As we get ready to kickoff another college football season, it's important to know where teams stand coming into the year. I will be leading you through each of the Big 5 conferences - along with the best of the rest - to get you ready and to let you know where I think your team will end up.
First up, the conference that is dominating everyone else - the SEC.
Losses: none
The Tide have won two straight national championships, racking up three in the last four seasons for head coach Nick Saban, and are the favorites again in 2013. That vaunted 'Bama defense returns 8 starters, and the offense returns all their key stars including senior quarterback A.J. McCarron, sophomore running back T.J. Yeldon, and wideout Amari Cooper.
Their schedule is favorable - but then again, you're favored to win every game if you're Alabama - but features two big showdowns against Texas A&M in College Station and at home against LSU. Beating Texas A&M is really the only thing the Tide haven't done under Saban (mostly because they've only played once), and you know he has this game circled as a big time revenge game against Johnny Manziel & company (Saban has the tape of last year's game on loop in the weight room). Alabama is coming off of a bye week as well, and the more time Saban has to prepare for you, the less likely you are to beat them.
I really, really think Alabama might lose one along the way because they've been too good for too long and they'll start to think they can take games lightly - if only for one game. However, McCarron and Saban provide extremely strong leadership for this squad and I'm sure this year's group will want to differentiate themselves from last years team, even if they do have most of the same players. The talent is there to make another title run, and the level of play at the skill positions is the highest its been in Tuscaloosa since Julio Jones and Mark Ingram. The line play on both sides of the ball will be solid again - because it always is - with a big part due to their recruiting efforts (by the way, how awesome of a recruiting tool is this?), massive weight room, and some deer antler spray.
When all is said and done, Alabama will be where they always are - playing for both an SEC and National Championship. They're just too good.
LSU is good, as always. The problem is, they're not as good as Alabama or Texas A&M. They have a chance to win one of those two games, most notably their home game against the Aggies, but they're just not as talented.
Only 3 starters return on defense for the Tigers - which isn't a huge deal since those sidelines in Baton Rouge are just stocked with grade-A athletes and football players - but that inexperience will likely hurt them in a few of their biggest games. Most of the offense returns, but the big question mark surrounds quarterback Zach Mettenberger. He is entering his second year as a starter, and lets just say he didn't exactly blow anyone away last year to put it nicely - there were a lot of extremely overthrown passes. The offensive line does return 3 starters and head coach Les Miles' talented running-back-by-committee approach, led by sophomore Jeremy Hill, should continue to be a strong point of the team.
The Tigers play two tough match ups in cross-division play, getting Florida at home and having to play at Georgia on top of their dates with Alabama and Texas A&M. I think they should handle Florida with relative ease because I don't know how Florida is going to score points, and Georgia QB Aaron Murray always has problems against top competition, meaning he will probably struggle against LSU. I like the Tigers to win both of those games.
LSU has one of the tougher schedules in the country, but that is nothing new to the Bayou Bengals. Coach Miles will manage to keep his team among the top teams in the conference, but just don't have the talent, experience, and horses to keep up with Alabama and A&M.
Ole Miss received a lot of hype this offseason because of their top-5 recruiting class they're bringing in this year, headlined by the nations No. 1 recruit Robert Nkemdiche, and rightfully so. However, it will be a while until all those players are able to really contribute at an SEC level. Head coach Hugh Freeze has increased the talent level of his squad every year he's been there, including a 7-5 campaign in 2012,
and while some are picking the Rebels to be a surprise team in the SEC, their schedule is extremely tough.
Being in the West, they have to play the big 3 of LSU, A&M, and 'Bama, all of which will in all likelihood be losses. Their 3 "toss-up" games - Mississippi State, Vandy, and Auburn - are all on the road, which is even worse when you have a young roster like Ole Miss does. Add on a non-conference road trip to face Texas, you're looking at quite a few losses.
Ole Miss should be an improved ball club this season with double-digit starters returning, including quarterback Bo Wallace, but their schedule just does not set up well. The Rebels are probably a year or two away, schedule permitting, of really competing in the SEC.
