Question: Will ANY team in the SEC East challenge Florida in the next five years?

Bamabuzzard · October 28th, 2009, 11:15 AM

As close as most of us follow recruiting and know most teams of the SEC in and out. I just don't see a team in the SEC East even challenging Florida for the East anytime soon.

Tennessee- Though improved they looked eerily similar to the Shula regime for some reason. The next two years with regards to what's coming back isn't going to be kind to the Vols. Though their fan base thinks otherwise.

USCe- Offensively just doesn't have it and I see no signs of them getting it to compete with UF for the East title

Kentucky- No where close

Georgia- Headed toward a coaching change within the next two years. Their program has become too soft to compete with UF and I don't see it changing under the current regime.

Vandy- No need to discuss the obvious.

Next year might be somewhat of a transition year for UF seeing that Tebow will be gone. But the Brantley kid is very talented and I believe will perform good enough for them to get back to the SEC CG.

RogueElephant · October 28th, 2009, 11:34 AM

It depends, Tenn may with a few good recruiting classes.

TidePrideGA · October 28th, 2009, 11:39 AM

I hear all this talk about UGA getting a new coach, my question is who are they going to get that is better than who they have now? The UGA job is not as many UGAG fans think one of the top 3 jobs in the conference.

Tradition4ever · October 28th, 2009, 11:41 AM

If UT, USC, or UGA want to challenge the Gators, next year will be a prime year to do so. The Gators not only lose the modern day Messiah at QB, they also will probably lose key OL personnel, WR personnel, the Hernandez TE, and a slew of defensive personnel. It truly will be a rebuilding effort for the Gators. They've recruited well, but you can only replace so much at one time and expect to be at the top of the division. I think that next year might be Spurrier's last best chance to get through to the SECCG with the Gamecocks. He'll have a senior at QB surrounded by some decent weapons, a defense that should be good again, and a UF team is rebuilding. Kiffin will once again be working with a new QB, and he'll have to replace key OL and defensive personnel. Plus, Kiffin will be replacing those guys with young recruits, which is not exactly a recipe for success in the SEC, at least early. As far as Richt and UGA goes, well who knows what to expect. They have what is supposed to be the next big thing at QB (Andy or Aaron Murray) waiting in the wings. They alledgedly have been recruiting tons of talent, but I agree with what Jess had to say in his article above, and that is the Bulldogs are gravitating towards being soft. Soft teams won't ever cut it in the SEC, and if this is the case for UGA, then they'll be spending their seasons fending off Kentucky and Vandy for 4th in the East!

VolFan1 · October 28th, 2009, 11:43 AM

	Quote:	TidePrideGA
	I hear all this talk about UGA getting a new coach, my question is who are they going to get that is better than who they have now? The UGA job is not as many UGAG fans think one of the top 3 jobs in the conference.

Any chance on Brian Kelly going there?

TidePrideGA · October 28th, 2009, 11:47 AM

	Quote:	VolFan1
	Any chance on Brian Kelly going there?

Eh I guess he could but the UGAG administration isn't going to fire Richt anytime soon. The only way I see it happening this year is if he won't change coaches after the end of the season.

deltatider · October 28th, 2009, 11:48 AM

	Quote:	VolFan1
	Any chance on Brian Kelly going there?

I sure hope not. That guy seem to be one heckuva coach!!!!!!

TidePrideGA · October 28th, 2009, 11:48 AM

	Quote:	Tradition4ever
	If UT, USC, or UGA want to challenge the Gators, next year will be a prime year to do so. The Gators not only lose the modern day Messiah at QB, they also will probably lose key OL personnel, WR personnel, the Hernandez TE, and a slew of defensive personnel. It truly will be a rebuilding effort for the Gators. They've recruited well, but you can only replace so much at one time and expect to be at the top of the division. I think that next year might be Spurrier's last best chance to get through to the SECCG with the Gamecocks. He'll have a senior at QB surrounded by some decent weapons, a defense that should be good again, and a UF team is rebuilding. Kiffin will once again be working with a new QB, and he'll have to replace key OL and defensive personnel. Plus, Kiffin will be replacing those guys with young recruits, which is not exactly a recipe for success in the SEC, at least early. As far as Richt and UGA goes, well who knows what to expect. They have what is supposed to be the next big thing at QB (Andy or Aaron Murray) waiting in the wings. They alledgedly have been recruiting tons of talent, but I agree with what Jess had to say in his article above, and that is the Bulldogs are gravitating towards being soft. Soft teams won't ever cut it in the SEC, and if this is the case for UGA, then they'll be spending their seasons fending off Kentucky and Vandy for 4th in the East!

