How the West Will Be Won

[Bebes]

IMO, I think LSU is our only real hurdle

I wouldn't say that until BAMA, at least, beats one DECENT SEC team....

 

[BamaJeff]

I agree with Bebes. When we can beat somebody in the SEC other than Ole Miss and MSU, then we can talk about LSU being out only real hurdle.

 

[TexasTideFan]

I agree with Bebes. When we can beat somebody in the SEC other than Ole Miss and MSU, then we can talk about LSU being out only real hurdle.

It's a new season, last year is over. We are returning a solid core group that isn't injured anymore and knows the playbook of a coaching staff that, get this, is one of the most tenured in the SEC. The rest of the West has alot more issues than we do with alot less experience, except for maybe LSU. So, unless we either discover Coach Shula really can't win with a healthy team or our players really aren't as talented as they have shown, LSU is our only hurdle in the West.

PS: I said West, not SEC. I still think it's a step beating UT this year but Florida and USC are completely winable games.

 

[befundis]

Music City Bowl repeat

One running back and a china doll QB wont go far

 

[CrimsonVan]

One thing people forget is that if Alabama does not come up to play against Ole miss or Arkansas, we could very well lose those games.

They are not gimmie's whatsoever and the SEC past has shown that.

 

[I_Hate_Orange]

west analysis

Here's My Positions for the West:

1. LSU
2. BAMA
3. BARN
4. Arkansas
5. Miss State
6. Ole Miss

LSU's talent is dangerous, and I think they could make a run at the MNC. That being said, with a new coach, he will probably be the goat or the savior. I think that having LSU at home isn't a good think, looking at our past record in Baton Rouge, but I do think that we can beat them hear this year. A lot of people don't like their QB situation, but I think Russell will be one of the most improved players this year and surprise a lot of people. I'm saying this about LSU because I believe it could be our only loss. We have Aubarn with an inexperienced backfield on both sides of the ball, and that doesn't match up well with Bama, having loads of returning talent in our offensive and defensive backfields. I like us to beat the Barn this year. Arkansas without Matt Jones, is like a dog with do teeth, so I'm not really worried about them, although we better improve our run defense or they can beat us. I really like what Croom is doing and hope that we are not one of the teams that he sneaks up on again. I think they will be better than Ole Miss and beat them in the Egg Bowl to avoid the basement in the SEC West.
Going back to Bama, I like our chances against UT, with their defense overrated, I think we will take that one at home. Florida scares me with all that talent they have on offense, probably the best passer and receivers in the SEC. That being said, I think we can cause them problems up front with our pass rush, but if we don't, look out.
In my heart of hearts all I want to do is make sure we beat UT and AU, but I think I'm more worried about UF and LSU. Hope you enjoy my analysis.

 

[PsychoJoe]

I am normally not a pessimist, but I don't see us higher than third. Granted, if we have some injury luck and can put our best players on the field we can compete with anyone. We were a pretty good team a year ago, until Croyle, Hudson and Castille went down in consecutive games. I said at the start of last season that we were due some good luck on injuries, but look what we ended up with. I see us nosing out the piggies for third in the west. LSWho and the barners will battle it out for first, but I think LSWho gets the nod this time. Ole Miss will be a distant fifth, and M$U will struggle to win a conference game, especially since Zook is gone.

I see our regular season as 8-3 or 7-4, with a bowl game at the end.

 

[GoBama#1]

Prediction for the SEC West

1) LSU
2) Bama
3) Barn
4) Piggies
5) M$U
6) Ole Miss

East

1) Florida
2) UT
3) UGA
4) USC
5) Vandy
6) UK

 

[drsmithofga]

I've pegged Bama with an 8-3 2005 record, with one win among UF/UT/LSU/AU. Breaking that down, if the win is against UF or UT, then we finish third in the West. If the win is against AU or LSU, then second in the west most probably. Two wins among that group of four could still result in a third place finish (wins against UT and UF) with a 9-2 finish. Way too many things would have to fall into place for a third (and fourth) win, and the season will have to start to unfold before most could see that happening. It may take the third game at USC or the fourth game at Ark. before we know with better certainty where this team can go. I would fear, though, that we go into the UF game with a 4-0 record, a national ranking lower than 20th, a UF defeat by UT, and get dealt a loss. Hopefully that won't be the case, and will be a test of our staff the keep the team prepared and motivated. I would love to be ranked high in the West, but I want to see Bama beat UT so bad I can taste it. And another AU loss could cause a significant loss of ground in recruiting. I would trade the SECC game for wins against UT and AU (with a 9-2 record, second in the West) in a heartbeat.