First up, the conference that is dominating everyone else - the SEC.
SEC West
1) Alabama 12-0 (8-0 in conference)
Wins: Virginia Tech (in Atlanta), at Texas A&M, Colorado State, Ole Miss, Georgia State, at Kentucky, Arkansas, Tennessee, LSU, at Mississippi State, Chattanooga, at AuburnLosses: none
The Tide have won two straight national championships, racking up three in the last four seasons for head coach Nick Saban, and are the favorites again in 2013. That vaunted 'Bama defense returns 8 starters, and the offense returns all their key stars including senior quarterback A.J. McCarron, sophomore running back T.J. Yeldon, and wideout Amari Cooper.
 |
| Championships have become a right of passage at Alabama |
I really, really think Alabama might lose one along the way because they've been too good for too long and they'll start to think they can take games lightly - if only for one game. However, McCarron and Saban provide extremely strong leadership for this squad and I'm sure this year's group will want to differentiate themselves from last years team, even if they do have most of the same players. The talent is there to make another title run, and the level of play at the skill positions is the highest its been in Tuscaloosa since Julio Jones and Mark Ingram. The line play on both sides of the ball will be solid again - because it always is - with a big part due to their recruiting efforts (by the way, how awesome of a recruiting tool is this?), massive weight room, and some deer antler spray.
When all is said and done, Alabama will be where they always are - playing for both an SEC and National Championship. They're just too good.
2) Texas A&M 11-1 (7-1)
Wins: Rice, Sam Houston State, SMU, at Arkansas, at Ole Miss, Auburn, Vanderbilt, UTEP, Mississippi State, at LSU, at Missouri
Losses: Alabama
The Aggies surprised everyone last year, their first in the SEC, beating Alabama in Tuscaloosa and Oklahoma in the Cotton Bowl on the way to an 11-2 record. Johnny Manziel returns, and after his tumultuous offseason, I don't think anyone is as ready for football season to start than him. Given that he's on the field and nothing comes of this current NCAA autograph situation, we shouldn't forget just how dominant the reigning Heisman Trophy winner can be when he's on the field.
If he manages to stay healthy/out of trouble for the entire season, A&M should be looking at another successful season.
Texas A&M began the offseason as the sexy, trendy pick to knockoff Alabama, go to the SEC Championship game and compete for a national title, and have since begun to be called overrated and that they're expected to take a step back (often by the very same people - funny thing about the offseason is how the perception of a team can change without them ever playing a game, but I guess that's what happens when we have 50 all-sports channels that need something to fill their time). Their schedule is about par for the course in the SEC - a couple of huge games, a few potential upsets, and a few cakewalks.
The Aggies to get Alabama at home this year, but the Tide are coming off a bye week and have MAJOR revenge on their minds (this will probably be one of the best games of the year in any sport at any level), and I think A&M will eventually lose a close one. The other tough game will be their trip to Death Valley to face LSU. This will be another marquee game of the college football season that will go down to the wire, but Manziel showed that he can play well on the road in tough environments last year and I think will ultimately pull the Aggies through late.
Unfortunately, one loss in the SEC West doesn't do anything except put them in good position for a BCS at-large spot, but Texas A&M, and Johnny Football, will be a force to be reckoned with this season.
The Aggies surprised everyone last year, their first in the SEC, beating Alabama in Tuscaloosa and Oklahoma in the Cotton Bowl on the way to an 11-2 record. Johnny Manziel returns, and after his tumultuous offseason, I don't think anyone is as ready for football season to start than him. Given that he's on the field and nothing comes of this current NCAA autograph situation, we shouldn't forget just how dominant the reigning Heisman Trophy winner can be when he's on the field.
Texas A&M began the offseason as the sexy, trendy pick to knockoff Alabama, go to the SEC Championship game and compete for a national title, and have since begun to be called overrated and that they're expected to take a step back (often by the very same people - funny thing about the offseason is how the perception of a team can change without them ever playing a game, but I guess that's what happens when we have 50 all-sports channels that need something to fill their time). Their schedule is about par for the course in the SEC - a couple of huge games, a few potential upsets, and a few cakewalks.
