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SEC West in 2011

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bamaman07

1st Team
Nov 20, 2010
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How good is this division ? Absolutely insane. I think this is easily the toughest division in college football. You have the past two national champions (Alabama and Auburn) as well as LSU who won it in 2007. Arkansas went to a BCS bowl game last year and Mississippi State pummelled Michigan in a bowl game and won nine games. Ole Miss should bounce back from a losing season in 2010. Houston Nutt always seems to have teams who come out of nowhere to have a big season. Not saying they will have a great year but they could suprise some people. Here's how I see the division this year:

1. Alabama (11-1, possibly 12-0 record)
2. LSU (10-2, possibly 12-0 record)
3. Arkansas (9-3 record)
4. Miss. State (8-4 record)
5. Auburn (7-5 record, could be worse)
6. Ole Miss (6-6 record could be better)

I think Auburn, Miss. State and Arkansas are the teams to watch. I think any of the three could finish between 3-5 though I don't see Auburn having the greatest chance with their personnell losses and schedule. They could be in for a big fall with the inexperience and tough schedule. Ole Miss could suprise some people with Nutt feeling the heat coming off a losing year. Alabama and LSU are clearly the top two teams. I'm glad Bama gets them at home this year.
 
That about sums it up for me. Looking at it on paper, either Alabama or LSU should be in ATL vying for a spot in the NC game. However, since it's not played on paper...let's me just say I'm very glad we have Ark in Tuscaloosa this year.
 
The West proved to be the toughest division in the nation last year when 5 of the 6 teams finished in the Top 25. This year looks to be no different; 4 or 5 of the 6 should be ranked after the bowls.
 
The SEC west will be a meat grinder again.

Call me a homer, but I don't see Arkansas with 3 losses. The hogs will field their deepest and most athletic team since joining the SEC.

They have a favorable schedule with 3 road games at Alabama,LSU and Ole Miss. I believe the top 3 will be Alabama,LSU and Arkansas but it's coin flip.

I don't think the LSU offense will improve enough to take the west.

From where I sit, it's too early to tell on the Alabama offense. I think it will be a down year for the TIde O, but the defense and great recruiting will be the great equalizer.

I believe the Arkansas offense will be better than most expect. Tyler Wilson is a talented QB and brings much needed mobility to the QB position. The big concern here, the hogs will be breaking in new tackles on both ends of the o-line. They will have to go up quick. Reports out of spring drills have been encouraging. This year, Arkansas will go as far as their defense takes.

One thing is for sure, the 2011 SEC race will be fun to watch.
 
I think Arkansas will be in a position athletically and depth wise to be the "Auburn" of 2011 without the Scam of Cam element. As our swine visitor above stated Arkansas will be fielding probably the most athletic and deepest team since joining the SEC. They should be very, very good. The west is going to be a nightmare this season.
 
BAMA1979 said:
I won't be surprised if Tyler Wilson plays at least as well Mallett. He certainly can't make more mistakes.
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I agree with this. Actually, I expect Wilson to do better than Mallett. Mallett was a headcase. Too many mistakes. His late-game interception to lose the Sugar Bowl was inexplicable.

Arky finishes third in the SECW behind Bama & LSU. In any normal conference they'd be the odds-on favorite to win it. Bama & LSU fans should be pleased we catch Arky in Tuscaloosa & Baton Rouge.
 
bamaman07 said:
Here's how I see the division this year:

1. Alabama (11-1, possibly 12-0 record)
2. LSU (10-2, possibly 12-0 record)
3. Arkansas (9-3 record)
4. Miss. State (8-4 record)
5. Auburn (7-5 record, could be worse)
6. Ole Miss (6-6 record could be better)
Click to expand...

Pretty much agree...
I think MissSt is the team to watch that could sneak up and be pretty good. Arky is replacing their qb but should be solid overall, just don't think they're in Bama or LSU's league for top spot...that third spot is either Arky or MissSt., imo.
 
BamaFossil said:
I agree with this. Actually, I expect Wilson to do better than Mallett. Mallett was a headcase. Too many mistakes. His late-game interception to lose the Sugar Bowl was inexplicable.

Arky finishes third in the SECW behind Bama & LSU. In any normal conference they'd be the odds-on favorite to win it. Bama & LSU fans should be pleased we catch Arky in Tuscaloosa & Baton Rouge.
Click to expand...

this mirrors my thoughts exactly. well said.
 
Even if Bama, LSU and the Pigs are about equally talented, I really think the schedule swings in our favor this year. Unless Penn State turns out to be much better than expected, our only real big road test comes at UF and with their coaching and scheme changes, I feel we'll be favored.

LSU has to go to MSU, UT, Lil Sis, and Bama.

Two reasons why I think the Pigs won't win the west: Sept. 24 @ Bama and Nov. 26 @ LSU.
 
SimplePig said:
The SEC west will be a meat grinder again.

Call me a homer, but I don't see Arkansas with 3 losses. The hogs will field their deepest and most athletic team since joining the SEC.

They have a favorable schedule with 3 road games at Alabama,LSU and Ole Miss. I believe the top 3 will be Alabama,LSU and Arkansas but it's coin flip.

I don't think the LSU offense will improve enough to take the west.

From where I sit, it's too early to tell on the Alabama offense. I think it will be a down year for the TIde O, but the defense and great recruiting will be the great equalizer.

I believe the Arkansas offense will be better than most expect. Tyler Wilson is a talented QB and brings much needed mobility to the QB position. The big concern here, the hogs will be breaking in new tackles on both ends of the o-line. They will have to go up quick. Reports out of spring drills have been encouraging. This year, Arkansas will go as far as their defense takes.

One thing is for sure, the 2011 SEC race will be fun to watch.
Click to expand...

I totally disagree about the potential for Alabama's offense. If Bama can sign Duron Carter (and it looks like we will) then the receiving corps will be in good hands. Darius Hanks and Marquis Maze return and both are experienced, talented, fifth year senior players. The only question marks are left tackle and QB. Both positions have very talented players competing for the starting spots though. Bama is loaded at RB with Richardson, Lacy, Hart and company. The tight ends are going to be very good with Michael Williams, Brian Vogler and Harrison Jones. The line returns four starters and has great quality depth with several guys who can come off the bench in a snap. I personally believe AJ McCarron will be the starting QB and he is a very talented player. 6-4, 215 and has a big arm. He certainly looks the part. Whoever the QB is, we will have the talent around him to be successful and the coaching is obviously there. The defense speaks for itself. We had 10 new starters last year and still ended up top 5 nationally in stats. We have more experience and depth on that side this year. Personally, I believe Alabama will field the best defense in the nation this year and it might not be close. Our team speed is also better than I have ever seen. We have accumulated a ton of speed on both sides of the ball. I like Arkansas and they will always be a dangerous team with Petrino's offense. Wilson reminds me a lot of McElroy. He isn't a big time talent like Mallett but he's still very good and seems to be more of a game manager. I love your WRs and Knile Davis. Replacing DJ Williams at tight end will be tough. I'm glad that game (as well as LSU and Tennessee) are in Tuscaloosa this year.
 
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SimplePig said:
I don't think the LSU offense will improve enough to take the west.

From where I sit, it's too early to tell on the Alabama offense. I think it will be a down year for the TIde O, but the defense and great recruiting will be the great equalizer.
Click to expand...

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.
 
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