SEC West in 2011

[Bamabuzzard]

The same was said about us in 2009, then we played VT in the Georgia Dome. I seem to recall that team only had 4 returning starters on Offense.

Yeah but lets be honest, our offense through the meat of our SEC schedule got very one dimensional and in many cases stuffed. It was our defense that was our saving grace in 2009. We still were having problems offensively when we got in the redzone coming away with TD's. Gmac went through that stretch of games where he was struggling which in turn caused out offense to struggle.

We did enough offensively to not cost us games but it was our defense that was the backbone. I think 2011 could be very similar. I'd be surprised (no matter who the qb is) if our offense was the backbone of our team. It would not shock me if we struggled through stretches in the 2011 season and had to rely on our defense to hold things together, much like 2009. If the outcome is the same as 09 then I don't have a problem with that.

 

[bamaman07]

Yeah but lets be honest, our offense through the meat of our SEC schedule got very one dimensional and in many cases stuffed. It was our defense that was our saving grace in 2009. We still were having problems offensively when we got in the redzone coming away with TD's. Gmac went through that stretch of games where he was struggling which in turn caused out offense to struggle.

We did enough to offensively to not cost us games but it was our defense that was the backbone. I think 2011 could be very similar. I'd be surprised (no matter who the qb is) if our offense was the backbone of our team. It would not shock me if we struggled through stretches in the 2011 season and had to rely on our defense to hold things together, much like 2009. If they outcome is the same as 09 then I don't have a problem with that.

Alabama will have more experience and talent on offense than 2009. Just my opinion of course. The new QB, whoever it is, will be more talented than McElroy was. No slamming him just stating facts. His surrounding cast will be better as a whole especially if we sign Duron Carter. The line will definitely be more experienced and have more depth than 2009. We lost three starters from the 2008 team and two were all Americans. You also have more speed on the outside with some of our younger receivers and the added dimension of Blake Sims and Dee Hart. Alabama COULD become one dimensional at some point but our talent overall should be able to get us through it. The defense should be very, very stout.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

Alabama will have more experience and talent on offense than 2009. Just my opinion of course. The new QB, whoever it is, will be more talented than McElroy was. No slamming him just stating facts. His surrounding cast will be better as a whole especially if we sign Duron Carter. The line will definitely be more experienced and have more depth than 2009. We lost three starters from the 2008 team and two were all Americans. You also have more speed on the outside with some of our younger receivers and the added dimension of Blake Sims and Dee Hart. Alabama COULD become one dimensional at some point but our talent overall should be able to get us through it. The defense should be very, very stout.

I can't argue with any of that but as you know there haven't been many quarterbacks (no matter how talented) that didn't struggle through a string of games in the first year they were the starter. SEC defenses are brutal on first year starting qbs. With all that you mentioned with regard to more talent, speed and depth across the board (compared to 09) all it takes is the QB position going into the tank to nullify all those weapons. That is why the QB position is the most important position on the field. I agree, IF we improve at the qb position from last year or even stay the same we're going to be hell to stop. But the odds are against us with regards to a first time starter coming in and not missing a lick.

 

[TideEngineer08]

As for our offense, it's all up to the line. If they develop a general disdain for the opposition, we'll be fine. Richardson will be the best RB in the country. Lacy/Goode/Fowler/Hart are more than capable coming off the bench. We're not going to rely on the pass, but when we do we'll have a talented QB throwing to a deep core of WRs. The TE position will be strong, blocking and receiving. It's truly up to the offensive line as to how good the offense can be. The talent and depth are there, but we still need to stay healthy for consistency.

Our defense is going to be downright scary. Almost illegal.

Getting LSU at home is such a huge break. Auburn would be the toughest road game but they've lost so much and the team has zeroed in on that game much like they did Florida in 2009. Yes, Arkansas will be tough but again, that game is at Bryant-Denny. Florida and Penn State are in states of rebuilding right now and I expect we can win those without much of a scare. Mississippi State, however, will be a very tough road game.

I think the West truly comes down to Alabama vs. LSU. Arkansas will challenge but fall short, and Mississippi State is still short on talent. Ole Miss and Auburn will bring up the rear.

 

[rolltide2213]

i agree other than Auburn, they might go 4-8.

 

[bamaman07]

As for our offense, it's all up to the line. If they develop a general disdain for the opposition, we'll be fine. Richardson will be the best RB in the country. Lacy/Goode/Fowler/Hart are more than capable coming off the bench. We're not going to rely on the pass, but when we do we'll have a talented QB throwing to a deep core of WRs. The TE position will be strong, blocking and receiving. It's truly up to the offensive line as to how good the offense can be. The talent and depth are there, but we still need to stay healthy for consistency.

Our defense is going to be downright scary. Almost illegal.

Getting LSU at home is such a huge break. Auburn would be the toughest road game but they've lost so much and the team has zeroed in on that game much like they did Florida in 2009. Yes, Arkansas will be tough but again, that game is at Bryant-Denny. Florida and Penn State are in states of rebuilding right now and I expect we can win those without much of a scare. Mississippi State, however, will be a very tough road game.

I think the West truly comes down to Alabama vs. LSU. Arkansas will challenge but fall short, and Mississippi State is still short on talent. Ole Miss and Auburn will bring up the rear.

Agreed on the offensive line. I think Jeff Stoutland is doing a tremendous job with that group. He looks like a very intense guy and great teacher. We have the talent in place to be good just need to stay healthy. I think Arie Kouandjio and Alfred McCullough will be two key backups this year. Cyrus Kouandjio could end up playing too for all we know but I am very hesitant about putting a true freshman against experienced SEC players.

 

[bamaman07]

i agree other than Auburn, they might go 4-8.

I think they'll finish anywhere between 4-8 or 7-5. They'll have to have a lot of injury luck as well as in game luck to win 7 or 8 games with their personnell losses.

 

[TRU]

Remember that last year this time no one picked Auburn to finish better than 4th in the SEC West. I personally think that no one has any idea how good Auburn will be next year. As we speak, Trooper is running around with bags of Mr. Lowder's money trying to buy as many juco thugs as he can for next year. Who knows if he'll find another Fairley or Scam? I think that Auburn is an big unknown until we see what sort of trash Trooper dumps on the Plain next August.