The Aggies to get Alabama at home this year, but the Tide are coming off a bye week and have MAJOR revenge on their minds (this will probably be one of the best games of the year in any sport at any level), and I think A&M will eventually lose a close one. The other tough game will be their trip to Death Valley to face LSU. This will be another marquee game of the college football season that will go down to the wire, but Manziel showed that he can play well on the road in tough environments last year and I think will ultimately pull the Aggies through late.
Unfortunately, one loss in the SEC West doesn't do anything except put them in good position for a BCS at-large spot, but Texas A&M, and Johnny Football, will be a force to be reckoned with this season.
3) LSU 10-2 (6-2)
Wins: TCU (at Cowboys Stadium), UAB, Kent State, Auburn, at Georgia, at Mississippi State, Florida, at Ole Miss, Furman, Arkansas
Losses: at Alabama, Texas A&M
Losses: at Alabama, Texas A&M
LSU is good, as always. The problem is, they're not as good as Alabama or Texas A&M. They have a chance to win one of those two games, most notably their home game against the Aggies, but they're just not as talented.
 |
| Jeremy Hill may have to carry the offensive load for LSU |
The Tigers play two tough match ups in cross-division play, getting Florida at home and having to play at Georgia on top of their dates with Alabama and Texas A&M. I think they should handle Florida with relative ease because I don't know how Florida is going to score points, and Georgia QB Aaron Murray always has problems against top competition, meaning he will probably struggle against LSU. I like the Tigers to win both of those games.
LSU has one of the tougher schedules in the country, but that is nothing new to the Bayou Bengals. Coach Miles will manage to keep his team among the top teams in the conference, but just don't have the talent, experience, and horses to keep up with Alabama and A&M.
4) Auburn 7-5 (3-5)
Wins: Washington State, Arkansas State, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Western Carolina, Florida Atlantic, at Arkansas
Losses: at LSU, at Texas A&M, at Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama
Auburn welcomes back former offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn as head coach after he worked as the head coach at Arkansas State for a year. In his absence, former coach Gene Chizik almost ran the program into the ground as the Tigers failed to win an SEC game a year ago. Usually new coaches face some sort of a learning curve, but I don't believe that will be the case with Malzahn. He knows the SEC from his previous stint at Auburn and had incredible amounts of success, winning the national championship 3 seasons ago. Most of the players on the roster are players he helped recruit to play in his system, so there won't be too big of a lag in learning a new system.
The problem, however, is those players. No one else is walking through that locker room door that has won a conference game in over a year. However, 4 starters return on the offensive line as well as leading rusher Tre Mason, who ran for over 1,000 yards last season. The defense was not very good last year, but most of the starters return and figure to be better than they were in 2012.
The big question mark revolves around the quarterback position. Junior Kiehl Frazier is a good runner, was recruited by Malzahn, and should be good in the spread offense, but the problem is he showed how terrible he is a passer last season. He is the front-runner for the job thanks to his dual-threat capabilities, but sophomore Jonathan Wallace, split time with Frazier last season and should compete for the job.
The good news for Auburn is their schedule. Almost all of their winnable games will be played at home, and should only have to win one road game to get to seven wins (which will likely come at Arkansas or at Tennessee). I think this sets the Tigers up to overachieve this season and get back to a bowl game, but it's pretty sad we're talking about a 7-win season meaning a team overachieved after winning a championship three years ago.
Auburn welcomes back former offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn as head coach after he worked as the head coach at Arkansas State for a year. In his absence, former coach Gene Chizik almost ran the program into the ground as the Tigers failed to win an SEC game a year ago. Usually new coaches face some sort of a learning curve, but I don't believe that will be the case with Malzahn. He knows the SEC from his previous stint at Auburn and had incredible amounts of success, winning the national championship 3 seasons ago. Most of the players on the roster are players he helped recruit to play in his system, so there won't be too big of a lag in learning a new system.