 

[GoBama#1]

Here's My Positions for the West:

1. LSU
2. BAMA
3. BARN
4. Arkansas
5. Miss State
6. Ole Miss

LSU's talent is dangerous, and I think they could make a run at the MNC. That being said, with a new coach, he will probably be the goat or the savior. I think that having LSU at home isn't a good think, looking at our past record in Baton Rouge, but I do think that we can beat them hear this year. A lot of people don't like their QB situation, but I think Russell will be one of the most improved players this year and surprise a lot of people. I'm saying this about LSU because I believe it could be our only loss. We have Aubarn with an inexperienced backfield on both sides of the ball, and that doesn't match up well with Bama, having loads of returning talent in our offensive and defensive backfields. I like us to beat the Barn this year. Arkansas without Matt Jones, is like a dog with do teeth, so I'm not really worried about them, although we better improve our run defense or they can beat us. I really like what Croom is doing and hope that we are not one of the teams that he sneaks up on again. I think they will be better than Ole Miss and beat them in the Egg Bowl to avoid the basement in the SEC West.
Going back to Bama, I like our chances against UT, with their defense overrated, I think we will take that one at home. Florida scares me with all that talent they have on offense, probably the best passer and receivers in the SEC. That being said, I think we can cause them problems up front with our pass rush, but if we don't, look out.
In my heart of hearts all I want to do is make sure we beat UT and AU, but I think I'm more worried about UF and LSU. Hope you enjoy my analysis.

I agree wholeheartedly. I couldn't have said it better.

 

[LSUray]

If LSU doesn't implode with the QB situation, they are the best bet to make it. As for the Barn, I think they lost too much from last years team to make a serious run but as mentioned, they do play a light schedule and will probably be 6-0 with momentum heading into their matchup with LSU. I look for this game to be the first real test for both teams and the winner will be the frontrunner until both teams meet Bama in November.

If AU is LSU's first real test they are going to be really good considering they play Arizona State, Tennessee, and Florida before playing the War Eagles. If LSU comes through those three and Auburn unscathed, they are looking towards a huge game in Tuscaloosa this year.

 

[TexasTideFan]

If AU is LSU's first real test they are going to be really good considering they play Arizona State, Tennessee, and Florida before playing the War Eagles. If LSU comes through those three and Auburn unscathed, they are looking towards a huge game in Tuscaloosa this year.

I guess I should have clarified it a little, first real test in the SEC West since that was the thread topic. However, all those games you mentioned are at Death Valley and I'll give LSU the edge in all of them right now. As for Auburn, they should, and let me capitalize SHOULD, be undeafeted and motivated going into the LSU game unless Tubby can't hurdle Georgia Tech at home and South Carolina at home. In fact, the Barn has everybody at home except for Arkansas until they play LSU.

 

[CrimsonVan]

I just don't see any way that LSU goes through ASU, UT, and UF all undefeated.

Troy, Ole Miss, and Oregon State all took LSU to the last few minutes before losing last year and all three were night games. I think some of the so-called magic is gone.

With JR at QB and as just a sophmore, I expect him to struggle a LOT, especially considering he butted heads with Saban on film room watching last year. You will hear me say that a lot because I think it speaks volumes to him as a player. True. He could have changed but I doubt he suddenly makes the change from a lazy one to a undefeated, National Title contending QB. Unlike Mauck, he does not come off to me as a leader who doesn't make mistakes. He is quite the opposite. He has a cannon of the arm and solid legs but still is too young and inexperienced.

 

[teamplayer]

I think we will finish third behind Auburn and LSU. I think both of those teams have done a good job of recruiting while our scholarships were down. They both have talent and depth, and that is what wins most games. If we stay healthy, I think we may be able to challenge for a trip to Atlanta. However, we would need quite a few breaks to go our way. Of course, after the last few years, we deserve more than our share of good breaks. I am thinking we will finish at 7-4 and go to a decent bowl game. We need a bowl win to finish 8-4. Anything better than that will be icing on the cake in my opinion.

 

[drsmithofga]

It sure would be nice to go to Atlanta for the Peach Bowl and see the lights shine off the red helmets, reminding me of the times when watching Bama at the Superdome in New Orleans. Last year, 7-4 would have gotten the Peach Bowl, so I might be hoping for a better bowl though.

 

[ihatefulmer]

LSU has 3 good one's to replace on D. CB's Travis Daniels & Corey Webster and IMO, the best D-lineman to come out of the SEC in years, Marcus Spears. The reason LSU has been so good the last few years has been because of Nick Sabans D not Jimbo Fisher's O. I think Miles will do a good job at LSU but I think there will be a adjustment period next season. IMO, all these teams with new coaches is just as a big of a ? mark as is if bama can stay healthy.

 

[TexasTideFan]

IMO, all these teams with new coaches is just as a big of a ? mark as is if bama can stay healthy.

That's my opinion too and until we see everyone suit up for the first few games, it's all speculation. However, LSU is really tough at home and with all the ?'s floating around, I would probably favor them against everyone with the lone exception probably being UT. On a side note, our ?'s aren't nearly as glaring and that's the reason why I think we could end up with a pretty decent year.