Way too early SEC West predictions for 2015-sds
With the way the 2014 SEC season ended in bowl — ahem, New Year’s Six — disappointment, spring practice can’t get here soon enough. Here’s our way-too-early look at the Western Division in 2015, a group hoping to restore some of the lofty praise it received early in the season last fall.
Editor’s note: The NFL Draft’s early entry deadline is Jan. 15 and a couple standouts in the West are still weighing their options. We’ve tried to accurately project their decisions ahead of the deadline and those are reflected in the ‘key losses’ category.
1. ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE
Key returnees: OL Cam Robinson, OL Ryan Kelly, RB Derrick Henry, RB Kenyan Drake, TE O.J. Howard, WR Chris Black, DL A’Shawn Robinson, DL Jonathan Allen, DL Da’Shawn Hand, LB Reuben Foster, LB Ryan Anderson, LB Dillon Lee, DB Geno Smith, DB Cyrus Jones, DB Eddie Jackson, K Adam Griffith, P J.K. Scott
Key losses: QB Blake Sims, RB T.J. Yeldon, FB Jalston Fowler, WR Amari Cooper, WR DeAndrew White, OL Austin Shepherd, OL Arie Kouandjio, DL Jarran Reed, LB Reggie Ragland, LB Trey DePriest, LB Xzavier Dickson, DB Landon Collins, DB Nick Perry, ATH Christion Jones
Buzz: Expect the Crimson Tide to be hungrier than ever in 2015 after coming up ringless the last two seasons in their quest for their fourth national title since 2009. Nick Saban’s championship pedigree and penchant for playing to a standard means 12-2 seasons without the final jewel are disappointing, a product of capturing the SEC but falling flat on the national stage. Replacing Heisman finalist and program record-holder Amari Cooper along with steady rusher T.J. Yeldon — who finished with 3,322 yards over three seasons — will be a challenge for an offense that ran more plays (1,018) than any team in the SEC this season under Lane Kiffin’s new philosophy. Kirby Smart’s defense returns much of its talent at the back end, but All-American safety Landon Collins is a substantial loss. Despite impending questions on both sides of the ball, Alabama will continue to be the SEC’s odds-on favorite annually thanks to recruiting dominance as long as Saban’s in charge.
2. AUBURN TIGERS
Key returnees: QB Jeremy Johnson, RB Roc Thomas, RB Peyton Barber, WR D’haquille Williams, OL Alex Kozan, OL Avery Young, DL Carl Lawson, DL Montravius Adams, DL Davonte Lambert, LB Cassanova McKinzy, DB Johnathan Ford, DB Jonathan Jones
Key losses: QB Nick Marshall, RB Cameron Artis-Payne, RB Corey Grant, WR Sammie Coates, WR Quan Bray, TE C.J. Uzomah, OL Reese Dismukes, DL Gabe Wright, LB Krist Frost, DB Jermaine Whitehead, DB Jonathon Mincy, DB Robenson Therezie
Buzz: Auburn enters the offseason with much anticipation coming off an underwhelming 8-5 record as the defending SEC champs. The overused ‘luck ran out’ description of the Tigers’ season is doing a disservice to the rest of the Western Division. Auburn simply didn’t have the strength on defense to play championship-level football and the offense took a step back from 2013’s impressive totals. Gus Malzahn’s decision to replace defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson with Will Muschamp is obviously a storyline to watch heading into the final weeks of the recruiting season and into spring ball. Auburn replaces several playmakers on both sides of the ball, but has enough talent returning to hit double-digit wins next fall should things fall into place defensively. The addition of linebacker Cassanova McKinzy, who announced Tuesday he was returning for his senior season, is important.
3. ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS
Key returnees: QB Brandon Allen, RB Alex Collins, RB Jonathan Williams, TE Hunter Henry, TE A.J. Derby, WR Keon Hatcher, OL Dan Skipper, DL Taiwan Johnson, DL Darius Philon, LB Brooks Ellis, DB Rohan Gaines, DB Jared Collins, K Adam McFain
Key losses: WR Demetrius Wilson, OL Brey Cook, DL Trey Flowers, LB Martrell Spaight, DB Alan Turner, DB Tevin Mitchel
Buzz: Admittedly a sexy preseason darkhorse based on how the 2014 campaign ended, Bret Bielema expects to see results in his program’s turnaround next fall. The Razorbacks return nearly every player on their run-heavy offense and have enough talent to build around defensively. All-SEC standouts Trey Flowers and Martrell Spaight will be difficult to replace, but Arkansas has depth at each position group.