The problem, however, is those players. No one else is walking through that locker room door that has won a conference game in over a year. However, 4 starters return on the offensive line as well as leading rusher Tre Mason, who ran for over 1,000 yards last season. The defense was not very good last year, but most of the starters return and figure to be better than they were in 2012.
 |
| Kiehl Frazier will have to improve as a passer if the Tigers want to be successful in 2013 |
The good news for Auburn is their schedule. Almost all of their winnable games will be played at home, and should only have to win one road game to get to seven wins (which will likely come at Arkansas or at Tennessee). I think this sets the Tigers up to overachieve this season and get back to a bowl game, but it's pretty sad we're talking about a 7-win season meaning a team overachieved after winning a championship three years ago.
5) Ole Miss 6-6 (3-5)
Wins: Southeast Missouri, Idaho, Arkansas, Troy, Missouri, at Mississippi State
Losses: at Vanderbilt, at Texas, at Alabama, at Auburn, Texas A&M, LSU
Losses: at Vanderbilt, at Texas, at Alabama, at Auburn, Texas A&M, LSU
Ole Miss received a lot of hype this offseason because of their top-5 recruiting class they're bringing in this year, headlined by the nations No. 1 recruit Robert Nkemdiche, and rightfully so. However, it will be a while until all those players are able to really contribute at an SEC level. Head coach Hugh Freeze has increased the talent level of his squad every year he's been there, including a 7-5 campaign in 2012,
 |
| Bo Wallace and Ole Miss face a gauntlet of a schedule |
Being in the West, they have to play the big 3 of LSU, A&M, and 'Bama, all of which will in all likelihood be losses. Their 3 "toss-up" games - Mississippi State, Vandy, and Auburn - are all on the road, which is even worse when you have a young roster like Ole Miss does. Add on a non-conference road trip to face Texas, you're looking at quite a few losses.
Ole Miss should be an improved ball club this season with double-digit starters returning, including quarterback Bo Wallace, but their schedule just does not set up well. The Rebels are probably a year or two away, schedule permitting, of really competing in the SEC.
6) Arkansas 5-7 (1-7)
Wins: Louisiana, Samford, Southern Miss, at Rutgers, Mississippi State
Losses: Texas A&M, at Florida, South Carolina, at Alabama, Auburn, at Ole Miss, at LSU
The Razorbacks welcome in former Wisconsin head coach Bret Bielema (who hates the SEC) after a successful stint with the Badgers, and the move left many people scratching their head wondering why he would leave. I fall into that category as well.
Bielema's teams at Wisconsin relied on "old-fashioned" football - big offensive lineman, tough running game, wear you down. That's nice in the Big Ten where every team (except for Ohio State under Urban Meyer, who hasn't lost there yet) plays that slow brand of football. It won't work in the SEC. By doing that, you're basically trying to out-Alabama and out-LSU those very teams that do it better than anyone else, and that's not going to work. Not to mention that playing by this philosophy does not bode well against fast-paced teams with speed - which is probably why Bielema wants to eliminate no-huddle offenses.
To recap: You're going to lose to SEC teams that do what you do better than you, and you're going to lose to the rest because they're faster than you. Sorry Razorback fans. But, hey, at least you don't have to smile anymore.
Losses: Texas A&M, at Florida, South Carolina, at Alabama, Auburn, at Ole Miss, at LSU
The Razorbacks welcome in former Wisconsin head coach Bret Bielema (who hates the SEC) after a successful stint with the Badgers, and the move left many people scratching their head wondering why he would leave. I fall into that category as well.
Bielema's teams at Wisconsin relied on "old-fashioned" football - big offensive lineman, tough running game, wear you down. That's nice in the Big Ten where every team (except for Ohio State under Urban Meyer, who hasn't lost there yet) plays that slow brand of football. It won't work in the SEC. By doing that, you're basically trying to out-Alabama and out-LSU those very teams that do it better than anyone else, and that's not going to work. Not to mention that playing by this philosophy does not bode well against fast-paced teams with speed - which is probably why Bielema wants to eliminate no-huddle offenses.
