though in week 2. They will have to beat VT and travel to Bama and win there in November though, as well as play hard every week as this will be a very competitive year in the SEC. It will be tough to replace a #1 draft pick and both starting receivers. The offense has just 6 starters back, and the defense has 8. The defense is the best in the conference and should be a spectacle to watch. Prediction. 11-1 (8-0).
2. Arkansas – This team returns a lot of talent from last years surprise 10 win season. The schedule gets tougher this year with road games at Tennessee, LSU, and Alabama. They also had some offseason turmoil (in the athletic department and with the team) that will hopefully not distract the players. They do have one of the best sets of RBs in the country. The defense returns only 6 starters and 4 out of the 6 tacklers are gone, so they will have some catching up to do on defense. Prediction: 9-3 (5-3)
3. Alabama – Is it an understatment to call Alabama a potential surprise team. Honestly, this team has the coaching to go 8-0 in the SEC. Nick Saban rolls into Tuscaloosa this year and brings with him his hand picked staff from across the country. Despite being 2-6 in the SEC last year, they outgained opponents by 32 yards per game. The offense returns 9 starters back including a veteren QB in John Parker Wilson and two great receivers in DJ Hall and Keith Brown. The passing game will open up a decent running game for whoever wins the starting job, most likely one of their top recruits, Terry Grant. The defense returns 6 starters. They get Georgia, Tennessee, Arkansas, and LSU at home. This will probably be the last year the college football has to prepare itself for the return of Alabama as a Top 5 team for the next 10 years. Prediction: 8-4 (5-3). (And picking them to lose 4 scares me, it could be a lot less).
4. Auburn – Unfortunately, I think Tommy Tuberville is going to be in the hot seat after this season. He shouldn’t be. He’s 22-3 in the SEC over the last 3 years and has been a national title contender numerous times in his tenure. But Tiger fans have short memories and this is certainly a rebuilding year at Auburn. The Tigers had 5 net close wins last year (normally a sign of a decline in win total this coming year), and are a very young team. They have just 12 scholarship seniors on the entire team. They have just 5 starters back on offense and 7 back on defense. The schedule is also very tough, travelling to Georgia, Florida, Arkansas, and LSU and playing an improved Kansas State team out of conference. I don’t see the Tigers vying for the SEC West this year, but should at least be bowl eligible. Prediction: 7-5 (3-5)
5. Mississippi State – The win-loss record doesn’t show it, but over the last 2 years the Bulldogs have been improving. During Croom’s first 2 years, the school was put on probation, lost scholarships (this is his 1st season with a full scholarship allotment), and over 20 players quit or got kicked off the team. Last year, they were 4 plays away from being 7-5 instead of 3-9. This season, they have 9 starters back on offense, but just 5 back on defense. If they can get lucky in a few games, they could be bowl bound. Prediction: 4-8 (1-7).
6. Mississippi – It could be another long year in Oxford. The Running Rebels to have 9 starters back on offense, and 6 starters back on defense. Coach Ed Orgeron is a top notch defensive coach though and the defense will once again be solid. Traditionally, coaches show a large improvement in their 3rd year and this team started 17 true freshman last year and will show signs of life this year for the first time since Eli left. But most of their winnable SEC games (Miss St, Vandy) are on the road and they play a tough Missouri team out of conference. Prediction: 3-9 (0-8)