4. TEXAS A&M AGGIES
Key returnees: QB Kyle Allen, QB Kenny Hill, OL Germain Ifedi, RB Tra Carson, WR Josh Reynolds, WR Speedy Noil, WR Ricky Seals-Jones, WR Edward Pope, DL Myles Garrett, DL Hardreck Walker, DL Alonzo Williams, LB Shaan Washington, DB Armani Watts, DB Devonta Burns, DB De’Vante Harris, P Drew Kaser
Key losses: RB Trey Williams, OL Cedric Ogbuehi, WR Malcome Kennedy, TE Cameron Clear, LB Donnie Baggs, LB Justin Bass, DB Deshazor Everett, DB Howard Matthews, DB Floyd Raven
Buzz: Youth and inexperience was to blame for this season’s fall from grace, but wet-behind-the-ears underclassmen are all back next season. Defense has been the Aggies’ Achilles Heel since joining the SEC and Kevin Sumlin hopes the hire of John Chavis to overhaul that side of the ball will pay immediate dividends. When fall practice begins, the Aggies are expected to have three sought-after quarterbacks — including five-star freshman Kyler Murray — on their roster unless Kenny Hill, this season’s star who fell to second-team duties, leaves College Station. Playmakers Speedy Noil and Josh Reynolds return along with miniature tank ballcarrier Tra Carson. If Chavis pulls the correct string defensively led by sack artist Myles Garrett and hard-hitting safety Armani Watts, the Aggies will compete for a West title.
5. LSU TIGERS
Key returnees: QB Anthony Jennings, RB Leonard Fournette, WR Malachi Dupre, WR Travin Dural, DL Sione Teuhema, DL Christian LaCouture, LB Kendell Beckwith, DB Tre’Davious White, DB Jamal Adams, P Jamie Keehn, K Colby Delahoussaye
Key losses: RB Terrence Magee, RB Kenny Hilliard, OL Vadal Alexander, OL La’el Collins, DL Danielle Hunter, DL Jermauria Rasco, LB Kwon Alexander, LB D.J. Welter, DB Jalen Mills, DB Jalen Collins, DB Ronald Martin
Buzz: Judging by LSU’s roster on Jan. 6, 2015, the Tigers have quarterback issues heading into spring practice which is why we’ve got Les Miles’ team finishing in the middle of the West. This team has the talent to compete for a division championship if challenge under center are resolved. A transfer like Braxton Miller or Everett Golson would help, but those transfer rumors lack substance at this point. LSU must replace several key contributors on defense including half of its starting secondary along with two starting linebackers and pass rushers Danielle Hunter and Jermauria Rasco. Leonard Fournette is an encouraging, game-changing piece to the puzzle in 2015 who should post another 1,000-yard campaign as a sophomore, but he can’t handle the offensive load by himself. The ongoing quarterback battle between Anthony Jennings, Brandon Harris and a suspected player-to-be-named will be interesting.
6. OLE MISS REBELS
Key returnees: RB Jaylen Walton, ATH Jordan Wilkins, RB I’Tavius Mathers, WR Cody Core, WR Laquon Treadwell, WR Quincy Adeboyejo, TE Evan Engram, OL Laremy Tunsil, DL Robert Nkemdiche, DL C.J. Johnson, DL Issac Gross, DL Fadol Brown, DB Trae Elston, DB Tony Conner, DB Mike Hilton
Key losses: QB Bo Wallace, WR Vince Sanders, LB Deterrian Shackelford, LB Serderius Bryant, DB Senquez Golson, DB Cody Prewitt
Buzz: Injuries damaged the second half of the season for the Rebels who, at one point, saw themselves unbeaten and ranked No. 3 in the country. That’s about as good as it’s going to get for Hugh Freeze, who is trying to build a perennial winner in Oxford behind Nick Saban’s recruiting blueprint established at Alabama and an interesting spread offensive philosophy. Despite losing top ballhawks Cody Prewitt and Senquez Golson, the Rebels’ defense could be just as good if not better next season. Another strong incoming haul gives Ole Miss a chance to hit nine wins again, but the quarterback position remains a mystery now that Bo Wallace has exhausted his eligibility.
7. MISSISSIPPI STATE BULLDOGS
Key returnees: WR Fred Ross, WR De’Runnya Wilson, RB Brandon Holloway, LB Beniquez Brown, LB Richie Brown, DB Kendrick Market, DB Will Redmond, DB Taveze Calhoun
Key losses: QB Dak Prescott, RB Josh Robinson, WR Jameon Lewis, OL Dillon Day, DL P.J. Jones, DL Preston Smith, LB Benardick McKinney, DB Jay Hughes, DB Jamerson Love
Buzz: The million-dollar question before Jan. 15 is Dak Prescott’s impending decision to turn pro or remain in Starkville. If the dynamic dual-threat quarterback returns for another season, Mississippi State moves up to the middle of this list (but we expect him to declare). Losing his on-field ability and knowledge of Dan Mullen’s offense is one thing, but his level of leadership is another. Prescott’s the type of player who makes everyone around him better. Mississippi State’s top rusher, Josh Robinson, is also leaving early along with top defensive players Preston Smith and Benardrick McKinney. The new-look Bulldogs will struggle early next season, but should have enough talent returning, notably De’Runnya Wilson on the outside, to reach a bowl game.