To recap: You're going to lose to SEC teams that do what you do better than you, and you're going to lose to the rest because they're faster than you. Sorry Razorback fans. But, hey, at least you don't have to smile anymore.
7) Mississippi State 4-8 (1-7)
Wins: Alcorn State, Troy, Bowling Green, Kentucky
Losses: Oklahoma State (in Houston), at Auburn, LSU, at South Carolina, at Texas A&M, Alabama, at Arkansas, Ole Miss
Losses: Oklahoma State (in Houston), at Auburn, LSU, at South Carolina, at Texas A&M, Alabama, at Arkansas, Ole Miss
Mississippi State always teases the pollsters every year, starting out undefeated as they beat up whoever they face in their non-conference schedule before crashing back down to earth after SEC play starts.
This year is going to be especially tough in Starkville because they play most of their winnable conference games on the road and have only two - Ole Miss and Kentucky - at home. I think they'll be able to handle one of those games, which is most likely to be Kentucky. The Bulldogs also actually face a good non-conference opponent this year in Big 12-favorite Oklahoma State, so the cowbells can't even count on going undefeated out of conference.
Don't be surprised if head coach Dan Mullen's days at the helm are numbered.
 |
| Dan Mullen and the Bulldogs aren't going to have much to clap about this season |
This year is going to be especially tough in Starkville because they play most of their winnable conference games on the road and have only two - Ole Miss and Kentucky - at home. I think they'll be able to handle one of those games, which is most likely to be Kentucky. The Bulldogs also actually face a good non-conference opponent this year in Big 12-favorite Oklahoma State, so the cowbells can't even count on going undefeated out of conference.
Don't be surprised if head coach Dan Mullen's days at the helm are numbered.
SEC East
1) South Carolina 12-0 (8-0)
Wins: North Carolina, at Georgia, Vanderbilt, at UCF, Kentucky, at Arkansas, at Tennessee, at Missouri, Mississippi State, Florida, Coastal Carolina, Clemson
Losses: none
Words can not express how badly I didn't want to do this. I really truly didn't. I do believe South Carolina will win the East this year based on their fairly easy schedule, but I don't think they'll go undefeated. The problem is, I don't see where they're going to lose (this scares me even more because even though I have only been a South Carolina fan for the three years I have been in school there, I know the Gamecocks will find some way to lose one they shouldn't).
Their toughest game is at Georgia, but I think South Carolina wins that one. They've won three in a row over the Bulldogs, there's the whole Aaron Murray not playing well at all in big games thing (with the exception of last year's SEC title game), Georgia's defense is going to be incredibly young and inexperienced this year, and head coach Steve Spurrier always saves a special part of his playbook just for this game.
When you boil it down, the Gamecocks roster can be summed up as solid. Not great, but solid. Experienced quarterback play. Talented but inexperienced running backs and linebackers. Good at receiver and in the secondary. Then, of course, there's manchild Jadeveon Clowney who leads a defensive line that just eats opposing quarterbacks.
I think South Carolina's season will come down to this: they will force you to play really well to beat them, and although they aren't the strongest squad, there aren't any teams on their schedule that will get to that point.
Well, until the SEC Championship game of course.
Words can not express how badly I didn't want to do this. I really truly didn't. I do believe South Carolina will win the East this year based on their fairly easy schedule, but I don't think they'll go undefeated. The problem is, I don't see where they're going to lose (this scares me even more because even though I have only been a South Carolina fan for the three years I have been in school there, I know the Gamecocks will find some way to lose one they shouldn't).
Their toughest game is at Georgia, but I think South Carolina wins that one. They've won three in a row over the Bulldogs, there's the whole Aaron Murray not playing well at all in big games thing (with the exception of last year's SEC title game), Georgia's defense is going to be incredibly young and inexperienced this year, and head coach Steve Spurrier always saves a special part of his playbook just for this game.
When you boil it down, the Gamecocks roster can be summed up as solid. Not great, but solid. Experienced quarterback play. Talented but inexperienced running backs and linebackers. Good at receiver and in the secondary. Then, of course, there's manchild Jadeveon Clowney who leads a defensive line that just eats opposing quarterbacks.