Good points in your post. I think Richt and his coaching staff are among the softest in the league. We'll see if a change is made.

BamaFlum · October 28th, 2009, 11:52 AM

The biggest question for UGA is will Richt do what must be done on the defensive side of the ball. The need a better DC to compete in the SEC.

calhexas · October 28th, 2009, 11:57 AM

Florida is already showing offensive struggles with their Superman still leading the charge.

I don't see how changing the offense is going to provide more improvement next year, when they lose their "Greatest player of all time" and some of their defensive leaders.

Next year Florida only loses a lot in terms of leadership. Their defense is still stout (assuming very few leave early).

The following year however, Florida will graduate just about everyone who was apart of their NC team last year. Only a couple freshmen will be around (assuming they don't leave early). They will have a large overhaul. Tennessee should be in position to beat them by then, if not next year.

UGA looks like their on a downspiral. Probably won't be as competitive next year, but who knows the year after. Saban turned us around in 2 years. UGA could surely pull a similar (even if not as drastic) change.

Kentucky, I don't know if they'll ever have the horses, but they did beat LSU their NC year. So I'd say 2011 is their best bet.

Vandy, I don't know in what universe Vandy beats UF. Maybe in the one where Meyer leaves for Notre Dame after they fire Weiss. Not sure that's going to happen though.

South Carolina. I'd never count them out. Not even this year. Spurrier is always just behind the curve for a NC contender of a team, but he always seems to have squads capable of ruining NC contender's dreams.

TidePrideGA · October 28th, 2009, 11:58 AM

	Quote:	BamaFlum
	The biggest question for UGA is will Richt do what must be done on the defensive side of the ball. The need a better DC to compete in the SEC.

The coaches they have right now do not develop the talent they have. He really should gut a good portion of his staff.

GulfCoastTider · October 28th, 2009, 12:14 PM

Georgia has been suffering from two problems--having to replace two of the SEC's most talented offensive weapons and dealing with a leaderless defense that isn't terribly well coached. IF Richt can get some production out of his offensive skill players, and IF they can get someone (anyone, including the DC) to show some leadership mojo on defense, they could knock UF off next year.

Keep in mind that all SEC teams must face two squads from the other division--one is a "traditional" rival; the other rotates in for a home-and-home series. UF's "traditional" SEC West rival is LSU, a program that's a threat to beat anyone in the league.

It is entirely possible for a one- or even a two-loss UGA team to get past Florida and into the 2010 SECCG. When this season started, I thought just such a thing might happen, but UGA went schizo and LSU's offense proved to be a much bigger mess than I thought it would be.

UT, the only other serious threat in the East, is at least two years away from challenging.

studmlb55 · October 28th, 2009, 12:18 PM

To answer your question simply, NO!

In terms of which side, East or West, is headed in the right direction right now, the West seems to be the League that is going to be the toughest and most stout for the next 5-10 years. I see LSU being continually tough do to mostly great recruiting, not sold on their coaching staff. Auburn will improve and always play us tough do to the rivalry aspect. Arkansas is def. on the right track with a proven winner coach in BP. Along with that, BP runs a style of offense, when put with the right type of athletes, is very difficult to stop. Ole Miss will put together respectable teams that would prob. finish 2-3 in the East bracket.

While on the flip side, SC is in a lull with CSS. He is washed up and will never produce a NC team while he is there! Tenn. will have a new coach in 2-4 years, count on that. Kentucky puts together respectable teams but due to a lack of facilities/tradition and recruiting they will not be able to compete/get over the hump known as UF. Georgia will have the best chance of competing with Florida, and I see Georgia stealing a game or two from UF, during this time span. They have a great leader in Richt and they recruit well.

With that being said, put UF in the SEC West and I can see them not dominating in the coming years, unfortunately I see the East producing less talented teams and UF dominating the East for years to come.