On a slow morning, some thoughts on SEC West Division Race:
LSU - They've got to be the favorite for this year, but will not be as dominant as last year. The Tigers lose talented WR's and a couple of the best DL in the nation. Alas, they will reload.
They have UGA and UF on the road in consecutive weeks and must beat
AU at home if they want to go to Atlanta again this year. I think they lose to UGA and UF, go 6-2 and go the the
SECCG once again...barely.
Auburn - I watched the 2003 Iron Bowl again last night. This teams offense could be very good; they are as athletic as any offense in the SEC. The defensive front 7 will be porous this year, however, losing thier 3 best DL and thier 2 best LB's. I think
AU loses against LSU, UGA (owns Jordan-Hare), and probably at Tennessee. Another tough game will be at Ole Miss. The Rebels get a week of before and after their showdown with Tubs, and I think they are really tough at home on thier new Astroplay surface. In SEC play,
AU goes 5-3 and (for better or worse) Tubs calls the Mayflower truck.
Alabama - Our beloved Tide finally has postseason hopes again, and that will make a phenomenal difference this year. A much easier schedule doesn't hurt either. The Tide does lose its best offensive weapon in Shaud Williams, and loses Justin Smiley and D. Alexander from an already thin line.
On the defensive side, the loss of Antwan Odom will hurt the pass rush from the front 4.
Ole Mis at BD and Arkansas at Fayetteville will help decide our conference outlook early, but both should be winable. Trips to Baton Rouge and Knoxville and visits from the resurgent Gamecocks of SC and the still talented Auburn Tigers may prove too much for this team however. With a little more coaching than time allowed last year, I think the Tide finishes up 4-4 in conference -- a vast improvement over last season's outcome.
Ole Miss - The Reb's are very talented at the skill positions and will have a very strong, well coached OL again. A new QB without the ability to stretch the field makes this a slightly more pedestrian offense, though.
The D loses a lot of talent, but make no mistake this is a very well coached unit and can still do the job.
The Rebels will pick up wins against Vandy, Arkansas, and Miss St., but could also play the spoiler role with Auburn and Tennessee traveling to Oxford. My prediction is 3-5, but they are definately the wild card in the West.
Miss St. - The Bulldogs will be well coached this year, but have an uphill battle. NCAA sanctions will likely come out early in the season, and that can't help but to distract this team.
Trips to Vanderbilt (returning 21 starters), LSU, AL and Ole Miss will be tough. Kentucky and Arkansas will serve as doormats to welcome this new regime and don't count State out of the bowl picture. I expect 2-6 in conference, but the new coaching staff will have the Dawgs ready to fight.
Arkansas - The Nutt boys better have some Aces up thier sleeves this year. The Pigs lose practically everyone except QB Matt Jones, who will need those magic feet to run for his life behind a decimated OL. Good luck guys, but don't expect any breaks in the SEC. 0-8.
Briefly, I think UGA wins the SEC at 8-0 and contends for a National Championship with a lot of returning talent. Florida and Charlie Strong's defense finish second (7-1) and could even suprise Georgia in Jacksonville. South Carolina will be tough this year and will knock off UT in Columbia to clinch third (6-2). UT finishes a disappointing 5-3 with losses at UGA, SC and against UF. Vandy will be improved but still be Vandy (1-6), and UK will suffer through a tough conference schedule (0-8)
I'd love to see some other opinions on the West or other teams.
Roll Tide!!