I think South Carolina's season will come down to this: they will force you to play really well to beat them, and although they aren't the strongest squad, there aren't any teams on their schedule that will get to that point.
Well, until the SEC Championship game of course.
2) Georgia 10-2 (6-2)
Wins: at Clemson, North Texas, at Tennessee, Missouri, at Vanderbilt, Florida (in Jacksonville), Appalachian State, at Auburn, Kentucky, at Georgia Tech
Losses: South Carolina, LSU
The Dawgs have skated by the past few years avoiding western powers Alabama and LSU, giving them an inflated record. But make no mistake - Georgia is still a really good football team. Offensively, they have the talent to match any team in the country. Defensively, they lost stars in Jarvis Jones and Bacarri Rambo and figure to be young and inexperienced, but they will be talented.
The problem with Georgia is more mental than anything else. In the past few years, they have managed their lesser opponents with ease, but have had problems in their bigger games against tougher opponents. While I realize these struggles fall on more than just one person, Aaron Murray's performances in these games are a good indicator for the rest of the team.
In their two biggest games of the regular season last year (South Carolina and Florida), he went 23/55 for 259 yards, 1 TD, and 4 INTs. That's terrible.
Against LSU (SEC Championship Game) and Florida in 2011, Murray went 31/74 for 332 yards, 3 TDs and 3 INTs. Nothing to write home about.
Murray and the Dawgs did show a signs of improving in the second half of the 2012 SEC Championship Game against Alabama and almost pulled off a dramatic comeback. Georgia plays 4 of these marquee games in 2013 - Clemson, South Carolina, Florida, and LSU - all of which figure to be toss up games. They'll probably split those at 2-2 which isn't bad, but isn't enough to get them back to Atlanta.
 |
| Aaron Murray and the Dawgs need to step up in big games |
The problem with Georgia is more mental than anything else. In the past few years, they have managed their lesser opponents with ease, but have had problems in their bigger games against tougher opponents. While I realize these struggles fall on more than just one person, Aaron Murray's performances in these games are a good indicator for the rest of the team.
In their two biggest games of the regular season last year (South Carolina and Florida), he went 23/55 for 259 yards, 1 TD, and 4 INTs. That's terrible.
Against LSU (SEC Championship Game) and Florida in 2011, Murray went 31/74 for 332 yards, 3 TDs and 3 INTs. Nothing to write home about.
Murray and the Dawgs did show a signs of improving in the second half of the 2012 SEC Championship Game against Alabama and almost pulled off a dramatic comeback. Georgia plays 4 of these marquee games in 2013 - Clemson, South Carolina, Florida, and LSU - all of which figure to be toss up games. They'll probably split those at 2-2 which isn't bad, but isn't enough to get them back to Atlanta.
3) Florida 9-3 (5-3)
Wins: Toledo, at Miami, Tennessee, at Kentucky, Arkansas, at Missouri, Vanderbilt, Georgia Southern, Florida State
Losses: at LSU, Georgia (in Jacksonville), at South Carolina
Florida boasted the country's 5th-best defense a season ago, which is good because near the bottom of the SEC in total offense in 2012. Warning signs for this season: most major defensive players are gone, most offensive guys are back - except for running back Mike Gillislee who was the Gator's most consistent weapon.
Usually, returning starters is a good thing - except for when they aren't very good. That terrible offense last year? That's still your offense. Quarterback Jeff Driskel - who threw for less that 150 yards a game on average - isn't going to suddenly turn into Andrew Luck. I think the offense will continue to struggle in 2013, meaning the defense will have to carry Florida again.
This discrepancy reared it's head in Florida's three biggest games last year: they lost to Georgia because they couldn't score enough points, beat South Carolina but only gained 183 yards of total offense thanks to four Gamecock turnovers, and then they got absolutely rocked by Louisville (who was the overwhelming underdog by the way) in the Sugar Bowl.
This year, the Gators have to travel to Columbia and to Death Valley, both of which will likely be losses. And they probably won't be able to score enough points to beat Georgia.
Florida will take care of business but just doesn't have the firepower this year to really compete for a championship.
Florida boasted the country's 5th-best defense a season ago, which is good because near the bottom of the SEC in total offense in 2012. Warning signs for this season: most major defensive players are gone, most offensive guys are back - except for running back Mike Gillislee who was the Gator's most consistent weapon.
 |
| Jeff Driskel needs to improve if the Gators are going to compete for the SEC title |
Usually, returning starters is a good thing - except for when they aren't very good. That terrible offense last year? That's still your offense. Quarterback Jeff Driskel - who threw for less that 150 yards a game on average - isn't going to suddenly turn into Andrew Luck. I think the offense will continue to struggle in 2013, meaning the defense will have to carry Florida again.
This discrepancy reared it's head in Florida's three biggest games last year: they lost to Georgia because they couldn't score enough points, beat South Carolina but only gained 183 yards of total offense thanks to four Gamecock turnovers, and then they got absolutely rocked by Louisville (who was the overwhelming underdog by the way) in the Sugar Bowl.
This year, the Gators have to travel to Columbia and to Death Valley, both of which will likely be losses. And they probably won't be able to score enough points to beat Georgia.
Florida will take care of business but just doesn't have the firepower this year to really compete for a championship.
4) Vanderbilt 8-4 (4-4)
Wins: Ole Miss, Austin Peay, at UMass, UAB, Missouri, Kentucky, at Tennessee, Wake Forest
Losses: at South Carolina, Georgia, at Texas A&M, at Florida
I really like what head coach James Franklin has done with Vandy in his short time there. The Commodores won 9 games last year, which was the first time they had done that since 1915 (the streak was still shorter than the Cubs!). The next challenge facing Franklin & Co. is to maintain their winning ways.
Vanderbilt has talent, but have to replace two difference makers in quarterback Jordan Rodgers and running back Zac Stacy. Six defensive starters return from a unit that ranked 5th in the SEC in total defense a year ago, and should be in the top half of the SEC again.
The only thing holding Vandy back is that their stuck in limbo. They're good enough to handle the lesser teams in the conference, but aren't good enough to challenge the conference powers. However, Commodore fans will gladly take an 8-win season and a third straight bowl game after all the struggles they've seen.
 |
| James Franklin |
I really like what head coach James Franklin has done with Vandy in his short time there. The Commodores won 9 games last year, which was the first time they had done that since 1915 (the streak was still shorter than the Cubs!). The next challenge facing Franklin & Co. is to maintain their winning ways.
Vanderbilt has talent, but have to replace two difference makers in quarterback Jordan Rodgers and running back Zac Stacy. Six defensive starters return from a unit that ranked 5th in the SEC in total defense a year ago, and should be in the top half of the SEC again.
The only thing holding Vandy back is that their stuck in limbo. They're good enough to handle the lesser teams in the conference, but aren't good enough to challenge the conference powers. However, Commodore fans will gladly take an 8-win season and a third straight bowl game after all the struggles they've seen.
5) Tennessee 6-6 (3-5)
Wins: Austin Peay, Western Kentucky, South Alabama, at Missouri, Auburn, at Kentucky
Losses: at Oregon, at Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, at Alabama, Vanderbilt
Tennessee is a team in major transition. Former head coach Derek Dooley is gone, as are all members of their semi-prolific passing attack. Enter new coach Butch Jones and a bunch of young players that will be forced into playing time, and the 2013 season figures to be filled with ups-and-downs for the Volunteers.
The good news is that their defense returns pretty much all of their starters. The bad news is that that defense ranked last or next-to-last in every defensive category in the SEC. You would hope to see some improvement, but as I said about Florida, sometimes when you're bad, you're just bad.
The Vols should still be good enough to beat teams at the very bottom of the SEC, but face a tough schedule (who decided it was a good idea to play Oregon?). I think Tennessee will eventually begin to challenge for the SEC East title under Butch Jones, but that will take time. This year they will be fighting to become bowl eligible.
Tennessee is a team in major transition. Former head coach Derek Dooley is gone, as are all members of their semi-prolific passing attack. Enter new coach Butch Jones and a bunch of young players that will be forced into playing time, and the 2013 season figures to be filled with ups-and-downs for the Volunteers.
The good news is that their defense returns pretty much all of their starters. The bad news is that that defense ranked last or next-to-last in every defensive category in the SEC. You would hope to see some improvement, but as I said about Florida, sometimes when you're bad, you're just bad.The Vols should still be good enough to beat teams at the very bottom of the SEC, but face a tough schedule (who decided it was a good idea to play Oregon?). I think Tennessee will eventually begin to challenge for the SEC East title under Butch Jones, but that will take time. This year they will be fighting to become bowl eligible.
6) Kentucky 4-8 (1-7)
Wins: Western Kentucky, Miami (OH), Alabama State, Missouri
Losses: Louisville, Florida, at South Carolina, Alabama, at Mississippi State, at Vanderbilt, at Georgia, Tennessee
I think Kentucky be a team on the rise with new head man Mark Stoops, but that will take some time. He's installing a new, pass-happy offense and a 3-4 defensive scheme, both of which will take time to learn. Oh yeah, and he still has Kentucky players.
I don't expect much from the Wildcats this year (has anyone ever expected anything from them?), but I do think we will see improvement as the year goes on that will culminate in a home conference victory over Missouri.
Kentucky has been nothing more than a doormat to SEC opponents in recent memory, but I expect that to change in a few years. Just not this year.
 |
| Mark Stoops hopes to build a program at Kentucky |
I don't expect much from the Wildcats this year (has anyone ever expected anything from them?), but I do think we will see improvement as the year goes on that will culminate in a home conference victory over Missouri.
Kentucky has been nothing more than a doormat to SEC opponents in recent memory, but I expect that to change in a few years. Just not this year.
7) Missouri 4-8 (0-8)
Wins: Murray State, Toledo, at Indiana, Arkansas State
Losses: at Vanderbilt, at Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee, at Kentucky, at Ole Miss, Texas A&M
There are two types of teams in the SEC.
There are the big, physical teams that bully you up front and run the ball down your throats. Think Alabama, LSU, Florida.
Then there are the teams that spread it out to try and get their quick athletes in space. Think Texas A&M and Auburn (the good Auburn from a few years ago).
Whenever the styles collide in conference action, the physical teams have their way up front and in the running game, while the spread teams counter that with speed on the outside. Whoever dictates the tempo wins. Pretty simple.
Well, Missouri runs that spread style - except they run it with average athletes without great quickness. The problem? This means they'll get bullied up front and won't be able to run around physical teams, while they won't be fast enough to catch up with and handle other fast-paced, spread teams. Uh oh.
It's a pretty simple formula that's unfortunate for the Tigers. That transition to the SEC isn't going as well as they had hoped, is it?
There are two types of teams in the SEC.
There are the big, physical teams that bully you up front and run the ball down your throats. Think Alabama, LSU, Florida.
Then there are the teams that spread it out to try and get their quick athletes in space. Think Texas A&M and Auburn (the good Auburn from a few years ago).
 |
| Missouri will continue to struggle mightily in the SEC |
Whenever the styles collide in conference action, the physical teams have their way up front and in the running game, while the spread teams counter that with speed on the outside. Whoever dictates the tempo wins. Pretty simple.
Well, Missouri runs that spread style - except they run it with average athletes without great quickness. The problem? This means they'll get bullied up front and won't be able to run around physical teams, while they won't be fast enough to catch up with and handle other fast-paced, spread teams. Uh oh.
It's a pretty simple formula that's unfortunate for the Tigers. That transition to the SEC isn't going as well as they had hoped, is it?
SEC Championship Game
Alabama over South Carolina
Does this really need any explanation?
Alabama's just a buzzsaw that demolishes everything in their way. I'll call it 34-17 Crimson Tide.
And the reign of King Saban continues.
Don't like it? Have other suggestions? Did I miss something? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
Don't like it? Have other suggestions? Did I miss something? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
No comments:
Post a Comment